Step Four

Step Four is called “Develop the Infrastructure.”

Whatever the size or scope of your legacy ‘project,’ this is where it begins to actually take shape. Laying a foundation to build upon begins here. The old saying ’failing to plan is like planning to fail’ applies at this step, so we cover the basics of laying out a successful implementation plan, which becomes your roadmap or blueprint.

This is where dreams can begin to become real, and even deliver practical benefits!

Once you know who you are at your authentic core, who and what you care about, what skills and resources you bring and what your legacy vision and mission are, you can begin to craft something.  To make sure it endures, to benefit others after you step away from involvement, there are many forms it can take.  It can be:

• Primarily financial – there are a lot of vehicles from scholarships, to endowments, to community funds, to nonprofits, to charitable foundations;
• Primarily participatory – it could be something you begin as a volunteer, develop and attach to another organization, and leave for them to carry on; or
• A combination of financial and participatory – you can use some or all of your resources to develop something like a separate, independent social enterprise or corporate social responsibility project attached to your current business.

Whatever you choose, there is an existing structure to support its development and ongoing operation.  You don’t have to reinvent the wheel and can use tried and true practices.  Identifying the “Four M’s” from business planning – Mission, Money, Marketing and Management – and applying them in your unique way allows you to solidify the building blocks that will support it. That way, after you choose to end your involvement and step away, others can carry it on so your contribution can benefit as many people as possible for as long as possible!

We’ll explore lots of tools and resources to help you decide where to start and who you may need to help!  You don’t have to do this all alone – and finding the right advisors is crucial.

Click Here to read about Step Five in the process …

Click Here to start at the beginning …