Seven Exercises That Help Develop a Business Mission and Vision Statement

Mission and vision statements generate a lot of attention in the business world, ever wonder why? Building a successful business is part of the motivation. After all, you should understand exactly why you are in business. Your employees should not only reflect this but deliver on that understanding and of course, the marketplace should be taking you seriously. All that from mission and vision statements you ask? Yes. Understand that developing your business mission and vision statements is your guide to accomplishing your future business success. We have all heard the adage "there is no such thing as a free lunch." There is no one else that can speak to your business as you can. That means the work to develop these statements is primarily yours.

The following exercises speak to your mission (starting point, or reason for existence) statement and vision (your future destination) statement.

1. In this first exercise your job is to list the strengths and expertise of your business or organization. If you are starting your business list those aspects for your proposed business. Write your answers down. Keep it simple but thorough. Remember your employees or marketplace cannot read your mind.
2. Describe your business in detail. Make your mission statement broad enough to include future products/services but detailed enough to be realistic.
3. Honestly describe why you are in this business. The answers listed here are often eye opening and serve as the anchor words for your statement.
4. What products or services are you going to provide in this business, and who is your market? Be sure to speak to your business product or service and its effect on people.
5. What values will you practice? What does your business offer that will make a difference to your employees, your clients, your community, your industry, your partners?
6. What is your business' measure of success?
7. Does your vision statement reflect your business with clarity, commitment and provide the ability to communicate with your employees, your clients and the marketplace?

When you have completed these exercises you will understand exactly why you made your decision to become a business; or create your organization; why you chose to offer a service, or your product. You will also find a true appreciation for the mission and vision statements of successful businesses around you and the opportunities you have in joining their ranks.

Don Midgett is the author of Mission and Vision Statements: Your Path to a Successful Business Future, 81 pages in digital format (pdf) at http://www.missionvisionstatement.com

Don is the managing partner for the GenesisGroup, helping organizations and leaders discover their full potential. Don specializes in workshops on mission and vision, strategic planning, and team building.

To begin your path to success, write your mission and vision statements! Need help? You can find it at http://www.missionvisionstatement.com - visit NOW - subscribe to our free newsletter, Mission Vision News, to learn more. Ready to go? Then purchase my e-book on mission and vision for one of the best business purchases you will make!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Don_Midgett