Sunday, July 17, 2011

Going Into Own Business For The Right Reasons

I have recently observed many managers quitting the corporate job for their vision of starting their own Company. Right or wrong, the future will tell. They have to be sure they do not join the entrepreneurship world just because of their need to achieve bigger personal freedom, money or fame. Or because they think they have no other choice and look for an easy escape. These internal, personally driven reasons for launching a start-up are wrong. They are predetermined for failure.
For creating the next big thing an entrepreneur must have dreams that are externally driven, focused around improving customers´ well-being. Only those succeed in the longer term, who look at the outside opportunities thinking about how to best seize them in a unique way. Only those succeed who are making meaningful products and services, who bring the future closer towards the present time. Only those succeed, who are passionate about changing the status quo, about improving the quality of lives of people on this planet.
Formalized Companies purposes bring the visions down to the Earth – for customers, potential employees, business partners or investors. Leaders, who are able to make the purpose clear, inspiring and unique for the benefit of others, eventually surf on the wave of success. Freedom, money and fame come to them only as a bonus, afterwards.
The Company purpose formulation needs to be made prior launching of a new venture. It gives the direction. It guides the investments decision path. It helps customers to understand what the Company stands for, how does it fit in this world.
Starbucks rewards everyday moments. “Starbucks´mission is to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.” “Expect More than Coffee – we are a neighborhood gathering place, a part of daily routine.” (Source: Starbucks.com)
Coca-cola refreshes the world, inspires the moments of optimism and happiness, creates value and makes a difference. (Source: The Coca Cola Company 2020 Vision)
Apple was never about selling boxes to people to get their jobs done. As per Steve Jobs: “Apple at the core, it´s core value is, that we believe that people with passion can change the world for the better.” … “The goal was never to beat the competitor, or to make a lot of money, it was to do the greatest thing possible, or even a little greater.” (Source: You Tube)
Having the objective of giving a meaning to your Company still does not guarantee lifetime success, but it definitely gives a fulfillment coming from aiming for something more than ordinary, not for self, but for the others.
“In real life being an “entrepreneur” is not a job title. It is a state of mind of people, who want to change the future.“ - Guy Kawasaki
“You should carefully observe, where you heart leads you, then to choose this path and devote your maximum energy to it.” Hasidic proverb

No comments:

Post a Comment