Vision is powerful. It drives athletes to compete at the highest levels and motivates explorers to conquer mountains. In business, it propels print resellers to land major accounts, incorporate new product lines, and launch into new markets.
Do you have a vision for your life or your business? If not, here are compelling reasons to get clear about it.
To Give Purpose
Why do we get out of bed every day beyond fulfilling orders and paying bills? Vision propels us forward and gives us purpose. Those with vision move quickly while others struggle to gain momentum.
To Clarify Next Steps
A clear vision becomes your North Star. When unsure of the next step, you can revisit your vision to chart the path forward.
If your vision is to become the leading provider of durable labels for industrial clients, for example, your next steps might include:
- Identifying suppliers with materials that withstand extreme temperatures and chemicals.
- Getting trained in industry compliance standards like UL or GHS.
- Building relationships with plant managers and safety coordinators who need labels that perform in harsh environments.
A clear vision gives you a clear action plan.
To Enlist Others
When your team – from customer service reps to your print vendor network – understands your vision, they can support it with ideas, suggestions and resources.
Imagine telling your team: “We’re going to become the trusted partner for schools and nonprofits who need affordable, high-quality forms and promotional items.” Now everyone understands why you’re building those relationships, and your vision – and passion – spreads.
To Contribute to Something Larger
At the end of our careers, what will we have accomplished? Was it all about hitting quotas and maximizing margins? If we had a vision of contributing to something larger (helping businesses grow, supporting community organizations, creating local jobs), we will have given our business meaning and purpose.
Consider the print reseller who envisions helping small pharmacies compete with larger chains through high-quality, reliable pharmaceutical labels. That reseller isn’t just selling labels. He’s supporting local businesses and economies, creating a positive ripple effect across the entire community.
To Ignite Passion
When we know what we want to achieve and have a clear sense of the steps to reach it, we ignite passion for the goal. Each milestone achieved (landing that anchor client, adding a new product category, hitting a revenue goal) motivates and inspires us and others to reach for the next step.
Your Turn
Do you have a clear vision for your print reselling business or your life? What value have you received from doing so? What value have you observed in others who do, as well?
Bill Prettyman is CEO of Wise, Alpharetta, GA. Wise manufacturers industrial/prime labels and tags, traditional forms, and digitally printed products and services for resale only. For more information, visit www.wbf.com or email Bill at [email protected].
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