Do you often consider the underlying motives behind your small business or career, whether that be a website, open source project, discussion group, visual arts, nonprofit, startup, or any other kind of work? Vision planning answers the question of "why am I doing this?" and ultimately keeps a project on track. We're working together to develop phrasing for our vision plans that describes the reason we're doing whatever it is we're doing. However, instead of our previous fifteen minute, one-on-one coaching sessions, this meeting is hosted by Cheri Anderson, whose expertise on business advisement is highly sought after.

Cheri is a holistic coach for small businesses and startups as well as an executive coach for Nike. She's a familiar face here, having coached two previous sessions, and will be introducing an important, and often forgotten, concept: "What is my vision?" We will have a brief meet-and-great before Cheri is introduced to people participating for the first time. Beginning by writing down our ideas or current vision statements, Cheri will then break us into smaller groups to discuss why we're interested in our projects and where those projects are going. Cheri will be coaching the groups on how to collaborate to refine each other's statements. It'll be fun working in groups and ending up with a complete vision statement, which we will reconvene and share, everyone leaving with a greater understanding of how to build their business.

Past vision planning coaches have included: Mark Grimes (NedSpace), Catherine Poole (social services & e-textiles) and Russ Finkelstein (formerly Idealist Portland). This event is free of charge and open to the public. Professional follow-up is available.

Questions? Contact Alex Linsker at (503) 517-6900 or [email protected] Twitter: @alexlinsker