I\u2019ve 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.\u00a0 That philosophy is based on my experiences with public and private organizations large and small.\u00a0 It recognizes that there is more to an organization than strategy, systems, and structure.\u00a0 Those components are essential drivers of performance, but two other components are also essential; culture, and people.\u00a0 That philosophy becomes part of the culture, the conceptual foundation or cornerstone of your business and it edifies people, the capstone of your business.<\/p>\n
Before you start writing or rewriting your business plan and strategy, mold the cornerstone of your business.\u00a0 Document your purpose, both mission and vision.\u00a0 Define your guiding values, principles, and philosophy.\u00a0 List your core competencies, those that you have, and those that you need so you can deliver on your purpose.\u00a0 Include your gifts, talents, passions, and experiences; those resident not just in you, but in your partners, employees, and leaders.<\/p>\n
Your objective with framing this cornerstone is buy-in, mindshare, perhaps even a bit (maybe a lot) of faith.\u00a0 Think about this as more than a business, think of it as something you are called to do.\u00a0 Think of it as a personal or collective ministry revolving around the purpose you are defining.\u00a0 Think of it as an investment not only of your body and mind, but also your heart and soul.\u00a0 You want this business to be something that will stand the test of time, something that you want to be doing even if you\u2019re exhausted, wiped out, something that your partners, leaders, and employees can identify with, something to which they can give their best.<\/p>\n
This foundation document describes not only what you want to do with the organization, but what you believe in.\u00a0 If you describe it well, you\u2019ll demonstrate your own commitment, and invite other people to join you.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
Do a good job on this foundation; build it on rock, not sand.\u00a0 It\u2019s one of the most important \u201cbetter business basics\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I\u2019ve 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.\u00a0 That philosophy is based on my experiences with public and private organizations large and small.\u00a0 It recognizes that there is more … Continue reading A Firm Foundation for Your Business<\/span>