How to Write a Vision Statement for a Company

A vision statement is a brief listing of the ideals and goals that your company strives to exceed. Your vision statement helps motivate your employees toward a common goal while proving to investors or shareholders that you are heading in the right direction. The process of writing a vision statement for your company requires an introspective look at why your business exists.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• List of goals
• Dry erase board

Craft a Statement of Your Company's Vision

1. Review sample vision statements before you write one for your new venture. Vision statements differ from person to person, but looking at a number of examples may help you focus in on a singular vision for your company. Websites like Time Thoughts provide examples of vision statements used for personal and professional purposes (see Resources below).
2. Create a list of your company's goals and principles as the first step in your vision statement process. You need to know the goals and benchmarks you set for your business before you create an overall vision. Write these goals on a dry erase board or distribute copies to everyone involved in the planning process to keep everyone on task.
3. Speak to the rest of your ownership team about their vision for the company. While your group may agree on specific achievements for the company, you need to agree on a unifying statement before proceeding with business activities.
4. Develop small sample vision statements which fit your specific goals and the public profile you want to create. A list of four or five statements allows you to gauge which one works best with promotional materials, investor documents and other print material.
5. Perform some market research after you write your draft version of the vision statement. You can utilize friends, family and colleagues in different industrial sectors to test out the effectiveness of your vision statement in getting people interested in your company.
6. Promote your vision statement in every document that you distribute from your company. Letters, bulletins and newsletters should feature this statement prominently to keep every aspect of your business focused on your larger goal. You can also write your vision statement as a screen saver or use it on large posters around the halls of your company.

Tips & Warnings

• Match your vision statement with your company plan and other important business documents. Owners often run into the problem of developing a solid vision statement and forgetting about it as they complete a plan for investors or grant applications. Keep a copy of your vision statement nearby during the business planning process.