|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interestingly, the word vision can be interchangeable with the word passion.
But small business owners often forget to promote the true reason for being in business. They've lost touch with their passionate vision.
Passion is defined as an intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction. Vision means unusual discernment or foresight - a person of vision.
Our vision (passion) is that intense driving conviction of unusual foresight that involves people in our story.
It is an authentic story because it comes from our heart. It's the reason we do what we do. And authentic stories are how we persuade people to use our service or product (ideas) over many other choices.
But for a majority of people in small business, vision is lost somewhere between starting the business and dealing with the day-to-day challenges and opportunities that arise.
Ask Yourself This Question
Why did you go into business in the first place?
Like many people, you probably got started with a vision you felt passionate about. Somewhere along the line you fell victim to day-to-day, reactive thinking and never returned to your original business vision. It became diluted and never rose from the ashes again.
What Can I Do to Rediscover My Vision?
Remembering the reason you started your business is the first step. Follow the action steps below to rediscover it.
Next, tell people the story of how you got started and why you love what you do. That story should be on your marketing collateral, web site, sales presentations and phone messages.
Passion is that single, illusive thing that attracts clients. Passion helps you stand out from other businesses who are selling rather than telling a "passionate, authentic story about a unique business vision".
Action Steps to Develop Your Vision
1. Create an Authentic Vision Story. Start by considering the reason you started your business in the first place. Think back, when you first started out, what were you excited about?
2. Write down one sentence that tells the value you provide to others. This is the true reason anyone is in business.
3. Next, write down your competitive advantage. How are you different than the competition?
4. List single sentence statements that tell people your identity. Remember, image is dead. Clients and prospects need a strong authentic identity to understand exactly who you are and what you stand for.
5. Add your niche to this list. What single group of people do you best serve?
6. List the type of client you most enjoy working with. Include both professional and personal qualities. Understand who your ideal client is.
7. Weave the 6 points above into a compelling story.
8. Memorize that story. Focus on your ideal client only. Tell every ideal prospect you talk to this week your Authentic Vision Story.
9. The results will surprise you. Your prospects will seem more receptive. Your clients will be more willing to help you spread the word.
Follow these steps and you are guaranteed to find more enjoyment in your business.
© Copyright 2005, Bill Gluth, Develop Your Vision, All Rights Reserved.
Bill Gluth is the motivator of focused change. He is the first to specialize in teaching small business owners how to be extraordinary in a commodity driven world.
Since starting Develop Your Vision in 2001, Bill has helped business owners achieve balance, satisfaction and profit with freedom by understanding the unique "vision" that sets one business apart from their competition.
Bill teaches strategies that turn dreams and goals into accomplishments by successfully reaching tightly defined niche markets using inexpensive, creative, Human Touch ideas and methods.
To find out more about Bill Gluth, Develop Your Vision, visit his website at http://www.developyourvision.com or his Blog at http://www.billgluth.com.


Over the years I have experienced some amazing results with people who have been secure enough to view their leadership or personal capacity through the eyes of... Read More
Do you find yourself amazed at how quickly the months pass? Do you find yourself in a small panic over all you know you have to do... Read More
When it comes to achieving accomplishments there are two foundational actions that must take place. When these two actions take place, and take place in the right... Read More
We all have dreams and goals. Some of them are simply "wishes", like winning the lottery or sailing to Tahiti. But we also have goals that are... Read More
Journal Your 100 Life GoalsBy Doreene Clementwww.the5yearjournal.cominfo@the5yearjournal.comRecording and tracking your 100 Life Goals in a journal is a powerful tool that can add to your personal and... Read More
Every great success story begins when a person makes a decision to do something or not to do something. They make a clear decision to make a... Read More
Let me try something new but please, please, please, let me do it right and well the first time. If we always do things well, always do... Read More
"In any and every given moment of your life, you are either in command of yourself? or you are being commanded." -Guy Finley, AuthorIt pays to learn,... Read More
At this point in time you have an opportunity to really analyze your life. Where you are right now and where you want to be in the... Read More
Your business can't go according to plan if you have no plan.What do you want to achieve this year? More new customers per week? Higher average order... Read More
What is the right thing I need to do to bring forth my desires?What actions do I need to take Now?Am I doing the right thing or... Read More
I remember watching an NBA Basketball Game on t.v one night. The Miami Heat were playing the New Orleans Hornets. Miami was all over them yet when... Read More
The alarm goes off at 6am, you roll out of bed and run down the hall to wake up the kids. You're going to be late again!... Read More
If the 90s British pop sensation 'the Spice Girls' ever get remembered for anything, I hope it's for bringing the question 'now tell me what you want,... Read More
1. Duke (Edward Kennedy) Ellington (1899-1974) American Composer Bandleader and Pianist"A goal is a dream that has an ending."2. Napoleon Hill"A goal is a dream with a... Read More
At the beginning of the year, there's often an orgy of goal setting. People get into a collective frenzy about setting personal and professional goals.Traditional goal setting... Read More
4. Start somewhere (put to use what you already have)"Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action." -Benjamin Disraeli"There is nothing more... Read More
Have you ever heard someone say, I could do it if I could just set my mind to it. Have you ever uttered these words, even just... Read More
Knowing yourself is the foundation of self-esteem, self confidence and personal development. Man has been seeking himself since the days of the Oracle of Delphi. "Know yourself"... Read More
In a nutshell... YES!I've given a lot of thought recently to the power of 'resolutions' ? to that basic human instinct that continually drives us to improve... Read More
Many have goals, but few reach them all. Businesses like sports teams aspire to making goals (gaining points) to earn rewards. Are your goals clichéd with being... Read More
6.Recognise that all vision has seasonal components within it· Vision takes on many forms and expressions.I have watched four of my children grow from being dependent upon... Read More
I guess I found some hot buttons last week eh? Thanks for a week full of real good feedback.That being the case I'd like to follow along... Read More
Have you ever put all your eggs in one basket? Have you ever had so much riding on one big break that if it didn't happen you... Read More
Are you having trouble achieving your goals, or getting through a period of no success? Then take the time to learn how to set SMART goals. Specific,... Read More
Ever notice when you start a new hobby or fall in love with a new shrub or flower you start to see it everywhere? This isn't necessarily... Read More
Nothing gets done unless an action is completed. Everything we do is an action step. Of course some are so routine they don't really need to be... Read More
Over time I have come to realize that the three most important subjects in the world to man are sex, property and religion. By the first we... Read More
The New Year is quickly creeping up on us. Do you have a New Year's Resolution? Well, if you're like most Americans (88 percent in 2001 according... Read More
-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --Much has been written about achieving your goals. For the Solo Entrepreneur, pursuing goals can be an even bigger challenge than... Read More
"I think I know how bank robbers feel as they wait for tellers to stuff their bounty into a satchel. . . . I damn near giggled... Read More
You know that old saying -- if you don't know where you're going, any path will get you there. That's what happens if you don't take the... Read More
The goal-setting process enables an organization to check on the attainment of both its short-term and long-term objectives. When properly done, this process provides an array of... Read More
1. Schedule a specific time and day to work on the goal ? just as if it were an appointment. Don't just wait for "someday" to work... Read More
Welcome to Weekly Wisdoms. Last week I found a new way to communicate over the internet with audio. After you listen, if you'd like to try it... Read More
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and it annoys the pig. ? Mark TwainWonderful analogy to prove a powerful point ?... Read More
WHY DO WE NEED GOALS?Goals give you direction in all areas of your life Personal, Career, Spiritual, Material, and Contribution. Goals give you a purpose in life.... Read More
Easy Steps for Goal SettingGoal setting is the true secret to success in any area of life. Setting your goals may seem simple, achieving them usually is... Read More
Occasionally when I talk with people about goals they seem to interpret the intention of goals as being to get more things. Naturally things are important but... Read More
"One aught never to turn one's back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger.... Read More
Journal Your 100 Life GoalsBy Doreene Clementwww.the5yearjournal.cominfo@the5yearjournal.comRecording and tracking your 100 Life Goals in a journal is a powerful tool that can add to your personal and... Read More
All goals take time to accomplish. But most people are impatient. All really worthwhile objectives involve work, and sacrifice, maybe even pain! But most people HATE pain.... Read More
5.Submit it to good leaders (accountability breeds stability and security)· Vision is always too much for one man / woman to handle (bodyOne of the key reasons... Read More
The three keys to living without limits have always been the same. They are clarity, competence, and concentration. Goal setting will help you live without limits. Learning... Read More
4. Start somewhere (put to use what you already have)"Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action." -Benjamin Disraeli"There is nothing more... Read More
What do u wanna be when you grow up?" " I don't wanna grow up"!! How lovely it would be if we don't grow up and be... Read More
I wonder if anyone really reads long stuff from Ezines except for the juicy and interesting ones but I am one of those few who painstakingly reads... Read More
In this short article I'd like to discuss a certain kind of belief that holds many people - people who are quite capable and talented - back... Read More
Whatever you want in life, you have far more chance of achieving it if you set a clear goal, written down, with a definite time scale.For example,... Read More
Do you like your life the way it is? Would you like to change some, or all of it? Well, here's good news: You can be whatever... Read More
When deciding to write this article, I decided that I wanted to show all the things that not just getting in shape, but accomplishing something extraordinary, can... Read More
Most of us are regularly exposed to information offering get rich quick schemes and ways to make our fortune for little or even no effort. This is... Read More