Entrepreneurial Vision: A Guide for Charting and Implementing the Visioning Process

While many texts on entrepreneurship and biographies of great entrepreneurs and leaders talk about vision and its importance, few delve into what vision is, how it comes to be, and, how it can be more successfully developed. This book, built on evidence-based research, delves into the entire entrepreneurial visioning process. Starting with understanding the elements which characterize strong and sustainable vision, the authors detail proposed steps, supported by examples and worksheets, that students and entrepreneurs can take to build and implement their vision and, in turn, help put them on the path to build great businesses.

Susan E. Reid is a retired Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship at the Williams School of Business, Bishop’s University. Her teaching and research interests lie at the intersection of marketing, innovation, and entrepreneurship, with an in-depth focus on the topic of vision. Susan has published in refereed journals including: Journal of Product Innovation Management, Industrial Marketing Management, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, R&D Management, Journal of Consumer Marketing, World Development, Business History, and International Journal of Technology Marketing. She has been associated to the Canada Research Chair on the Management of Technology; held grants through the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, SSHRC, FQRSC, FQRNT, and MELS; and has more than 25 years of experience working and consulting for the biopharma, nanotech, and aviation sectors. She has been a keynote speaker locally and internationally, including on the topic of the Power of Entrepreneurial Vision, and was a contributor to Forbes.com. In 2019, she won the Business Division Teaching Award at Bishop’s University and the 2019 Dean’s Award for Distinguished Contributions to Scholarly Activity and Research. She, along with her husband and co-author Charles, is the co-founder of Domaine Pinnacle, a pioneering Canadian producer of craft ciders and spirits.

Susan holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Queen’s University, an MBA from McGill University, and a PhD from Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business.

Charles B. Crawford is an experienced entrepreneur who has spearheaded the start-up, launch, and development of several high-growth companies. He, along with his wife and co-author Susan, is a co-founder of Domaine Pinnacle, a family-owned apple farm that they built into an award winning producer of ice cider and craft spirits, sold in over 60 countries worldwide. Prior to co-founding Domaine Pinnacle, he worked for several multi-national companies and was a consultant and entrepreneur with experience in the technology, communications, airline, pharmaceutical, and consumer products industries. He is currently an associate professor at the Université de Sherbrooke, where he teaches entrepreneurship. He is actively involved in several non-profit organizations providing mentoring and incubation services to XVIII aspiring young entrepreneurs. His research focuses on entrepreneurial teams, ecosystems, and strategic alliances.

Charles holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Concordia University, an MBA from The Ivey School of Business (Western), and a Doctorate in Business Administration from Athabasca University.