This question came in from one of our readers wanting to know about what a vision statement is and how to write one for her business.
If you have a
small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.
Q: I have lots of questions
about vision statements:
- What is a vision statement?
- What's the difference between a vision statement and a mission statement?
- Which should I write first?
- What does a vision statement look like? Is there a formula?
A: Here's my business made easy answer:
Vision and mission statements are two separate
entities that answer two different, yet complementary, questions about
your business. Simply put, your vision statement answers the
question: "Where do you see your business going?" Your mission
statement answers, "Why do we exist?"
From the start, vision
statements are future focused and written with the end result in mind.
Mission statements are focused in the present and tell you the
fundamental purpose of that business.
Which comes first, the vision or the mission?
If
you are a new business just starting up, or if you are a larger company
getting ready to add a new program, or an existing organization
planning to overhaul your current services, then write your vision
statement first.
If you are an established business with a
mission statement already in place, then let your mission guide the
writing of your vision statement.
Top Five Things to Keep in Mind When Writing Your Vision Statement
1. Describe outcomes that are five to ten years out.
2. Dream big and focus on success.
3. Write your vision statement in the present tense.
4. Infuse it with passion.
5. Paint a graphic mental picture of the business you want.
There
is no space limit when writing a vision statement. Vision statements
are written in paragraph form, and often contain one or more
paragraphs. Write as much as you need to create a dynamic mental
picture of your business that will serve to energize and inspire you
and your team.
Two Vision Statement Formulae for Success
Here
are two basic vision statement formulae. The first one is for
businesses starting up without a mission statement, and the second is
for those businesses that are already established or have a mission
statement in place.
1. Five years from now, _______________________________ (name of your business)
will
become a successful ___________________________ (type or description of
business including whether it will be local, regional, national, or
international in its scope)
by providing ____________________________(description of your products and/or services)
to _____________________________________________(your customers).
Example: Five
years from now, the Sierra Woman's Shelter will become a successfully
run non-profit shelter serving the Greater Pittsburgh area providing
education, life-skills training, and the necessary support to help
women who have been previously battered or abused build
self-sufficient, sustaining, prosperous lives.
2. Within the next ________ (add a number) years,
grow ___________________________________ (name of your business)
into
a successful _______________________________________ (type or
description of business including whether it will be local, regional,
national, or international in its scope),
increasing revenues to ____________________________ (amount) by _________________ (date)
providing _______________________________(description of your products and/or services)
to _____________________________________________(your customers).
Example: Within
the next five years, grow Cultural Awareness Travel into the premier
North American woman's tour company increasing revenues to $225,000 by
2012 by becoming known for helping women develop greater
self-awareness, confidence, and discover a new respect for diversity
through cross-cultural exposure.
So, that's it. Vision statement in a nutshell.
If you have a
small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert
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