How can you help business owners develop a long-term vision for their company?

1 Define the purpose

The first step to developing a long-term vision is to define the purpose of the business. Why does it exist? What value does it provide to its customers, employees, and society? What impact does it want to make in the world? By clarifying the purpose, you can help your clients align their vision with their core values and passions, and communicate it effectively to their stakeholders.

2 Envision the future

The next step is to envision the future of the business. What does your client want to achieve in the next 5, 10, or 20 years? How do they want to grow, innovate, and differentiate themselves from their competitors? What are the opportunities and threats that they need to consider? By imagining the future, you can help your clients create a realistic and ambitious vision that reflects their aspirations and potential.

3 Set the goals

The third step is to set the goals that will help your client realize their vision. What are the specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives that they need to accomplish? How will they track and evaluate their progress and performance? How will they celebrate their successes and learn from their failures? By setting the goals, you can help your clients translate their vision into action and accountability.

4 Identify the strategies

The fourth step is to identify the strategies that will help your client achieve their goals. What are the key actions, initiatives, and resources that they need to implement, prioritize, and allocate? How will they leverage their strengths, overcome their weaknesses, exploit their opportunities, and mitigate their risks? How will they adapt to changing circumstances and feedback? By identifying the strategies, you can help your clients plan and execute their vision effectively and efficiently.

5 Engage the team

The fifth step is to engage the team that will help your client deliver their vision. Who are the people that they need to involve, empower, and motivate? How will they communicate their vision, goals, and strategies to their team and other stakeholders? How will they create a culture of collaboration, trust, and innovation? How will they recognize and reward their team's contributions and achievements? By engaging the team, you can help your clients build and sustain a high-performing and committed workforce.

6 Review the vision

The final step is to review the vision periodically and update it as needed. How often will your client revisit their vision, goals, and strategies? How will they measure and report their results and impact? How will they solicit and incorporate feedback and suggestions from their team and other stakeholders? How will they revise and refine their vision based on new insights and opportunities? By reviewing the vision, you can help your clients keep their vision relevant, responsive, and resilient.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?