Educate ourselves on Vision and Mission statements and decide what kind of vision/mission statement to develop and consider whether the service and product should be separate: Do we need to look at this?
Types of visions to consider:
Quantitative “we will generate x amount of revenue”
Competitive “we will rise above our competitors”
Superlative “we are number 1, the best”
Definition of Vision statement: the purpose of the vision statement is to open your eyes to what is possible, defines where the business is going (provides direction), statement looks externally and explains without mentioning the company or its offerings how the organization will make the world ideal, presents the firm’s strategic intent that focuses the energies and resources of the company on achieving a desirable future
A good vision statement will be clear and visible, thinking big, descriptive and at least 5 years out
“will be” future casting, big and bold statements, inspire and energize
1) Describe 5-10 years out
2) Dream big and focus on success
3) Write in present tense
4) Infuse with passion
5) Paint a graphic mental picture
6) Can be written in paragraph form
7) Can be short and concise or a couple of paragraphs (company preference)
The vision statement is described in present tense as if you were reporting what you actually see, hear, think and feel after your ideal outcome was realized.
Mission and vision statements are frequently combined into a single statement, when they are separated, the vision statement is often a single sentence, designed to be memorable. Something to consider?? Together or separate or once generated combine them?
How to generate vision statement:
1) Review sample vision statements
2) Create a list goals, values attributes, what the company wants to achieve, descriptions and actions, create a statement using the words (identifying a statement of how the world is better based on our agencies work)
3) Create many active statements of the hopes and goals of the company to review with the team narrowing them down or combining.
Cover story vision:
Imagine our business is in the headlines-cover of a well known national magazine, what are people saying about our business? Think about the perspective, long term and big!!
Or
Draw a picture of the business today: what does this look like, positive and negative attributes
Draw a picture of where we want the business to be!! Put this picture into words!!
We need to define where we want to be before we can develop a plan of how we will get there!!!!
Examples:
Federal Express: “Our vision is to change the way we all connect with each other in
the New Network Economy.”
Lexmark: “Customers for Life.”
Microsoft: “A computer on every desk, and in every home, running on Microsoft software.”
“To cure the world of breast cancer”
"To provide millions of Indians - a comfortable, safe & affordable home - and a reason to smile!"
"to be a leading organization to provide training, knowledge and service all over the world in the environmental sanitation industry"
"people of all ages and cultures come together unified and empowered by sharing the belief that they hold the power to create and shape how they live and grow within their own communities."Good one!!
"COCA COLA VISION
To achieve sustainable growth, we have established a vision with clear goals.
Profit: Maximizing return to shareowners while being mindful of our overall responsibilities.
People: Being a great place to work where people are inspired to be the best they can be.
Portfolio: Bringing to the world a portfolio of beverage brands that anticipate and satisfy peoples; desires and needs.
Partners: Nurturing a winning network of partners and building mutual loyalty.
"To provide a safe and stimulating environment for bright and curious children to interact with and learn from each other. To entertain children with educational offerings that provide fun learning opportunities. To create a profitable website that generates strategic value for our investors and partners. To provide a creative and rewarding work environment for our employees." Think bigger!!
"customer satisfaction is what we aspire for"
"minimize the cost of production"
"To enhance the lives of those I meet by helping them face demanding and challenging situations with enthusiasm and strength."
Examples: Excerpt from my strategic plan paper: Vision and Mission: how they are connected
A vision is developed and will allow the organization to view externally what the ideal world will look like based on the company’s achievements. The vision states: “All persons with developmental disabilities will live quality and enriched lives.” The mission statement is a definition of how the organization will meet the vision and looks at the internal workings. The mission is: “to provide a quality of service delivery above and beyond competitors by ensuring the qualified staff receives ongoing training, updated material and resources and actively participate as a team sharing knowledge and experiences to aid in meeting the consumers’ needs. Monaco will strive to develop innovative methods of service delivery in addition to managing and meeting required regulatory demands. Monaco will strive to make changes in the field of service coordination by including and incorporating outside organizations.”
Mission
Present focus, purpose and plan for the business and how the vision will be achieved.
Three areas of focus:
1) Purpose statement, seek to accomplish or problem needed to be addressed
To increase decrease eliminate, prevent or improve, condition or problem to change “To increase adult literacy”
2) Activities the company will do to accomplish the purpose: What is done to address the need identified in the purpose statement “to provide” “by or through” “to increase adult literacy by providing reading assistance to illiterate adults”
3) Principles, beliefs and values
“The Hewlett Foundation’s Board of Directors and staff adhere to these fundamental commitments:
To honor the commitment to philanthropy and ethos established by the founders”
Three formats:
Slogan: example: “To give unlimited opportunity to women” (Mary Kay Cosmetics)
Bullet Point
Paragraph “The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is to make a positive difference in the lives of children and youth, primarily through a professionally-supported one to one relationship with a caring adult, and to assist them in achieving their highest potential as they grow to become confident, competent and caring individuals”.