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What is a Vision Statement?
A vision statement is a brief, inspiring description of what you hope to achieve. It is typically used as part of a strategic plan or business plan to provide long-term direction for an organization or individual. A good vision statement should be clear, concise, and easy to remember.
It should also be actionable, meaning that it should inspire people to take action towards achieving the vision. A vision statement is a roadmap for an organization, and it needs to fit with the company’s core values, culture, and mission. Creating a comprehensive and well-fitting vision statement allows businesses to pursue short-term objectives while remaining mindful of long-term goals.
Definition
A vision statement is defined as a description of what a company aspires to achieve, typically five to ten years down the line. It shows a future view of the company and sets where it plans on heading with its business. A vision statement is different from a mission statement, which describes the overall purpose of an organization. A vision statement should: inspires people to take action, be clear and concise, be easy to remember, be achievable, and be aligned with the company’s culture, mission, and values.
A company’s vision statement describes its declaration of mid-term and long-term goals for the next few years, as well as what it wants to achieve in the long term. The vision statement is a company’s road map, which guides it through the journey to success. A vision statement can be used for different purposes like long-term planning, goal setting, and inspiration.
What’s the difference between Mission and Vision Statements?
Mission statements tell those who are interested in our company why it exists and where we stand presently. Vision statements, on the other hand, inspire staff members while determining future goals. Hence mission statements describe the present scenario while vision statements are future-based.
A vision statement can help entrepreneurs see the big picture and make decisions that are in line with their goals. It can also inspire and motivate employees to work towards a common goal. A mission statement focuses on the present and what the company is doing to achieve its goals.
How to Write a Company Vision Statement
To write an effective vision statement, start by brainstorming a list of your company’s long-term goals. Once you have a clear idea of where you want your business to be in the future, you can start writing your statement. Some of the steps you need to follow are-
1. Knowing the Core Values of Your Company
Every company has a set of values that guide its actions and decisions.
If you want your vision statement to be truly effective, it needs to reflect the core values of your company.
2. Defining Your Company Mission
A company’s mission statement is a brief description of what it does and why it exists. It should be clear, concise, and easy to remember.
If you want your vision statement to be effective, it needs to be aligned with your company’s mission.
3. Understanding Your Company Culture
Your company’s culture is the set of values, norms, and beliefs that guide its actions and decisions.
To create a vision statement that is truly effective, you need to understand your company culture and make sure that it is reflected in your statement.
4. Identifying Current Strategic Goals
Your vision statement should be aligned with your company’s current strategic goals.
This will help ensure that your statement is actionable and inspires people to take action towards achieving the vision.
5. Defining Future Goals
The best way to write a vision statement is to think about your company’s future goals. What do you want to achieve in the next five years?
What does success look like for your company? Once you have a clear idea of your future goals, you can start writing your vision statement.
6. Writing Your Vision Statement
Now that you have all the information you need, you can start writing your vision statement. Keep it clear, concise, and easy to remember.
And make sure that it is aligned with your company’s mission, values, and culture.
How to use your Vision Statement?
Your vision statement is a powerful tool that can help you achieve your business goals. But it’s not enough to just write a vision statement and put it on a shelf. You need to use it as a guide to make decisions and take action. Here are some ways you can do that-
One of the best ways to use your vision statement is to use it as a filter for decision-making. Every time you’re faced with a decision, ask yourself whether it is in line with your vision. If it’s not, then it’s probably not the right decision for your business.
Your vision statement can also be used to inspire and motivate your employees. Use it to remind them of what your company is trying to achieve and why their work is important.
Finally, use your vision statement as a measure of success. Use it to track your progress and see how close you are to achieving your vision.
Tips for your Vision Statement
Here are some tips to keep in mind when writing your vision statement
1. Keep it simple
Your vision statement should be easy to understand and remember. It should be no more than a few sentences long.
2. Be Concise
As we mentioned above, your vision statement should be short and to the point. It should be no more than a few sentences long. This will help ensure that it is easy to understand and remember.
3. Be Clear
Your vision statement should be clear and concise. It should be easy to understand what your company is trying to achieve. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that might not be familiar to everyone.
4. Have a Time Horizon
Your vision statement should have a time horizon. It should be clear when you want to achieve your vision. This will help you create a timeline for your goals and track your progress.
5. Make it Future-Oriented
Your vision statement should be future-oriented. It should be focused on what you want to achieve, not what you have already achieved. This will help you stay motivated and inspired to achieve your goals.
6. Be Stable
Your vision statement should be stable. It should not change frequently. This will help ensure that your employees are clear about your company’s direction and goals.
7. Be Challenging
Your vision statement should be challenging. It should be ambitious and inspire people to take action. But it should also be realistic and achievable.
8. Be Abstract
Your vision statement should be abstract. It should not be too specific or concrete. This will help ensure that it is flexible and can be adapted as your company grows and changes.
9. Be Inspiring
An inspiring vision statement motivates people to take action and achieve your company’s goals. Inspiring vision statements use strong language that evokes emotion and paints a picture of what your company will achieve.
10. Have a Call to Action
Your vision statement should have a call to action. It should inspire people to take action and achieve your company’s goals. Use strong language that evokes emotion and urges people to take action.
Purpose of a Vision Statement
A vision statement’s purpose refers to why the statement exists and what role it plays within an organization. A vision statement is meant to be aspirational; it should describe the desired future state of the organization. Additionally, a vision statement should be brief and easy to remember.
A compelling vision statement is important because it provides direction and motivation for an organization. It should inspire people to take action and achieve the company’s goals. Additionally, a vision statement can be used as a filter for decision-making. It can help you determine if a decision is in line with your company’s goals and values.
Vision statement template
If you’re having trouble writing your own vision statement, you can use this template to ease down your vision statement writing-
“Our company is ___________ (name of company). We are a ___________ (type of company) that provides ___________ (products or services). Our mission is to ___________ (statement of mission). Our vision is to ___________ (statement of vision).”
Here’s an example of how this template could be filled out-
“Our company is ABC Corporation. We are a leading provider of XYZ products and services. Our mission is to provide quality products and services that meet our customers’ needs. Our vision is to be the most trusted and respected provider of XYZ products and services.”
Vision Statement Examples
1. LinkedIn
“Create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce.”
It suggests that LinkedIn is not only a platform for connecting professionals but also a way to create economic opportunities.
2. Amazon
“Our vision is to be earth’s most customer-centric company; to build a place where people can come to find and discover anything they might want to buy online.”
This vision statement talks about Amazon’s goal to be the most customer-centric company.
It also suggests that Amazon is a place where people can discover anything they might want to buy online.
3. Google
“To provide access to the world’s information in one click.”
This statement from Google suggests that the company’s goal is to provide access to information.
It also suggests that Google makes it easy to find this information.
4. Apple
“Apple strives to bring the best personal computing experience to students, educators, creative professionals, and consumers around the world through its innovative hardware, software, and internet offerings.”
This vision statement from Apple talks about the company’s goal to provide the best personal computing experience.
It also suggests that Apple offers innovative hardware, software, and internet products.
5. Caterpillar
“Our vision is a world in which all people’s basic needs – such as shelter, clean water, sanitation, food, and reliable power – are fulfilled in an environmentally sustainable way and a company that improves the quality of the environment and the communities where we live and work.”
This vision statement from Caterpillar talks about the company’s goal to improve the quality of the environment.
It also suggests that Caterpillar is a company that strives to make a difference in the communities where it operates.
6. Coca-Cola
“Our vision is to craft the brands and choice of drinks that people love, to refresh them in body & spirit. And done in ways that create a more sustainable business and better-shared future that makes a difference in people’s lives, communities, and our planet.”
This vision statement from Coca-Cola talks about the company’s goal to create brands that people love.
It also suggests that Coca-Cola wants to make a difference in the world by making a more sustainable business.
7. IKEA
“To create a better everyday life for the many people.”
This vision statement from IKEA talks about the company’s goal to improve everyday life for its customers.
8. Nike
“We see a world where everybody is an athlete — united in the joy of movement. Driven by our passion for sport and our instinct for innovation, we aim to bring inspiration to every athlete in the world and to make sport a daily habit.”
This vision statement from Nike talks about the company’s goal to unite people through the joy of movement.
It also suggests that Nike is driven by innovation and a passion for the sport.
9. Starbucks
“To establish Starbucks as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world while maintaining our uncompromising principles while we grow.
This vision statement from Starbucks talks about the company’s goal to be the premier provider of coffee.
It also suggests that Starbucks will maintain its principles as it grows.
10. Tesla
“To create the most compelling car company of the 21st century by driving the world’s transition to electric vehicles,” while its mission is “to accelerate the advent of sustainable transport by bringing compelling mass-market electric cars to market as soon as possible.”
This vision statement from Tesla talks about the company’s goal to create electric vehicles.
It also suggests that Tesla wants to make a difference in the world by bringing sustainable transport options to market.
Conclusion!
On the concluding note, it is clear that a vision statement is a powerful tool that can help individuals and organizations to achieve their desired future.
A vision statement can provide direction, inspire people and create a shared sense of purpose. It is important to remember that a vision statement is not something that is set in stone and can be changed over time as circumstances change.
If you are looking to create or update your own vision statement, then use the tips and examples above as a starting point. And don’t forget to share your vision statement with others so that they can be inspired by it too!
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