Put Purpose Into Your Company

This is the big one. This is the statement that should wrap up your organization vision statement to create a neat Organization Mission Statement. In a few short sentences an organization mission statement needs to communicate the essence of your organization to your stakeholders and to the public. This is a clear declaration of who your organization is, what you are doing, and why you are doing it. It also should make apparent what your organization seeks to accomplish and why your organization exists. This mission statement is key because it prepares you to not only define your company to the people who will be investing both their time and money, but also to the market you will be advertising in. Customers are loyal to a brand they can trust. This is the statement that will plant that seed. It’s important that your mission statement corroborates with your previous organizational vision statement. This will ensure that both you and your organization will stay focused both personally and company wide. Finally, post these statements. Make sure they are not forgotten. When you and your employees walk in the door the first question you should ask yourself is what are you going to do today that fulfills the company’s vision and mission statements? This will keep your company moving forward towards the vision and the ideals from your mission statement alive in your every day work life.

                                                                                                     Posted 1.20.2012 11:48 AM

            Ah the sweet aroma of Valentine’s Day. The smell of perfectly pruned red roses and high quality chocolates fill the air. It’s a great time of year to show your loved ones how much you love and appreciate their support. But don’t forget who puts those sweet smelling flowers on your table! Valentine’s Day is a great day to show your appreciation to those customers who keep you working all year around. We’ve got a few simple tips on how to show your thanks through out the year.

First, the most meaningful gestures are the small ones. Saying thank you not only reminds you that they are giving you work, but also shows them you appreciate the work they give you. Another helpful tip is answering emails as soon as possible, even if it’s just acknowledging you have received their email. This is a simple way to show your clients that you consider them important. It makes them feel like you are constantly keeping track of their needs, even if you’re just buying time while working on something else. Finally, personalize your invoice. By adding a short message in your invoice each month you can send the message that they are more than just an income to you, but a respected and appreciated customer.

So, for this Valentine’s Day remember all the people that makes your life sweet.

                                                                                                          Posted 1.14.2012 11:12 AM

It All Starts with a Vision

Hopefully you’ve had enough time to work on your personal mission statements. (We’d love to hear some of them, by the way!) The next step is plugging your own mission statement into your Organization Vision Statement. A vision statement is encompassing. It is about what your organization, or department, wants to become. Start by taking ten minutes with a notepad and pen. According to where your organization is today, start listing all the ways you see your organization growing and evolving within the next few years. Don’t sell your vision short! Write it all out. A vision should stretch the organization’s capabilities and image of itself. It gives a shape and direction of the organization’s future. Perhaps your vision seemed a little out of reach? Within reason, that means you’ve done it right! As the prophetic words of Inception said, “Don’t be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.” Have faith in your organization and the great people that work for it. And most importantly, make sure it correctly represents your personal mission statement. If you see some disconnect perhaps it’s time to reevaluate your relationship with that organization. If you need some help let us know! A vision starts with a dream; we’re excellent at creating a plan to make it come true.

                                                                                                                                                                          Posted 1.7.2012 9:07 AM

Business is Personal

We’ve all had to write out a professional development plan at some point in our careers. Perhaps you’ve dissected where you want to be in the next one, five, even ten years. Maybe you’ve written out what kind of position you want to be in, how much you want to be making, or exactly the type of role you wish to have within those said years. I challenge you to read it again. Review your goals, your dreams, and your professional aspirations. Does it correctly reflect your personal mission statement? Do you even have a personal mission statement? For those of you struggling to decide what kind of professional life you want to lead I recommend starting with who you want to be both in the office and outside.

What is a personal mission statement you may ask? It is a brief description of what you want to focus on, what you want to accomplish and who you want to become in a particular area of your life over the next one to three years. It is a way to focus your energy, actions, behaviors and decisions towards the things that are most important to you. You are ever changing and your mission statement should reflect that. Don’t make it a book. Keep it simple, clear and brief. The best mission statements tend to be 3 to 5 sentences long.

Need help? Have a comment? Want to share your personal mission statement? Drop by our Facebook. We’d love to hear what you have to say. 

                                                                                                                                                                                   Posted 1.26.2012 11:32 AM

Are You Reaching Your Goals?

Every year we set goals. Some are personal, some are professional. Successful completion of these goals depends on our commitment to them. If you are like me, I tend to forget them because I set way too many goals for myself. I also don't do the work necessary to change a goal from a concept to an action.

I've set a few simple rules for myself that I think will help me reach my goals:

• I have set fewer goals (2-3).
• I used the SMART method for goal setting (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely).
• I visit my goals daily- a goals list is the first thing I read in the morning.
• I set aside the first part of the day working on them. Even if it is as little as 5 minutes a day, at least work is being done.
• I don't get discouraged if progress is slow. Goals tend to be composed of developmental issues and challenges. If they were easy, they probably would have been accomplished by now.

What are you goals for the new year? Visit out Facebook and let us know what you’re working on. We’d love to help!

                                                                                                                                              Posted 1.17.2012 10:52 am

Do You Have What It Takes?

It’s that time of year again! No, we’re not talking about the holidays. It’s time to start thinking about Wisconsin’s Governor’s Business Plan Contest, of course! For the past three years Mark has been honored to mentor and judge some of the most innovative and forward thinking entrepreneurial high-growth companies in technology throughout Wisconsin. Produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council, it’s a true honor to be chosen to judge this event. Mark will join fellow Wisconsin investors, academics, experienced entrepreneurs, and other professionals looking to support the development of high-growth companies.

Participants will have the opportunity to win seed capital, valuable in helping them launch their businesses and a Grand prize worth $50,000. But it’s more than just about money. This contest allows local entrepreneurs to establish a support system amongst successful business professionals. This is important in bringing prosperous new companies to the area, as well as creates cohesion within Wisconsin’s professional world.

The contest comprises of four parts over a six month period wherein each participate will develop a business plan within on of four areas: Advanced Manufacturing, Business Services, Information Technology and Life Sciences. As a judge, Mark not only evaluates entries, but helps contestants flesh out their plans to be successful in a real world setting.

If you are looking for more information about the BPC contest or looking for an application to participate hop on over to www.govsbizplancontest.com. Good luck to future contestants! And congratulations to Convergent Marketing’s chief strategist Mark Van Pay!

                                                                                                           Posted 12.18.2011 11:48 am