I’ve spent some time sharing with you a philosophy that I believe can lay the foundation for success in any organization, from large for-profit corporations and non-profit charities, to the small or home-based business.  That philosophy is based on my experiences with public and private organizations large and small.  It recognizes that there is more to an organization than strategy, systems, and structure.  Those components are essential drivers of performance, but two other components are also essential; culture, and people.  That philosophy becomes part of the culture, the conceptual foundation or cornerstone of your business and it edifies people, the capstone of your business.

Before you start writing or rewriting your business plan and strategy, mold the cornerstone of your business.  Document your purpose, both mission and vision.  Define your guiding values, principles, and philosophy.  List your core competencies, those that you have, and those that you need so you can deliver on your purpose.  Include your gifts, talents, passions, and experiences; those resident not just in you, but in your partners, employees, and leaders.

Your objective with framing this cornerstone is buy-in, mindshare, perhaps even a bit (maybe a lot) of faith.  Think about this as more than a business, think of it as something you are called to do.  Think of it as a personal or collective ministry revolving around the purpose you are defining.  Think of it as an investment not only of your body and mind, but also your heart and soul.  You want this business to be something that will stand the test of time, something that you want to be doing even if you’re exhausted, wiped out, something that your partners, leaders, and employees can identify with, something to which they can give their best.

This foundation document describes not only what you want to do with the organization, but what you believe in.  If you describe it well, you’ll demonstrate your own commitment, and invite other people to join you.  It will become their mission and vision, it will mesh with their values and principles, it will motivate and inspire them to perform up to their potential, helping you and your organization achieve its full potential.

Do a good job on this foundation; build it on rock, not sand.  It’s one of the most important “better business basics”.