Lv.2 Visualizing an Ideal World / Setting a Vision [Management & Planning] | Small Business Studies

The world is a time and space where you and others coexist

In moving a business forward, what is important is to be conscious of not just a "world of your own," but a "time and space where you and the world outside of you coexist."
It sounds a bit like the famous quote, "It's me, or it's everyone else," but it is a very important way to position your awareness. This is because the vision you draw for your business is not just a desire of "I want to be like this," but includes how you relate to the world you exist in and what kind of value you provide. Small businesses are built on connections with society and customers. That is why it is essential to think about the interaction with the "environment surrounding you," not just the "ideal self."
For example, when you think, "I want to be independent and work freely," in what kind of environment will that be realized? If you work online, what kind of customers will you interact with and how? If you are thinking of a community-based business, what kind of people will you support each other with while growing? By having these perspectives of "time" and "space," your vision will become more concrete.

"Huh? Isn't a vision just about yourself?"

"By thinking about relationships with people, the outline of my own vision becomes clearer."

A vision is a map for heading toward the future

In small business, a vision is not just a dream, but a "future map."
By clearly defining your destination, it becomes a guide for your daily choices and actions. Without a vision, you may be swayed by immediate issues and trends, prioritizing only short-term profits. However, if you have a clear vision, you will be able to take consistent action from a long-term perspective. If you have a vision of "wanting to contribute to the community," you can think about a business model that will be loved for a long time, rather than just chasing immediate profits. Also, if you think, "I want to use my skills to provide value," you need to build a mechanism that can deepen relationships with customers and provide continuous value. It is the same as when we go on a trip and carry a map of our destination so that we can have a better journey.

Thinking about "For whom, and what kind of value will I deliver?"

The success of a small business begins with identifying "value for society and others," not just "your own ideals."

✓ "The ideal future for yourself" Visualize
✓ "Who will this future affect, and how?" Think about
✓ "What kind of value will you provide, and what kind of change do you want to create?" Put into words

In this way, having a "worldview that coexists with others" in addition to your own ideals is indispensable for a small business vision.
A vision is your own personal guide, but it is also something that depicts a future to walk toward together with the people involved.

Setting a vision means drawing a "future map" and heading toward your destination—18 value keywords, 3 points

1) Think about "will" and "ability/environment" separately

—Building a "spaceship" to realize the self you want to become—
To head toward your ideal future, you first need to prepare a "ship (spaceship) to realize the self you want to become." The ship here refers to the "abilities" and "environment" necessary for you to reach your destination.

What is important here is to think separately about your "will" as the captain and the "performance of the ship" that is actually sailing.

"What does it mean to separate the captain's will from the ship's performance?"

"It means to calmly check your motivation separately from your abilities and the surrounding environment."

This is because by doing this, you can objectively evaluate your own limitations and current situation, and make necessary improvements and adjustments. Achieving a vision requires a strong will, but that alone is not enough. If it is not accompanied by the skills, knowledge, and environmental preparation to actually take action, you will not be able to reach the place you are aiming for.

Blueprint of the ship (spaceship): 4 elements

• Health → Physical strength and mental stability support the ability to take action

• Human Relationships → You need partners and collaborators who share your aspirations

• Experience/Work History → Leverage past experience and skills

• Assets → How to utilize funds and resources

You are the captain of this spaceship. Even if you have a strong will, you cannot reach your destination if the ship is falling apart. Conversely, no matter how high-performance a ship you have, if the captain's will is vague, you will lose sight of your destination. That is why it is important to think of "will" and "ability/environment" separately.

2) Think about "Which world do you want to advance into?"

Even if you get a wonderful ship, it is meaningless if you haven't decided "where you are heading." Also, if you don't decide on a destination, you won't arrive anywhere.
In which field do you want to play what kind of role? What kind of changes do you want to bring to what kind of people? By clarifying this, your vision becomes concrete.
In what field can you demonstrate your maximum value? This is directly linked to thinking about "where, with whom, and how will your small business grow?"

"Where are you sailing, and where do you want to go?"

Thinking about the answer to this question will guide you toward the field in which you want to be active.
Just as an unplanned voyage leads to shipwreck, if your destination is not clear, your daily choices and actions will wander. The "field" where you are active Deciding on this and thinking carefully about which market or field you will demonstrate value in will draw the map to success.

3) Act according to your values

-- Have your own "compass" --
Having a vision is important, but to realize it, you need a "compass" called "values".
If your values are clear, you can act without hesitation and without wavering.

Two perspectives on having a compass
✓ Understand the difference between "independence" and "self-discipline"
Independence → Standing on your own two feet technically, economically, and physically without relying on others
Self-discipline → Being able to act proactively based on your own values without being swayed by the situation

"So it's important to understand the difference between independence and self-discipline."

"That's right. Even if they are read the same way, the meanings are completely different."

✓ Don't be too bound by beliefs; have flexibility
Values are important, but sometimes it is necessary to fine-tune the direction you are heading depending on the situation. You can flexibly change your route without changing your goal.

Even if your destination is decided, if you don't have a sense of direction, you will wander. That is why clarifying your values and always moving forward while being conscious of "what is truly important?" is essential to realizing your vision.
Setting a vision is not just about painting a future; it is most important to think of "preparation, choices, and actions to get there" as a set.

Three steps

Now, I will introduce three steps to determine the path you should realistically take while reflecting your values, and to move forward without hesitation.

① How to build the ship you will sail on

“Four Elements Necessary for Building a Ship”
To head toward your ideal world, it is first important to view yourself as a ship. To build this ship, you need to prepare the following four elements.

1. Health
The durability of the ship corresponds to “health.” It is the foundation of a sustainable business; without physical and mental stability, it becomes difficult to continue the voyage. The same can be said for life, so “health” is the most important thing.

2. Human Relationships
The number of rooms in the ship corresponds to “human relationships.” The presence or absence of a supportive network has a major impact on the sustainability and growth of a business.

3. Experience/Work History
The equipment on the ship corresponds to “experience/work history.” By organizing how your past career and learning influence your current business, you can rediscover your strengths. Taking stock of your career and experience is very important.

4. Assets
The fuel necessary for the voyage is “assets.” The resources you have built up so far, such as capital, equipment, and knowledge, determine the sustainability of the voyage.

First, based on these four elements, let’s objectively view the state of your “ship.” From there, you will see the parts that need strengthening and the resources you can utilize.

“These four are definitely very important!”

“It’s no exaggeration to say that these four elements form who you are.”

Try thinking of your “will” and character as the captain separately from the “performance of the ship.” Also, it is okay if you have “weaknesses” in your current situation. This is because, in a story (life), weaknesses can potentially create empathy.

② Finding a specialized field from four hints

Once you know what kind of performance your “ship” has, the next step is “setting the course” to decide where to head. No matter how sturdy a ship you build, you cannot set sail if you cannot find the sea you should be sailing in.
Now, to decide which field you will be active in, let’s practice the following four things.

“Does that mean deciding where the ship will go?”

“That’s right. It means discovering the ‘field’ you want to advance into.”

✓ “Think about what you like”
First, find what you can get absorbed in. This is because the field you can enjoy is the one most likely to become your area of expertise.

✓ “Think about your complexes”
Things you were bad at or wanted to overcome in the past are actually strong driving forces. The experience of overcoming these creates unique value.

✓ “Look for things you are interested in”
Things you are interested in now are also hints for growth. This is because a specialized field is not something fixed, but something that changes according to the needs of society.

✓ "Know the commonalities with your network"
Think about which fields you can contribute to within your engagement with society. Not just yourself, but your points of contact with others are also important factors in determining your area of expertise.

The key is to think of three items for each category. From these four perspectives, discover hints for your area of expertise and clarify "where you will sail".

③ How to clarify your values: Mission Statement

"Clarify your values by utilizing 18 elements"

Once you have grasped the state of your ship and decided on your route, the next step is to clarify your navigational compass (values). "Values" are the foundation that determines your criteria for judgment and the direction of your actions. To clarify them, use the following 18 elements.

――18 Keywords to Guide Your Values――

• Self (Growth/Expression)

• Health

• Time

• Family

• Partner

• Friends

• Money

• Possessions

• Information

• Work

• Colleagues

• Dreams

• Hobbies & Entertainment

• Housing & Living Environment

• Community & Hometown

• Society & International Affairs

• Earth & Environment

• Next Generation

Next, we will divide these into three tiers. By thinking and setting them this way, it becomes clear what you value most.
Why divide them into three tiers? By performing this task, the priority of your values becomes clear and you can discover the core of your decision-making.

Let's organize the 18 values into three tiers: Select six keywords for each tier.

✓ 1st Draft Pick: What you value most
→ The non-negotiable values that form the "foundation of your activity guidelines"
✓ 2nd Draft Pick: Important, but not as much as the 1st
→ The "elements that support the 1st pick," axes that are good to have
✓ 3rd Draft Pick: Things you don't need to worry about much
→ The "elements you don't need to be particular about"

By setting these elements into three tiers you can recognize the priority of the values you hold dear. This becomes the axis for your behavioral guidelines.
This "value draft" will "change" depending on the situation or the passage of time. value draft will "change" The important thing is to look at this daily and face yourself.

"I didn't know I could organize my values in a way like this!"

"This is extremely useful! It's easy to do, so please give it a try."

Creating a mission statement

Finally, create a mission statement in a short sentence based on your values.
✓ For example...
"Live freely while making myself and my family happy" (19 characters)

Let's create a single sentence that expresses your behavioral guidelines in simple, memorable words. By articulating "what you act for" in this way, it becomes a standard when you are unsure of a decision. "what you act for" You too should
try creating your own mission statement within 20 characters. That will become the foundation for building an unwavering business and life.

The vision you reach by navigating the course of your specialty

To make a business successful, it is essential to clarify "in what field will you be active?" This is not just about choosing an industry or business type, but it is important to think from the perspective of "in which 'field' will you maximize your strengths?". In small business, rather than targeting a broad market like large corporations, the key to success is delivering "value only you can provide" to those who need it. Therefore, being conscious of
"in what world do you want to be, and what kind of impact do you want to have?" will be deeply involved in setting your vision.

A vision is not just a desire of "I want to be like this," but also thinking about "what kind of impact do you want to have on which society?"
✓ For example...

• "I want to support the lives of the elderly" → Nursing/welfare, rehabilitation, visiting nursing, etc.

• "I want to convey the charm of travel and tourism" → Tourism industry, guide services, tour planners, regional revitalization business, etc.

• "I want to provide value through food" → Restaurant business, food sales, agriculture, food consulting, etc.

Once your vision is clear, the choice of your specialized field will naturally fall into place, and you will begin to see a "one-of-a-kind business model" that only you can create.

Choosing a specialized field means creating your own unique vision

The strength of a small business lies in "the business owner themselves being the brand and becoming a part of the vision." Even in the same industry, you can create a world where it is "meaningful because it is you doing it." For a vision to be more than just an "ideal of the future," it is important to concretely decide
"in which field and how will you provide value?" and continue to take action toward that goal. A vision is not just a distant target, but something like
"a lighthouse that illuminates the path you should take right now." Relying on that lighthouse, let's navigate your own unique course and build the future you are meant to reach.

*The following is an [introductory video] for the program offered by Small Business University.

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