“WHY am I here?”

The question every person asks themselves during most of their lives. We spend years trying to figure out our purpose in life and I think companies should put the same effort answering that same question.

WHY are we as company here? WHY we’re doing what we’re doing? Sometimes is so easy to get caught up on the daily tasks (specially on big companies) and start losing the purpose on actions and efforts made, but having the purpose really clear and remembering it every day will help you stay committed to your dream and company and help others get on board too.

According to Jim Collins, author of the business classic “Built to Last”, these are the 5 characteristics your company’s purpose should have:

-It’s inspiring to those inside the company.
-It’s something that’s as valid 100 years from now as it is today.
-It should help you think expansively about what you could do but aren’t doing.
-It should help you decide what not to do.
-It’s truly authentic to your company.

But, how to start? how to remember and re-discover your business purpose? Here are the 5 questions you need to ask yourself to help you get started:

1. Why does our organization’s existence matters?
2. What are your business strengths?
3. What are the values we want to portray to your audience?
4. Why is your company important to your costumers?
5. Why would anyone dedicate their time, energy, and passion to your company? (The answer shouldn’t be money.)

Remember, as Nietzsche said: “He who has a why can endure any how”. Having a WHY is the core of everything, is the heart of your company, if you know your purpose very clearly and you can communicate it with your team and audience, it will be worth all the effort and extra hours you and your team are putting in to make your company grow.