Thanks Boston University Alumni Association for hosting us and broadcasting our webinar, The Secret To Thriving At Work – A Positive Psychology Approach

In this webinar you will learn

• How happiness is essential for success.
• How you can shift your mindset.
• The strategies that happy people practice.

Our hope for this webinar is that you will learn how positively shifting your mindset can help you see possibility where you didn’t see it before.

Click here to watch now.

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If you think of starting a business as a journey, with success (however you define it) as the endpoint, then its a smart idea to create a “road map” to your destination. Crafting a roadmap is the very first step for launching any business be it the next GOOGLE or your idea for selling hand-crafted sweaters for dogs.

Consider spending some quality time mapping out a detailed vision for success as well as the first practical steps as to how to get there. Crafting a roadmap to success can be done by simply asking yourself the following questions:

What is your vision for success?

What is your specific, focused, exciting, positive, descriptive vision of what success look like, feels like, and even smells like? To play off the “starting your business as journey metaphor”, a vision is an emotionally charged, visual image of the final destination of your journey or what success looks like to you.

Here is a great example of a compelling vision from one of our clients:

“I am the owner of a boutique marketing communications company that specializes in political campaigns and crisis management for select clients. I am working in a natural light filled office, with large windows overlooking Boston Harbor. It furnished with a funky modern yet warm esthetic and my office door opens to a suite of offices where my employees work.

I have an incredibly talented staff of 12 employees who are committed to our vision of providing the cost effective, high quality communications and marketing service in New England. We love coming to work because each day is filled with vibrant creative projects, grateful clients, and exciting new challenges.  I make $150,000 doing work I love.”

You will know when you have crafted a great vision when you feel thrilled reading it.

Who is your market? Who is your ideal client?

If you do not specifically identify who it is that you want to attract, you will spend precious energy either attracting no one, or marketing to the wrong people.

What are you really selling?

And more importantly, why would people buy this? The business jargon for this question is “What is your value proposition?” Consider how are you or your product going to solve someone’s problem or make their life better?

How will you organize your business to accomplish the work?

Are you going to work 24/7 or something a little more balanced? Who is going to do what? What skills, equipment, facilities do you need to accomplish your goals?

How will you get the word out and sell your product or service?

What are the ways that your “ideal” client will find out about you and make them want to buy it?

How will you manage the finances?

Will you be using sticky notes taped to your computer, Quicken or a book keeper/accountant?

When we work with clients, we spend alot of time thinking about very clear vision of success. This vision is the most important element because it drives the rest of the details of your road map. Once you have a clear road map to where you are going, you may want to take it one step further and create a business plan. There are fabulous free resources that provide excellent templates for business plans. Business plans can be quite simple, and they can be updated and changed as your business grows and develops.

If you have a great idea, its worth the time and energy to map out the path to making your dream a reality – your road map to success.

The post Ready To Be Your Own Boss? Expert Advice On Starting Your Own Business appeared first on DKS Consulting Group.

Here are some tips for getting the word out about your new vision:

Share it with everyone.  This may see obvious, but for some people, it’s very difficult.  Some new business owners we work with tell us that  it feels “braggy” or self-absorbed to be talking about their new idea, business, or direction.  But, you need to let people know that you have started a new venture, because people will want to help you achieve your vision.

Here is are two examples of different phrases you can say that will engage people in your vision without overdoing the self-promotion.  In response to the question, “So, what have you been up to?” , you can say,

“I am so busy!  I have launched a new business that  provides elder-care services for aging seniors so they can stay in their homes.  It has been so fulfilling to use my nursing skills in a new way.”

or

“I just turned my love of collecting nature-based homegoods into a new business called, “Simple Pleasures”.  I have been having such a blast exploring potential retail space, getting my marketing materials together, and finally launching my dream of owning store.”

Just switch the specifics to your own, and you have a great way to share your vision.

Tell Your Story

Everyone loves a personal story. Be prepared to talk about the inspiration for your new business and what you imagine it will look like when it becomes a reality.  If your vision grew out of a personal struggle, share that.  It shows that you are resilient and can push through when the going gets tough.

Ask People Directly to Help You

Share your vision by letting people know specifically how they can help you.  If you are ready for customers, let people know what kind of referrals you are looking for.  When you share your vision with friends, ask them to “like” your Facebook business page.  Be specific about what you need, and you will be surprised at the results.

A clear compelling vision moves your business forward and you need to communicate it to everyone you know.

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