Next weekend we’ll continue our weekend business review series about career paths when I’ll go over two more career fields and link over to some articles written by other digi-scrap careerists. Be sure to check in again next weekend, or better yet subscribe to our RSS feed so you don’t forget or miss out when those articles are posted!

For today I’d like to share with you one of the best pieces of advice I ever received.  I took the time to work through a simple process that took less than an hour, and immediately put my business on a strong foundation. This process is the best way (in my humble opinion) to formulate your business philosophy. A business philosophy is simply the why’s and what’s behind the work you do.  Clearly formulating these thoughts in writing will help strengthen your business in your own mind, as well as your customers’.

Whether you choose to articulate your philosophy or not, it will still show in your business.

For example, I know a self-employed man who doesn’t believe it’s worth running your own business if you can’t work with clients you enjoy. This philosophy comes through loud and clear when he’s dealing with customers. Even when it’s not articulated it is noticeable that he primarily accepts only clients that he actually has fun with.When he occasionally finds himself working with a person he doesn’t enjoy – he begins to question whether or not the money is worth the effort. If he intends to continue running a successful business, he needs to stick with clients that he considers enjoyable. Otherwise, no matter how much money he makes, he’ll not be satisfied with his business because he’s working outside of his core philosophy.

Why is this? Because in business, your philosophy influences everything you do in your company. It makes no difference if you are a self-employed sole proprietor or you run a huge corporation. Your business philosophy can be seen in your writing, on your website, in the quality of your work, in the choices you make (like hiring employees or project selections) and it’s heard in your conversations too.  It’s there even if you haven’t taken the time to consciously express it.

So stop and think for a minute. Ask yourself, “What if I did put my philosophy into words? What would happen? How could it strengthen my business?” Let me help answer that for you. First, it becomes “real”. It helps you take a stand in your business. It can give you clarity on why you do what you do. Your philosophy can be a reminder to you and a standard cross-checking tool when you are making those major business decisions we so often have to make. If a decision isn’t in line with your philosophy, you probably don’t want to go that route. Your written philosophy can also be used in your advertising materials, on your website, and even in your product packaging. It is the core of everything you do in your business. Having it right out there in front for the world to see helps you attract your ideal clients too. Like-minded customers will easily be able to identify with you and will more likely be willing to refer you to others. With benefits like this you can clearly see the importance of articulating your business philosophy and how, by doing so, you can create a stronger business.

Now, you could certainly buy a book, take a class, or follow a leader who will gladly walk you through soul-searching exercises and introspective writings. But for me when it comes to writing out a business philosophy I recommend that you not over-think things or turn this into a huge writing assignment. One of the best ways to accomplish this small, but extremely important job is to grab a piece of paper and pencil, sneak off into a quiet corner by yourself and not allow any interruptions while you write down your responses to five very basic questions. Like when journaling on your scrappy pages, keep in mind that full sentences are not necessary. Write down words and phrases for each answer. Keep moving through the list until you’re finished. Then see how your responses fit together. The answers will be the cornerstone of your final piece. Reflect on these answers when formulating a written philosophy that is no longer than two or maybe three sentences. You’ll probably be finished in less than an hour. If you aren’t, then you might just be over-thinking things.

Here are the answers I came up with and the business philosophy behind my digi-art consulting services business

1. Why did you choose this business? I enjoy working with people who like the experience of learning. I like the techy side of the work. I enjoy the challenge of creating new things and then teaching them to others.
2. What do you want most, for your clients? For them to experience a sense of quality products/services that includes the flexibility to meet their changing needs. To have them consider their delivered products/services worthy of displaying with their family photos.
3. What is the process you use in working with clients? Asking for information and listening to their needs/wants, then working with them to meet those expectations. Verifying with them that their goals are being met - tweaking the process when necessary for special circumstances and to assure satisfaction.
4. Which parts of your work come the most easily to you? The technical part of creating products and assembling pages. The sharing of ideas and techniques - verbally
5. What parts of your business would you still do even if you weren’t getting paid? Creating digi-scrap pages for myself, my friends, and my family. Teaching friends/family digi-art techniques. Seeking and learn new digi-art skills and techniques.

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My business philosophy is to provide quality digital art products and services designed to meet the customer’s unique needs - so we can continue to create memory pages of yesterday’s pictures with today’s technology for tomorrow’s generations.

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In the spirit of helping others meet their business goals, I’m going to do something I’ve never in my life done before. I’m going to encourage you to leave this website right now. Then without further procrastination — get down to the duty of the day and accomplish this little task — on the spot. When you’re finished – come on back and share with us. We would love to hear about your business philosophy and how you wrote it!

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