Are You Connected?

At the beginning of this month, we discussed getting unstuck from your organizational chart and looking at your business from a strategic point of view.   In order to lead from a strategic point of view, you must know where your business is headed.  As a business owner, you've probably been told that you need to have a clear vision.  In fact, many of you probably have a written vision statement....somewhere.

Having a vision statement is simply the first step.  If your vision statement lives in a drawer, a dusty old binder, or even an unused electronic file, then you you might as well not have it.  A vision, is only as good as its use.  In order to truly lead from a strategic point of view, you have to make sure that your employees connected to your vision, starting today.  Here are three questions you should ask about how well everyone in your company is connected to your vision:

• If asked could all your employees tell you the vision for your business?  Every single person in your organization should know what your vision is and how they play a role in achieving that vision.  They need to be able to see your vision, but more so they need to get excited and buy-into your vision.    
   
• How often do you revisit your vision?  As a business owner, we know you're thinking about your business all the time. Reconnecting with your vision on an ongoing basis ensures you're not letting all the distractions cloud your point of view.  At the very least you should read and evaluate your progress to your vision quarterly, if not more often.    
   
• When you make decisions, do you take your vision statement into consideration?  You make decisions all the time.  Some decisions are quick and easy, others might need detailed consideration.  It's easy to get moving so fast, you don't have time to stop and think about how your decisions impact your overall vision.  Before making your decisions, big and small, take a moment and ask yourself, is this moving us closer to our vision?