“WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY,” commonly known as the “FIVE W’s of Journalism,” are equally applicable to starting a new business. 

                It is really quite simple.

                To go into business for yourself and manage it successfully, you need the same key elements required for the opening and execution of a good story. Used daily in every aspect of our lives - but mostly without giving it much thought - this common and often taken-for-granted element is the power of communication.

                Good communication is the driving force behind the successful application of the “Five W’s” to WRITING and to BUSINESS.

                No matter in which sequence the time-proven combination of WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN , WHY is applied, the five Ws can help produce an effective story - if you are a writer, or a profitable deal - if you are a business owner. 

                Coming from “journal,” a record of occurrences, experiences and reflections, journalism as well as other approaches to writing are forms of communication through the exchange of information.

                In WRITING, the flow of ideas and insights circulates between writers, editors and readers – with writers transmitting, editors shaping, and readers receiving and interpreting the information provided by the inquiries of “WHO is making it happen?” and “WHAT, WHERE, WHEN and WHY is it happening?”

                Add to this the non-W question of “How is it happening?” and there is little left, except to summarize  and package the answers in an informative, entertaining and interesting fashion, before transmitting the entire creation from writer to reader.

                In BUSINESS, communication takes place through the exchange of merchandise and services,as well as information.

Announcing to the world that “you are in business” is communication called ADVERTISING & PUBLIC RELATIONS; to get your products and/or your services to your customers is communication called SALES & MARKETING; to acquire supplies for the daily operation of your business is communication called PURCHASING; to hire/fire  and cultivate good, productive employees is communication called EMPLOYER & EMPLOYEE RELATIONS.
                This leads to the exploration of: “WHO could use your products and/or services?” – “WHAT  makes your products and/or services unique?” – “WHERE should you establish you business?” – “WHEN  is the best time for starting your business?” – “WHY do you want to be in business for yourself?”

So, if asking the rights questions and receiving the right answers  is the essence of good communication, then the Five W’s can indeed be equally applied by writers and business owners to insure the success of their particular endeavors – with ONE basic difference:

Although writers may have to do some editing and rewriting, once they package the answers to their questions into a story, their quest is finished. In business, on the other hand, the answers to the questions merely set the stage for action. After composing and editing an effective battle plan, an entrepreneur’s story is just beginning to unfold, starting with Chapter 1, “IT IS NOW TIME TO GET DOWN TO BUSINESS!”

This content was provided by one of our users, writeright