How to Start Anything 2: Critical “Wh” Questions

I remember back in secondary school, we were taught the “WH” questions. At the time it seemed like one of those English classes but now with the benefit of hindsight, I realize that some of the greatest questions start with one of the “WH” questions. In this post, we would be examining critical “WH” questions for business.

Let’s Start,

1. What do you really want to do?

It has been said that one of the proofs of mastery is the ability to define simply and in a few words that which one has mastered. So dear business person, what exactly is it that you want to do? Define your idea.

This simple task can be rather herculean as it involves synthesizing those amazing thoughts into simple sentences. To do this, write everything in your heart, everything as it is. At this initial stage, forget the grammar and arrangement, etc. just write and keep writing until you are certain you have captured everything your idea means to you.

2. Why do you want to do what you want to do and who is beneffiting from it?

These define your motivation and end users. In business, this is perhaps more important than the “what”! If the “why” is strong enough and you can define the “who”, then the “what” becomes easier to achieve because your will is involved.

Ask yourself

1. Why do I want to do this/why is it important to me?
2. Who is benefitting from it?
3. What value am I adding?
4. What need am I meeting?

Once you have your “why” and “who” sorted, go back to the “what” and then define it in 1 sentence

3. Where do you want to do what you want to do?

You may ask “what has the location got to do with it”? Everything! Where your business will operate is critical to its success. Business A in city A can catch on in a month or 2. That same Business A in city B may take a year or more to catch on. This implies that the strategy to adapt for the business depends largely on where it is located and the community it will serve.

4. When do you want to do it?

When introduces the dimension of time; urgency, relaxation, etc. it determines the pace at which you ought to work for the fulfilment of your dreams. Time is also critical in defining the resources needed to accomplish your dreams. When?

5. How?

At this stage, your thoughts have gained a level of clarity and you are almost set to hit the ground running. “How” is the question that sparks the creation of your strategy and operations. It details the methods you will employ to make the “what” a reality.

Often times, the “how” written in the context of the “where” and “when” helps in fine tuning the “what”

If you have been able to document all of the above, then you are now in a position to clearly define your business goal and objectives!

To your success,

MOA