How to Develop a Company Vision Statement

Developing a vision statement is an opportunity for all members of a company or organization to come together, look at their areas of expertise and collectively decide the future of the enterprise. Writing a vision statement can help to keep your company focused, inspired and committed to the future.

Instructions

1. Bring together key employees, diverse interest groups, experts and others who represent your company's community. Choose to gather in a focus group, through ongoing task force, at a retreat, or through an advisory panel.

2. Set limitations on what the vision statement addresses. It must be feasible, realistic and transferable into future plans.

3. Identify what each interest group feels is important. Look for themes and common traits among the participants. If there are many ideas, prioritize similarities before ruling any out.

4. Think of the future. Dream big but make your vision realistic. Write a vision statement that is achievable and inspires employees to strive for more.

5. Draft the vision statement. Everyone needs to be comfortable with the language and wording.

6. Revise the statement. All invested parties must agree on the final vision statement.

7. Discuss the vision statement with the staff. Distribute flyers or memos, and hang posters to publicize it. The more you talk about the statement, the easier it is to implement. A vision statement lives on in your company's culture if it is talked about on a regular basis.

Tips & Warnings

• A vision statement needs to offer direction to employees and inspire them to collectively work to meet the goals and values of the organization.