6 Quick Steps to Effective Personal

Development

A Guide for Micro Businesses

Ms. Olufunmi Ade.

1. Vision What is Meant by Vision?

One way to look at it, is as imaginative insight or statesman like foresight. So getting this right, in form of a statement, helps set an agenda of progressive steps towards a vision. A vision statement also helps bring a vision to life.

“The starting point is having a clear vision & mission for the small business and owner, as a component, since the business & the owner are much more closely aligned, than the employee".

Vision StatementWhat is a Vision Statement?It can bee seen as a desired future state: the aspiration of the individual. Where do one wants to be, or achieve. For example, a vision may be as simple as running a marathon or more complex such as being recognized as among the best in your field of business.

2. Mission

Often a vision needs to be underpinned by a mission. The 2 are closely related, with mission subsumed under the vision. The vision is the end state, the mission is the vehicle to get there.

What is Meant by Mission? This can be seen as a goal or task; vocation. The key feature of a written mission, is a statement of overriding purpose, in line with the values or expectations, of the individual, or business.

In other words, a statement of general principles, to live or run a business by. For example, on a personal level, keep fit and healthy (hence run a marathon; vision), provide good services (hence recognized as among the best in your field of business; vision).

3. Preparing a Vision Statement.

• First: Prioritize your future plans or goal, starting with what’s most important. It maybe that priorities are in order of a time frame that is, one goal may take longer to achieve, than another. Hence the vision may change over time. This may also be in order of their importance, or urgency to your business. Second: make a list. Third : review what's been written.

How to Prepare your Mission Statement.

First: take stock of the what, where and how of the current situation, specifically as it relates to work, business operations, personal life. Second: consider the practical running and purpose of the business. Third: review what's been written.

4. Make an Assessment.Making an assessment is a simple, self scoring mechanism, for example out of 10, in terms of the current position against a mission and vision (that is, present state versus purpose and future aim/ goal).

The areas less well scored should be noted for when it comes to designing a development plan.

The vision and mission, once properly articulated, helps inform the personal development plan & activities. As a consequence all have to be specific.

5. Achieving the Mission and Vision Statement

Some Things To Note: Business Management - a requisite is setting guidelines on attaining and maintaining the mission statement in daily tasks and activities.

Policies and procedures have a role here, even if only self employed/ freelance.

It is ' The How' so its important to set realistic goals & follow these step- by- step in terms of service delivery or product quality. Some personal attributes required are, determination, self –awareness, honesty, self- motivation, on- going learning, access to information.

The mission statement should constantly point towards the realization of the vision statement and be the stepping stone to it.

6. Making a Decision on Personal Development Activity• Personal development is very important to the

overall accomplishment of both the vision and mission. The business environment is constantly evolving, challenging and competitive, hence 'being in the know' is key to successfully driving a small business towards its vision.

• This is where learning and development come into the fore. Some things to note when striving to excel are: vision & mission statement. Business goals. Commitments and responsibilities. Personal preferences.

SMART. - a mnemonic meaning: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time bound.

“Once the vision and mission is clear and stated a personal development activity can be implemented. For small businesses and self - employed the stress is on activity rather than plan. With less complex structures than large corporate organizations, the advantage of little or no bureaucracy, means plan and activity could almost be seamless”.

The Importance of Personal Development.

• Learning through formal courses, whether via classroom, distance or electronic methods, particularly if accredited, helps: validate skills & competences, engendering customer/client confidence.

• Gains respect and recognition for your work & knowledge, among peers and professional colleagues. Increases competence to deliver better business services and remain at the cutting edge of a business sector.

“Development means learning new methods, insights and access, to continually keep abreast of a dynamic marketplace. With information technology, the opportunities are almost limitless and its a buyers market, as a result”.

Informal activities include; activity groups, books & journals, networking, mentors, voluntary work (particularly good to gain experience and referencing a client base, when staring up).

On deciding the route, life- work balance needs to be considered.

SummaryPersonal development for the small business owner, should be seen as action plans to help attain business goals. Help set a realistic agenda, for the attainment of development activities for both the individual and business. Provide a way of coordinating, monitoring and mapping personal development needs, for the attainment of mission and vision statements.