Creating Vision and Mission Statements

Creating Vision and Mission Statements : Creating Vision and Mission Statements “Be the change you want to see in the world.”Gandhi.

What is a Vision Statement? : What is a Vision Statement? Identifies where the organization intends to be in the future or where it should be to best meet the needs of stakeholders. Incorporates a shared understanding of the nature and purpose of the organization and uses this understanding to move the organization toward a greater purpose. It is a business’s guiding image of success. “Destiny is not a matter of chance, but of choice. Not something to wish for, but to attain.”William Jennings Bryan

Why do we need one? : Why do we need one? Vision Statements are a tool to inspire and provide a sense of direction and purpose. A vision provides the fabric for working together and accomplishing our goals. A good vision statement will help when there are no clear answers, or for critical decisions that will fundamentally impact your products or services. Control your destiny or someone else will!” Jack Welch

What makes a good Vision Statement? : What makes a good Vision Statement? Short, Simple, powerful. Remember a vision is meant to inspire, has an emotional impact. It must give a clear direction or mental image to anyone that reads it. Provide a sense of belonging to the stakeholders. “We provide the world’s builders.” Example Vision

Example Visions : Example Visions Star Trek has one of the best known vision statements “ Space – the final frontier” Japanese Heavy Equipment Maker – “Kill Caterpillar” McDonald’sWe are committedTo doing what is right.To being a good neighbor and partner in the communityTo conduct our business with the environment in mind "A good company delivers excellent products and services, a great one delivers excellent products and services and strives to make the world a better place."-William Clay Ford, Chairman and CEO I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor.” Henry David Thoreau

How do you write a Vision? : How do you write a Vision? Ask yourself “why?” Write down your ideas for why we are here. This the dream, the thought of success. Ask yourself “what?” Write down your ideas on what makes you excited about our work, what provides the zest and zeal to get people to show up every day. This is the emotion. Ask yourself “where?” Write down your ideas on where the Muskegon mill should be in the next 5 or 10 years. This the path or goal we all must meet. “Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” Albert Einstein

How do you write a Vision? : How do you write a Vision? Collect all your ideas and start putting together short statements that incorporate the elements you have come up with. Remember to keep your language simple. Use action words, passive words lack passion. If you have to use a lot of comma’s or other punctuation your missing it. “All know the way, but few actually walk it.” Bodhidharma

A Vision Statement Analysed : A Vision Statement Analysed To be the coated free sheet producer of choice in North America. Why – We have the thought of success here, to be number one, but it is hidden. What – There is not much here to inspire. The action words are passive. Where – The where is clearly stated. We want to be the producer of choice.

What is a Mission Statement? : What is a Mission Statement? A statement of the role, or purpose, by which an organization intends to serve its stakeholders. Describes what the organization does (current capabilities), who it serves (stakeholders), and what makes the organization unique (justification for existence). Mission statements always exist at the top level of an organization, but may also be set for different organizational levels or components. A mission statement is simply an organization's reason for existing. “Outstanding people have one thing in common: an absolute sense of mission.” Zig Ziglar

What does a Mission Statement Do? : What does a Mission Statement Do? Tells our story and ideals in less than 30 seconds. Provides the focus when our path forward is not clear. Serves as a “home base.” If well written can help reduce “clutter” in our other documents and processes. “The best way to make a fire with two sticks is to make sure one of them is a match.” Will Rogers

Why should a business unit need one? : Why should a business unit need one? Many times the companies over all mission statement does not provide specific motivation for a highly specialized department. Every team or department or subgroup can benefit from a mission statement. Sometimes they can be just the problem stated as a goal. Again as a tool they keep us on track to meet the companies overall Vision. “Begin—to begin is half the work, let half still remain; again begin this and thou wilt have finished.” Decimus Magnus Ausonius

The Look and Feel : The Look and Feel When presented a mission statement should be a cross between a slogan and an executive summary. A mission statement is your business first impression, sometimes only impression for stakeholders. It should suggest an action (purpose) Identify that action only vaguely (business activity) Include a social Categorization (values) “Concentrate all your thoughts on the task at hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” Alexander Graham Bell

Writing a Mission Statement : Writing a Mission Statement This is not a short process, it may have to be continued outside of this meeting. Look for all the things we have in common. Make a list. Write down all the things that make us different from our competition. Write down our success, the things we do well. Write down our challenges, the things we could do better. Look for the verbs, the actions that we do. Make a new list. Start constructing a short statement that reflects the items you have identified above. Keep it to 3 or 4 short sentences. All the problems become smaller if you don’t dodge them, but confront them. Touch a thistle timidly, and it pricks you; grasp it boldly, its spines crumble.” William S. Halsey

Reviewing what you have : Reviewing what you have Now as a group make sure your mission statement drafts are right for you. Do they flow? No long words, to many breaks, conflicting points? Is it catchy? Do the words stick in your mind? Is it understandable? Do you actually believe your mission statement? “Example is leadership. ” Albert Schweitzer

Writing a Mission Statement : Writing a Mission Statement Write the most popular statements each on a clean sheet of paper. As a group review them. Do any final tweaking of language. Reach consensus on the one that best represents your group. Try it on someone that has not seen it and see if they get it. Genius is made, not born.” Michael Gelb

Summary : Summary Vision Mission