3) Make the reconnaissance; get outside of the building
Engage with the marketplace. Vetrepreneurs must get up and go speak with their target market. During the ‘Arrange the Recon’ phase, vetrepreneurs needed to predict the 5 W’s and the “how”. to help organize the approach needed when engaging the target base.
The biggest difference between traditional businesses and veteran ran organizations, is veterans share intel and engage within their area of operation and strength set. Veterans are typically better communicators, they work well with one another while still accomplishing a different, mission. It is critical that vetrepreneurs get out their and engage with one another so that each mission can be understood, refined and, supported.
In a battlefield setting an example would be the Marine Corps infantry and Army Rangers.
Both operate with an elite battlefield presence and strike through violence of action however, their roles are very different. Rangers are a special operation with a focused mission.
The Rangers’ primary mission is to engage in close combat and direct-fire battles” (http://www.army.mil/ranger/).
The mission of a Marine Infantryman is to…
locate, close with and, destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver and repel the enemy’s assault by fire and close combat.” (http://www.marines.com/being-a-marine/roles-in-the-corps/ground-combat-element/infantry)
By working together these forces have a better chance at success in their separate missions. This factor for success is engrained in veterans and can be put to good use. While traditional business leaders are trying to stave off competition, veterans have banded together under an age-old adage, “together we stand, divided we fall.”
**Note** While on a “Feedback Patrol”, each member of the team needs to actively be an observer just as you would on patrol. Remember, every patrol member is an observer; the littlest detail from private Smeckatelly could win the war.
4) Complete the plan; key leaders, key concepts
The business plan is compiled after arranging the recon and making the recon. All of the financials are included (in the appendix) and sited throughout the plan. The team has gone out to engage the actual population (that the team has targeted) on a “Feedback Patrol”. Now the executive summary can be completed, highlighting the significant points throughout the overall plan.
Bloodstripes.com has a team of crucial personnel that make up the team behind the database. They add written, video and, photographic content in addition to running the components of the site which, need maintenance and updating. The extended team of contributors adds content to the site; writing and including photographs discussing topics of knowledge that they are passionate about.
Click the SASR to check out bloodstripes.com!
It is daunting to think of sitting down and writing a business plan. Vetrepeneurs have a way of tackling the largest tasks and breaking them down incrementally. Such is the case when planning operations. The ‘Five Paragraph Order’ , used for planning military operations, is a vital tool to the vetrepreneur. It provides only pertinent information in a detailed and concise way.
While the plan is being written, each team member is preparing for the next evolution. They all, understand their role within the team but they may not have a clear understanding of what the overall mission is going to be; only their teams capabilities and the needs of the targeted population.
Now the vetrepreneur has to round out the plan and gather feedback from others, reaching outside of the team to trusted advisers. Those veterans who have gone before are standing ready to help with this area of the planning process. The veteran network is huge, call up one another for supporting arms.
The best resource for aspiring vetrepreneurs is EBV; Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities. The course is an intensive program developed to train veterans in a fast-paced environment. They provide the tools and network needed to succeed as an entrepreneur.
5) Issue the order; clear, concise, to the point
This is where vetrepreneurs have yet another advantage, being clear, concise and, to the point in a thoughtful, planned out way. Vetrepreneurs identify themselves, their team and, their mission, along with the vision; then commit to action pushing that plan into a reality.
Every team member needs to understand the business plan and the operating agreement as set by the team. It is an agreed upon arrangement which, requires discussion about how you will grow and succeed; and how you will split up if divorce does occur. This mature mentality ensures everyone has a ‘warm and fuzzy’ before stepping outside of the wire on an actual patrolling basis; such as when an event is taking place or a sales call needs to be made.
During a business plan pitch, the vetrepreneur provides the audience with all of the elements of the business and the supporting evidence to support the assumptions made through financial statements and pro forma. Its a well laid out op order for how you envision things are going to run.
**It is important to note that any corporate task or otherwise can be met with this combat approach. The processes used to plan and execute a combat mission carry over to the business side of the house. All that’s needed is some simple interpretation.**
6) Supervise; small unit leadership wins wars
The military trains personnel to manage people with the mission coming first. Managing people requires young leaders to better understand the individuals they are working with. In learning how to follow and work as a team, they learn how to lead the overall team. Members of infantry units, especially Marines, cross train in ones another’s job in case they need to pick up their role in the fight.
Young veterans are an excellent skilled workforce that knows how to get the job done efficiently and on schedule. Many vetrepreneurs are turning to their former team members and constructing new collaborative efforts. Their high impact teams are actively looking to collaborate and coordinate with one another to accomplish a unified mission of rebuilding this wonderful nation of ours.
Supervising these teams means providing its members with all of the tools they need to succeed, then empowering them to achieve greatness in the face of adversity. Something the average grunt is used to.
The use of tools is what separates humans from animals. The use of processes and military combat training is what kept us alive while down range on a patrol. Those same processes come in handy when hooking and jabbing in the business world. Get a plan, get with your brother and, commit to changing the world once more.
The vetrepreneurs and their crews of world changing all stars are coming, can you hear the rumble?
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