By Bridie Walsh
Ideas are the ultimate commodity
for any business. Especially a start-up. But even if you have a million ideas
and yet no vision, it’s unlikely your business will last.
The fact is "if you are working on something you really care about, you don't have to be pushed. The vision pulls you." - Steve Jobs
A vision statement articulates your vision and distils the single-minded purpose of why your business exists.
·
Inspire
·
Be true
·
Be essential
·
Be clear
·
Have a global impact
Vision statements are not for small
thoughts. Vision statements are big. To come close to realising your business
statement will mean world-changing impact.
Your vision statement shouldn’t
hold back. It’s there to inspire.
It also needs, at its essence, to
be true. The purpose and importance of what your business is doing needs to be
captured in your vision statement. It also needs to capture what it is you
essentially do.
Most of all, a vision statement is
clear. No nonsense, to the point, and if you can say it in less words – well
done. Yet, perhaps your visions is simply too big and too far reaching to be
said with few words, so say a lot and make it count.
At the end of the day, your vision
statement captures who you are, why you do what you do and why you think it is
important for the world around you.
So what’s your vision?
Take the time to think this
through. Write it down. Then share it.
Once your vision is clear. It informs
your mission – how you plan do make your vision a reality. And it informs your
values – the way you do what you do and the culture your business creates for
its employees and its customers.
Through the ups and downs of building your business from scratch into a growing and succeeding company, your vision statement will carry you and your staff through.
When you have a vision, you have a
destination you are leading your business to. It will help you stay the course.
