We\u2019ve been talking in these early posts about Mission, Vision, Values, Principles, Competencies, Gifts, Talents, and Experience.\u00a0 This conceptual foundation we\u2019ve been building is the cornerstone of your business.\u00a0 Think of it as the heart and soul of your organization.\u00a0 Now it\u2019s time to start on the superstructure, or in human terms, the brains, muscle, bones, and blood of your business.\u00a0 In business terms we\u2019re working on the strategy, systems, structure, and people that provide a framework or superstructure and give life to your organization.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a reason for listing those components in that particular sequence and it relates to being a purpose driven organization.\u00a0 Without a purpose, there\u2019s no reason for the rest.\u00a0 With a purpose, we can identify our potential customers or market, define a strategy for delivering on our purpose, create the systems or processes essential to delivery, build the structure necessary to keep everything organized, and acquire and train, as necessary, the human resources necessary to make it all work.<\/p>\n
In my next series of posts we\u2019ll be concentrating on the strategy, or business plan, for your organization.<\/p>\n
In preparation, let\u2019s talk about the \u201cbusiness plan\u201d, starting with this advice, don\u2019t let it scare you!\u00a0 You may think of it as a whole bunch of numbers as in a budget, or a road map, or a loan application, or even a complete book on running your business.\u00a0 Well it can be all of those things, and more, and that\u2019s a good thing because, once you\u2019ve put it all together you\u2019ll be able to keep your processes and your people focused on delivering exactly what you\u2019re promising your customers and owners.\u00a0 You\u2019ll be able to use all of your resources wisely and effectively, keep costs in check, and, if successful, be rewarded with the profits, both financial and otherwise, from serving your purpose and achieving your goals.<\/p>\n
Your business plan is the opportunity to identify your long term objectives, the resources and processes you need, and the ways you\u2019ll recognize success; think of them as your personal and team success objectives.\u00a0 If your organization starts to lose its way, a quick check of the business plan should help get you back on track.<\/p>\n
Also, your business plan is where you start to make your organization\u2019s performance personal.\u00a0 With a clear and comprehensive plan, people can see where they fit, and what their part will be.\u00a0 They can begin to align themselves by defining their expectations of you and what they think you expect of them.\u00a0 And you can do the same.\u00a0 Every piece of your plan will require one or more actions on someone\u2019s part to make it happen.\u00a0 With your business plan as the source of all the tasks your organization will complete, and your conceptual foundation as the source of the behaviors you and your people will display, you\u2019ll have the critical building blocks of success in place.<\/p>\n
Next up, the essential components of your business plan!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We\u2019ve been talking in these early posts about Mission, Vision, Values, Principles, Competencies, Gifts, Talents, and Experience.\u00a0 This conceptual foundation we\u2019ve been building is the cornerstone of your business.\u00a0 Think of it as the heart and soul of your organization.\u00a0 Now it\u2019s time to start on the superstructure, or in human terms, the brains, muscle, … Continue reading Building on Your Foundation<\/span>