PARTING THOUGHTS
Where Do You Go from Here?
Among the many pearls of wisdom that he shared, Mohandas Gandhi reminded us that “the path is the goal.” The same is true for the big-vision small business, where the journey offers the opportunity to pursue and practice high ideals, do something worthwhile, and become a perpetual learner who has created an organization of learners. The road, which falls somewhere between small business and fast-growth or large corporate organizations, can seem a lonely, self-punishing one at times. This, despite our genuine beliefs that it is the journey that matters and that a socially conscious vision or mission is well worth the difficulties that arise along the way.
For this reason, making the choice to pursue qualitative growth as a big-vision small enterprise, instead of following the more traditional fast-growth model, requires a business owner to be confident, self-secure, and committed as well as visionary. Yet we may find comfort in numbers, thanks to a growing movement underway—one with several tributaries—that lends support and encouragement to those of us who are opting to develop human-scale, spiritually or socially conscious enterprises whose motives and priorities are something different than the “grow big at any human cost” norm.
There are communities of people who are uniting to revitalize or create dynamic Main Streets by encouraging small enterprise and local self-sufficiency, and those who are rallying together to generate awareness and support of independently owned, community-accountable small businesses. There are those within the movement to promote socially responsible business who favor smaller, human-scale enterprises over colossal corporations. There are others who believe that small businesses are crucial participants in the campaign for better environmental stewardship, primarily because of the sheer number of small businesses that exist and the fact that they leave a smaller footprint. And then there are the enterprise owners whose spiritual or philosophical traditions lead them to practice in and serve by creating smaller, socially and spiritually conscious businesses. While there isn’t one association or network that connects all of these communities, their very existence offers big-vision small-business owners the potential for inspiration and connection.
In addition to seeking out other small-enterprise owners who are not just likeminded but like-spirited as well, you can apply the tenets shared in this book with peers within your own localities or associations. You can engage others in dynamic discussions about the possibilities stemming from big-vision principles. And you can unite your staff members (or collaboration partners) in dialogue about your own organization’s big-vision characteristics, gifts, and priorities. Using the big-vision priorities, golden rules, bibliography, and the many dialogue starters and questions offered in this book, you can identify your organizational strengths and opportunities to seek a higher level of mastery in the way you do business. By doing so, you will radiate the big-vision small business “essence” through each interaction, thus becoming a beacon or inspiration to others for what is possible.
“If you’re going to sweep the floor, sweep it better than anybody in town.”
CARLOS SANTANA
Though an organizational leader can certainly choose to grow the company quantitatively in keeping with the more traditional models, this book has offered the suggestion that there are other pathways to growth. You can find success and satisfaction without expanding your payroll, square footage, revenue base, or number of locations. Small enterprise can be rewarding in itself and offers a much greater potential for another type of growth and contribution—one of quality rather than quantity—that has been too long overlooked in our zeal for chasing the big numbers.
Creating a big-vision small business is such a possibility, and an open-ended one at that. As a big-vision small-enterprise owner, you define the standards of mastery you will strive toward and engage with your employees, vendors, or collaboration partners to put that vision into action.
Again, we think of Lao Tzu’s gentle reminder: The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. The best place to start is right where you are. I hope this book provides one valuable and inspiring resource for you as you define the fuller potential that your enterprise holds.