If you're reading this, it's likely that you already have a vision for the future. Perhaps you've already built something from scratch; maybe you're just starting out and are looking to figure out if your concept is viable or not. Regardless of where you are in your career as an entrepreneur, I want to offer some advice on how to build a legacy—and leave an imprint on the world through your work.
A compelling vision is one that is specific, ambitious, inspiring and realistic. It's not just a goal. It's the thing you're working towards: what you want to build, who you want to serve and how much impact you want your business or company to have.
Your vision needs to be big enough to pull in new people who will join your cause; but it also has to be realistic so that everyone understands how they can contribute towards achieving it. For example: “We want all children around the world who live in poverty access education” is too vague; “By 2023, at least 80% of children living in poverty will receive 12 years of free quality primary education” is more precise and measurable (and therefore easier for investors).
There are no right or wrong answers when defining your vision; only better questions that might lead us closer towards our goals!
As an entrepreneur, you need to brand yourself. Branding is more than a logo — it's about your company's identity and the perception of your company. As an entrepreneur, you should focus on what you can do to build your brand so that people know who you are and what they can expect from working with or buying from your business.
From a marketing perspective, branding is important because it sets the tone for everything else in public relations (PR). The way people perceive your product or service will influence how they engage with it. If they see that there is a consistent message behind all of the communications coming out of their company (like emails or blog posts), then customers will trust the business more because they'll feel like there's an actual person behind it instead of just another faceless corporation trying to sell something.
Tell a story well. A good story can be the most powerful thing you can use to inspire others. When used effectively, it will stick in their heads long after they hear it and help them understand your vision for your business and its future. So find stories that communicate what you’re trying to say in a way that will resonate with your audience (and be sure not to rely on clichés like “once upon a time” or “in a galaxy far away"). You don't have to tell an elaborate tale—though if you do have one handy, go ahead! Some of the best business leaders throughout history have been master storytellers: Steve Jobs told his employees at Apple about his dream of making computers personal devices; Oprah Winfrey shared her childhood experiences as an orphan on her talk show; Richard Branson told how he got started by running around selling flower seeds out of his backpack when he was 12 years old; Elon Musk described how he was bullied as a child but challenged himself by learning how to program computers from books despite being dyslexic; and so on.
Encourage people to help each other. It’s important to keep your team happy and encourage them to help each other. If there is an issue with a co-worker or fellow employee, make sure you address it in a professional manner so that everyone can move forward.
Give them opportunities to grow as individuals. When you build a strong team at work, it gives them the opportunity to grow and learn new things while they are working with you or your company. You want people who are confident enough in themselves that they want more than just what they currently have in their career lives – this means that if given an opportunity for something new (even if it doesn't mean more money), the person will take action on it because they know that there's value in learning new things!
To be an influencer, you must:
Provide information and ideas to others.
Hold a positive image in the minds of those who are influenced by you.
Influencers are found in many different places. They may be celebrities, politicians or teachers; they can also be family members or friends who have developed strong personal relationships with others through shared experiences.
Influencers should not be confused with people who simply provide factual information about a topic through speeches and presentations. In contrast to these types of speakers who often stand behind podiums before crowds of listeners waiting for their words, an influencer's audience is usually more personal in nature—for example, if someone has an idea on how best to run his own business then he might share this information with his employees by way of email or at an all-hands meeting at work so that everyone knows what needs doing during busy times ahead as well as after hours when things slow down due to less activity occurring within the industry sector where everyone works together towards advancing their careers together rather than separately from one another.
You don’t have to do this alone. Find others who are also passionate about your vision and mission, and build a community around you. They’ll be able to help support you when times get tough, they can give you feedback on what you’re doing right and wrong, and they can cheer you on when things are going well.
Community is important because it creates accountability: it makes sure that people follow through on their commitments and goals, so that everyone feels invested in each other’s success.
To find like-minded individuals online: join Facebook groups relevant to your niche, attend events that are related to what you do, or talk with customers who use your product (and ask them if they know anyone else who would want something similar).
Creating a legacy as an entrepreneur is not easy, but it’s not impossible either. The key is to focus on building your brand and making sure that your organization is not just about products or services but also about what your company stands for. In addition, you should always be mindful of how others perceive you in order to be able to influence them. Finally, when it comes time for making decisions about what direction this business should take next, always remember: think long-term!