The Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is a concept developed by Simon Sinek. It's a great tool for helping entrepreneurs define their business. Here's an exercise to help you use it to define WHY, HOW, and WHAT:

Introduction to The Golden Circle:

WHY: This is the core belief of the business. It's why the business exists. What's your cause? What do you believe in?
HOW: This is how the business fulfills that core belief. What are the specific actions you take to realize your WHY?
WHAT: This is what the company does to fulfill that core belief. What do you do? What products or services do you offer?

Exercise Steps:

Discovering Your WHY:
- Reflect on what makes you passionate about starting this business. Is it to change the world, disrupt the industry, help a specific group of people, or something else?
- Write your values and beliefs down. Think about how to put them into your business.
- Ask yourself: What impact do I want to have on my customers or the world?
Articulating Your HOW:
- Consider the ways you will use to deliver on your WHY. These can be processes, approaches, or strategies. How will you be different from competitors?
- List out the values or principles that guide the way you do business. These could include great customer service. They could also include innovative products. Or, they could include a focus on sustainability.
Defining Your WHAT:
- Describe the products or services you offer. Be specific about what you sell or what you provide to customers.
- Think about how these offerings connect back to your WHY and HOW. Do they align with your core belief and the way you operate?

Worksheet:

Your WHY Statement:
- "In everything I do, I believe in [Your Belief]. I believe that [What You Think About the World]. The impact I want to create is [Your Desired Impact]."
Your HOW Actions:
- List three things. You will do them in your business. They show how you bring your WHY to life.
Your WHAT Offerings:
- Clearly say what your business does. Or, what it offers to customers. This should reflect your WHY and be enabled by your HOW.

Reflection:

After filling out the worksheet, take a moment to reflect on your answers. Ask yourself if your WHAT truly reflects your WHY, and if your HOW is a genuine method to get there. Your business's Golden Circle should reflect your values and goals. It gives a clear path for making decisions and strategy.

Example:

WHY: "In everything I do, I believe in empowering individuals to live a healthier lifestyle. I believe that everyone deserves access to wellness education and resources. The impact I want to create is a community thriving in health and knowledge."
HOW: "To achieve this, I will give personalized wellness coaching. I will create an inclusive online community. I will also keep learning about health trends to share with my audience."
WHAT: “I offer online wellness coaching programs. I also offer health education webinars. And, a supportive community forum is offered. These are for individuals looking to improve their well-being.”
Michael Shenher