How to Develop Your Ideal Vision for Your Great Business and Perfect Future
A few weeks ago I attended the INC500/5000 conference and had the opportunity to connect with Ari Weinzweig. I had heard and read a bit about Zingerman’s approach to business and knew it was interesting and different…but didn’t realize how unusual it really was until I dug in.
I attended Ari’s breakout session, had a few conversations with Ari, I read his new book called “A Lapsed Anarchist’s Approach to Building a Great Business” (highly recommended), started researching them, etc.
And the more I saw — the more I really loved how their built their business, the philosophy, the culture and more so I knew I had to get an interview with Ari. If you missed it – please check it out here and leave a comment.
Here are a few of the insights we covered:
- The exact 8-step recipe for writing a vision of greatness and getting clear on the future you want.
- How to get your entire team onboard with your vision and who should create the vision.
- The difference between a mission statement, a vision and a strategic plan (and why there is a HUGE difference)
- Who you should absolutely share your vision with as you’re developing it.
- Why “positive futuring” really does work. (Zingerman’s actually has each employee work on visioning regardless of their position in the company because it’s that important.)
- How often you should re-visit the vision.
- How to “reverse-engineer” your vision and create your ideal future.
Listen to the replay here. Don’t worry there’s nothing to buy though I absolutely, whole-heartily recommend Ari’s new book “A Lapsed Anarchist’s Approach to Building a Great Business“. I think you’re crazy if you don’t add this to your library before after you hear this!
November 12th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Great post Yanik! I am definitely going to be adding that book to my library. Thanks for sharing.
November 12th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
The interview was awesome!
The content is Priceless!
You Sharing it is Visioning!
November 12th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Gave me some new idea’s to implement into our vision statement for the Dream Bar Cafe principles. COOL!!!
November 13th, 2010 at 10:57 am
Thanks Yanik!
I’ve studied Ari and Zingerman’s for a while and you’re absolutely right…it’s a business and philosophy to learn from and model.
And, of course, you want to try some of their amazing food. I have olive oil and balsamic vinegar that’s heavenly and can’t even say what their bacon bread does for my team members without making this X-rated.
Thanks for sharing your interview!
Sandy
November 13th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
@Sandy – yeah the food is very good. Funny, once I started paying more attention to them I got 2 mail order gifts (randomly) from people with their food
November 23rd, 2010 at 1:31 am
Hi Yanik,
I was just surfing the internet and came across your blog. Actually I was searching for something that is different and unique then the traditional way of doing business, which generally everyone uses. I liked the Reverse-Engineer vision and am working on creating some new concept where reverse business model is applied in comparision to traditional business model.
For example: In traditional business model, the seller always looks for buyer and seller always sells and buyer always buys. Whereas, creating a concept which is reverse, such that a seller goes to buyer, not to sell or earn money from the buyer, instead the sellers asks the buyer to earn money from him. Everywhere the same technique is used, where sellers go and sell to buyers. I am researching for something where seller rather then going and selling to buyer, will allow and facilitate the buyer to earn from the seller. And in that case no buyer is going to say no, if money comes to his pocket. Isn’t it? What do you think about such a concept?
I am also having a frequent good communication with Dean Holland, Matt Bacak and Jonathan Budd. Hope to build a similar good friendly business relationship with you.
Have a nice day!
Regards,
Danny Quigley
November 26th, 2010 at 5:43 am
Hello yanik and ari
the interview was excellent. great insights.. I loved the interview. Is there sort of any coaching program yanik in that regard which you can set up with ari which can help us?
love
Vish
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:02 am
I am just on the first step of starting my own business before that I was in job, Even I am afraid little a bit in the case while I would not success , But I am continually making new plans for promoting my Online Business
December 7th, 2010 at 8:10 am
Thanks for the post. I have not read that book but I will for sure now. Starting and running your own business is a dream for many people.
One of the keys is to continually study successful people like you.
Thanks,
Mark
December 9th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Thanks for a the great post! Owning your own business is a dream come true, and takes a lot of work. I haven’t read this book yet, but you’ve piqued my interest.
March 7th, 2011 at 9:48 am
I’ll be sharing this post with my subscribers. In many of my conversations with other marketers I’ve found that most do not think of their online marketing as a business. “Where there is no vision, people perish (so do businesses). Vision, mission and strategic planning was one of the first things I learned in business school. The theory is the easy part… it’s the implementation that takes time and effort. Kudos!