| > | | | | organization It results in increased and more |
| Just as important as visual sight is for your life, a vision | | | | meaningful commitment from management and |
| for your self and business is just as critical to achieving | | | | workers Greater focus and clarity to your desired |
| your goals. Here are 4 easy steps towards creating a | | | | future |
| powerful vision for your business. | | | | Here are 4 easy steps towards creating a powerful |
| Think of a time when you had your vision checked at | | | | vision for your business:Step 1: Schedule Uninterrupted |
| the ophthalmologist. The Dr. assessed your current | | | | Time Ensure this time is away from the office. It'si |
| prescription, tested your vision (Which looks clearer, | | | | mportant to take time away to work ON your |
| 1 or 2?), ensured you were able to see all the | | | | business instead of just IN it. This time is about creating |
| colors of life, prescribed a new prescription, and then | | | | or reconnecting with your vision. |
| helped get that prescription filled with new glasses or | | | | Step 2: Formulate Your ThoughtsDuring this time, |
| contacts. Creating or reconnect with your personal or | | | | answer the following questions (and any others) that |
| business vision is accomplished in the same way. | | | | will help you formulate your vision: What do I really |
| Just as important as visual sight is for your | | | | want? What's the impact I desire for my business |
| life, a vision for your self and business is just as critical | | | | to make in our industry or community Where do I |
| to achieving your goals. According to | | | | want to take my business? Why is this important to |
| Humanresources.about.com, Both people and | | | | me? How will I feel when I accomplish this vision? |
| organizations need to establish a strategic framework | | | | Step 3: Craft Your Vision StatementOnce you have |
| for significant success. Your vision is a | | | | thoughtfully prepared answers to the above questions, |
| statement of what your organization wants to | | | | and any others you identified, you are ready to craft |
| become. It gives shape and direction to your | | | | your vision. Summarize your answers into a positive |
| organizations future. It is different from a mission | | | | affirming statement written in first person. Make |
| statement, which is a statement of your organizations | | | | statements about the future you plan to achieve. Write |
| purpose and function. The Alliance for | | | | the statements as if you are already making them |
| Nonprofit Management had this to say about the | | | | happen in your lifeExamples:ABC Corporation is |
| importance of a strong vision: There is one | | | | recognized and respected as one of the premier |
| universal rule of planning: You will never be greater | | | | technology solution providers to small and mid-sized |
| than the vision that guides you - - - The vision | | | | customers.The Westin Hotels’ vision is "Year |
| statement should require the organization's members | | | | after year, Westin and its people will be regarded as |
| to stretch their expectations, aspirations, and | | | | the best and most sought after hotel and resort |
| performance. Without that powerful, attractive, valuable | | | | management group in North America." |
| vision, why bother? Why bother indeed? Well, a | | | | Step 4: Bring Your Vision to LifeShare your vision with |
| strongly articulated vision statement communicates | | | | a colleague or your staff. Type up your statement and |
| values; it is literally a possible dream. Some inherent | | | | post it in prominent places to keep you excited about |
| benefits of creating a vision for your business are: | | | | your future. The very same steps can be used to |
| Unification of people at all levels toward a common | | | | create a personal vision for your life or a particular |
| goal Provide a sound foundation for decision | | | | goal. These steps seem simple, but will require some |
| making Empowers an enterprise Builds on the | | | | serious time and contemplation in order to result in a |
| past It is a vehicle for developing and | | | | powerful statement. May you soon be seeing a |
| communicating common values throughout the | | | | brighter tomorrow! |