I believe the them in the online marketing world of 2007 will be ‘run a business’. It seems everyone is talking about how to run your online efforts more like a business than a hobby.
But really – is that relevant – and is it the correct focus for you?
I think it comes down to your vision. Now many people talk about vision statements and mission statements, goals, dreams etc. But really getting a hold of what these esoteric concepts are is the tough part.
Let’s stick with Vision and Vison Statement.
I think a business does need a Vision Statement. The problem comes when it is created by the business mind rather than the personal mind.
Too many entrepreneurs start thinking with their business mind and come up with some ideological Vision Statement that they think will work for their business, be ‘consumer friendly, and makes them feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
But that doesn’t work! You gotta be totally honest when coming up with your Vision Statement. And it has to relate directly to your personal vision – where you want to be, how you want to be perceived, what you want out of life.
So if you want to drive a Lamborgini, have a beach house, and take a cruise every other month, you cannot have a business Vision Statement that says I want to help people succeed online. Helping people succeed online can be part of that Vision Statement, but not all of it.
Now let’s get away from seeing big $$$ signs. Many people think that is what they want, but really they do not dig deep enough. Often it is security and peace of mind that is more important.
Another big one is keeping up with the Jones. They don’t need a lear Jet, but having a new SUV parked out front would sure make the neighbors jealous and you happy.
But even deeper, it is about self-respect and self-esteem. Now these are tough concepts, and I don’t profess to be an expert in this area. But suffice it to say that the physical wants and desires are usually manifested by internal feelings that we cannot quite communicate in a straight forward way. So we go about trying to acquire what will hopefully give us the feeling of Self-respect and improve our self-esteem. It works at times, but not all the time.
Still others are driven by success. And that fuels further success. They want to be the biggest, open a new division, another store, add products, have bigger product launches, be the guru to the guru.
As you can see, there are many personal visions that drive people. That is the first step in really working towards a Business Vision Statement – find out what drives you.
Because if you want passion and heart in your business, if you want to love what you do every day, if you want to be proud of your business, if you want truly great success – you need to find that personal vision, and build a business that matches – that is how to create a Business Vision Statement.
Next post will be on refining that Business Vision Statement.
Onward and Upward,
Jack
