Getting back to my philosophy of business (which you are welcome to adopt) this seems like a pretty obvious answer.\u00a0 Your organization should be purpose driven because it is your reason for being in business to begin with! \u00a0Your purpose is \u201cwhat\u201d you do.\u00a0 People centered, servant led, values focused, community friendly, and environmentally responsible are the \u201chow\u201d you do it.\u00a0 Without the \u201cwhat\u201d, there is no reason for the \u201chow\u201d.<\/p>\n
Purpose is where your business activities begin.\u00a0 When you have clarity about your purpose you can define it in a mission statement, and expand it in a vision statement.\u00a0 Your purpose becomes the fundamental element of your strategy and business plan.\u00a0 With a clearly defined purpose you can identify the processes and resources necessary to deliver it, the structure required to support it, and the skill sets or competencies to execute it. \u00a0In other words, if you have established a firm foundation for your organization, a key driver of performance, you can more effectively define the other four key performance drivers and enhance your chances for success.<\/p>\n
Purpose should drive every decision you make about your business.\u00a0 If you let it drive those decisions you will avoid wrong choices in your business plan; you will keep irrelevant and self-justifying processes from sneaking in to your operations; your structure will fit your processes; and the people you hire will bring with them the relevant competencies to execute the mission.<\/p>\n
Let me go a little further and offer an observation about defining your purpose.\u00a0 It\u2019s not about making money.\u00a0 Oh, really?\u00a0 Yes, really; think about it for a minute.\u00a0 If you define your purpose as making money, how does that help you make decisions about business plan, resources, processes, and people?\u00a0 It\u2019s a rather lame purpose that doesn\u2019t give you any direction.\u00a0 Money is much more useful when it is identified as a resource for accomplishing your purpose, and a measure of your success in delivering on your purpose.\u00a0 Remember, it\u2019s not money that\u2019s the root of evil; it\u2019s the \u201clove of money\u201d.\u00a0 Use money as a tool, not as a purpose.<\/p>\n
What about defining your purpose around filling an individual\u00a0or collective need in the marketplace?\u00a0 When you identify\u00a0a specific need to be\u00a0filled you have greater clarity about the core competencies, resources, and processes necessary to carry it out.\u00a0 If you are the business owner, that need should be\u00a0relevant to your own gifts, talents, passions, and core competencies so it will serve as motivation\u00a0and provide a source of strength and confidence for your efforts.<\/p>\n
So make sure your organization is purpose driven.\u00a0 It will keep your decisions focused on \u201cthe right stuff\u201d, conserve your resources, motivate you and your people, and enhance your possibilities of success.<\/p>\n
Next up, why you need to be a \u201ccommunity friendly\u201d organization.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Getting back to my philosophy of business (which you are welcome to adopt) this seems like a pretty obvious answer.\u00a0 Your organization should be purpose driven because it is your reason for being in business to begin with! \u00a0Your purpose is \u201cwhat\u201d you do.\u00a0 People centered, servant led, values focused, community friendly, and environmentally responsible … Continue reading Why Should Your Organization Be Purpose Driven?<\/span>