Create a Vision for 2013

Vision and mission statements are crucial for moving your company forward. Have you ever heard the statement "a man without vision will perish"? Well, that goes for companies big and small too. If your company does not have vision, then how does it know where it's going? Learn how to develop this significant step in moving your company successfully into 2013.

An uncertain economy is one of the best times to get things together and figure out where you are going. Don't get swept up in all the let-downs.  Having a plan laid out for the here-and-now is as important as having a plan for your the future of your business. Doing this will require work, a commitment and some time. But a well-thought out vision that gets your business on the right path along with your associates on board will equal great success.

You will need a well established vision whether you're working for yourself or running a large corporation.  Taking the proper steps will keep your vision from only becoming a wish.

STEP 1

What is the difference between a mission and a vision?

{A mission statement is a snap-shop of your business. It defines who you are and what you do. It can also be a statement of what you want your company to be.}

            EXAMPLES

Barnes & Nobles, Inc.

Barnes & Nobles, Inc is one of the major bookstores in the USA with over 665 branches all over 49 states. Aside from this, Barnes & Nobles also sells DVDs and videos, music CDs, magazines, etc. and has distribution rights to nearly 10,000 publications.

The Hershey Company

Recognized as being the producer of the Hershey's Kisses, The Hershey Company makes chocolate, candy, and baking items such as ice cream toppings, cocoa mix, peanut butter, etc. Among its brands of chocolate are Reese's peanut butter cups, Twizzlers licorice, and Kit Kat, to name a few. 

{A vision statement tells where your business is going. It's a roadmap to operations and success.}

            EXAMPLES

            Tour Company

Within the next five years, ZZZ Tours will become the premier eco-tour company in Alaska, increasing revenues to 1 million dollars in 2010 by becoming internationally known for the comfort and excitement of the whale-watching tours it offers.

Trader Joe’s

“To bring our customers the best food and beverage values and the information to make informed buying decisions.

Software Company

We will increase the productivity and efficiency of our software development processes by 50% using  quantitative defect metrics.

STEP 2

Establishing your Vision

When sitting down to create or re-create your vision statement, there are 3 key things to remember.

1. Find a true defining vision that you can get behind and believe that it’s the right path for your organization. Don’t search the web for feel-good poetic writings that have no meaning to your company. You and your associates won't care or believe in it. It's not about sounding good, its about creating something meaningful. Think about your company and identify the key success factors of it in the future. Rely on your feelings, objectives and own plans, not someone else's.
2. Writing a vision statement will take some time. After it is written, put it aside and come back to it later. Re-read it, do you still like it? Tweak it. Does it say too much, or not enough? Can you live with it for a while? Is it truly the direction you want your company to head in? Remember that your vision statement is about your future, write it to reflect that. Use words such as "will be", "going to be" and "become".

3. Although you want to come up with the meat of the vision statement, getting your team members involved is crucial. If they feel like they are a part of the vision and a part of the company, they will be more willing to work toward your goals. Your associates input can be extremely valuable. Listen to their input, sometimes they see things that you have overlooked.

STEP 3

Putting your Vision to Work

Now the vision is out there and everyone is on board. It's your responsibility to keep the vision alive. What are some things you can do to keep moving forward?

• Post your vision everywhere. Create posters, stickers and signs (T-shirts are great too). Act as if you are promoting your latest and greatest product or service to your clients. Place it in the lunchroom, in the restrooms, above the water cooler. Don't make your associates try to remember what the vision is that you created months ago. We tend to forget what's not in front of us everyday. Help them to keep it alive and important.
• Talk about your vision all the time. Now, don't be condescending about it, but uplifting, encouraging and excited. Use your vision in your weekly pow-wows with your associates. Show them progress based on where your going. Show them what can be worked on to head in the right direction.
• Be the vision you want portrayed. If you don't believe it, neither will  they. If your associates see you pursuing the vision, they will follow in your footsteps. Operate in a manner that is in line with your vision statement.

Step 4

Evaluation of your Vision Statement

At times you will notice that a vision statement no longer is working or motivating. Or maybe the company shifted in a way that you didn't expect. Don't just keep the same old vision statement, hoping that it will still work. Reevaluate the vision statement and adjust it to the current circumstances. Vision statements are not stagnant, they are ever-changing.

There will be times that you have also achieved your vision. Don't let that be the stopping ground for visions. It's time to create a new one, to go a step further with your company. Remember, a company without vision will perish! Don't let that happen to one of your most valued possessions.

As always, Make an Impact everyday!