In the modern world, we don’t go anywhere without a GPS. In the modern business world, we won’t go anywhere without a clear vision.
A clear vision is your compass. It not only informs your customers exactly what they can expect from your business or service, but it can inspire your employees to follow you on the path to success. The challenge of a clear vision, however, is like staring at a blank sheet of paper—it’s full of opportunity, but also some inherent anxiety.
How will I get customers? How will they find me? Is my location good enough? Is my service unique in my niche? What are my goals for the next month, quarter, year?
The key to refining your vision is starting small and building out. Let’s explore the power of clear vision and some tips on how to craft one that inspires trust and loyalty in those around you.
What is Your North Star?
A common term you’ll hear in the world of business and start-ups is “finding your North Star.” Just like a captain sailing a night, the North Star for your business is the absolute goal.
This is the unchanging objective.
When I started a fitness gym focused on High-Intensity-Interval-Training (HIIT) workouts, my North Star was simple. I wanted to help people better themselves through fitness. That means with every choice I made, whether the products I offered in-house, the equipment on the “floor”, and food services or supplement companies I partnered with, every decision served that goal. It was my North Star, and if it wasn’t leading toward that star, it the wrong direction.
How to Create a Vision You Can Accomplish
The value of having a North Star in your business is that everyone around you knows exactly what you’re about. Your customers know what you’re there for, and your employees or coworkers fully understand your mindset. Because of that, there are far less surprises.
The path to creating a clear vision begins with that blank sheet. In the center, you have your North Star. Around it, the connecting branches and other lights you need to guide you.
The line to toe is between ambitious and achievable. Begin by asking yourself what your ultimate goal would be, and what small steps need to be taken to get there. If it’s to get more customers, what are your avenues? Is it an email marketing campaign, utilizing social media, face-to-face sales, or partnering with brand ambassadors?
In your particular realm and industry, who are the markers of success? What are they doing? The only way to know: research. Their once-blank pages are now filled—what’s on them?
Tips for Crafting a Clear Vision – the Three I’s
Now, let’s briefly go over the Three I’s of crafting your vision:
1. Introspection:
This is where every successful business owner begins. It’s when they look deep inside and see what drives them, what they’re passionate about, and what tools they already have that they can utilize. Introspection is about being honest, but also understanding that passion is half the battle when it comes to business. You can be passionate about anything, but you have to be smart and plan ahead for a business. This is where you find your North Star.
2. Inspiration:
Whatever your business, someone has done something like it before. You may have a unique idea or product or service, but we’ve had a long history of marketing unique ideas and products and services. The key in this stage is exploring the businesses and leaders around you that inspire you and your goals. It’s seeing how they started, the pitfalls they fell into, and what they did to end up as the success story you’re reading about. This stage is unique to your own goals, but it’s vital to understanding the market you hope to enter.
3. Implementation:
Finally, with your North Star clear and your inspirations accounted for, you’re ready to implement what you know. This is where all your skills, goals, and the power of your vision come into play. Has what you’ve done in the planning stages been enough to inspire loyalty in your employees and trust in your customers?
Propel Your Vision Forward
No matter your business, we all need help reaching the audience we hope to. Whether by creating a brand people can trust, crafting campaigns to focus your market, or partnering with groups like Smart Circle, which specialize in face-to-face marketing and sales. Experts in the arena can guide you on customer acquisition and sales objectives, generate promising leads, and produce a high marketing ROI.
Crafting a clear vision is crafting the foundation of your business. It’s your path to refined strategies and unprecedented success. It’s your North Star, and only you know where it leads.
Read more about Your Guide to Outsourcing Marketing and Sales
