Why do entrepreneurs need a strategic vision?
Research has shown that successful entrepreneurs create visions of the future, which inspires others to get involved in the venture. As an entrepreneur leading a start-up it is important to have these discussions about “blueprinting your strategic architecture” today.
Entrepreneurial success depends on the ability to think strategically, have a clear strategic vision, and achieve results quickly. Richard Siegelman, general partner at Kleiner Perkins, probes to find out how people got together and what motivates them as a group. He asks, “Is there a shared vision and culture?”
According to Siegelman, “Some people may have strong technical dreams, and others may be completely different-a warning signal.” Learn how you can focus on, and achieve long-term entrepreneurial success. Success depends on the ability to think strategically and achieve results quickly.
Howard Schultz, founder and CEO of Starbucks Coffee, says, “Vision is what they call it when others can’t see what you see.”
Entrepreneurs are those with a distinct vision or keen insight to an opportunity and drive it to its endpoint. Such a strategic focus is important because it fuels the persistence required to bring opportunities to fruition once they are recognized as relevant.
Also, employees “will go above and beyond the call of duty to help accomplish far-reaching goals.” Your strategic intent is based on your vision and focus. It is what you see your venture will be doing in the future, and what it should be doing today in order to get there.
Think of what Jack Nicklaus, one of the most successful golfers of all time, said: “I never missed a putt in my mind.” You need to be pursuing a certain long-term strategic objective that you have in your mind, and concentrate strategic actions and resources on achieving that objective.
And as Jeffrey Abrahams points out in The Mission Statement Book, “Companies are like people. They need a mission.” Abrahams cites Gene Roddenberry’s mission statement for the Star Trek TV series: “Space, the Final Frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: To explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.”