Warning: 8 Point List Might Get You to Your Destiny Faster

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, employee, or retiree you can benefit from periodically stepping back and taking stock. After all, we do liken ourselves to a visionary who enjoys building their business, career, and/or life. You do don’t you?

Seekers of truth are honest with themselves about their current state. Highlighted below what I believe are the three most critical elements of the self-evaluation checklist. I cannot promise that this examination will keep you from hiccupping, but it can help you head-off some serious aliments.

 

Check your customer value proposition. 

Since this blog focuses on providing insights that help individuals improve their organization’s results, let’s look at the list from that perspective. Customer satisfaction is the cornerstone of any enterprise. If it wasn’t for having the ability to satisfy a real need… well you know what I’m driving at. What we often tend to push aside is that people buy benefits. In fact value is the center of every proposition – if it’s balanced or not is another story. 

 

Think not? Well explore the diagram below. This is how my key value maps in the ‘business model canvas’ developed by Alexander Osterwalder and explained in his book Business Model Generation – that’s right business model thinking can apply to individuals as well as to organizations.

 

Take a closer look at the center box, notice how it is focused on value provided. Your customer’s perception is the heart of the matter. Here’s the key point: these value statements were not crafted internally. This is the feedback provided to me by those who benefited from my efforts.

 

It is your job to insure you’re delivering on your value promise. Not only ask your customers how you did but also solicit recommendations. 

| Sidebar: Please note the impetus for one’s strategic business model doesn’t have to come from the center but every successful model includes it. |

 

Continue to learn and innovate. 

A continuing education program is a must whether you’re somewhat new to the scene or seasoned veteran. We all have something to gain by keep our skills sharp. It is recommended that in addition to taking at least one structured course per year take advantage of local panel discussion & conferences.

 

Don’t forget about your Board of Advisors, mentors, and strategic business relationships. Always be thinking about how you can transform your existing assets in company benefits.