{"id":29083,"date":"2018-02-22T17:46:00","date_gmt":"2018-02-22T17:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gator4105.temp.domains\/~qlksear1\/?p=29083"},"modified":"2023-02-06T21:19:26","modified_gmt":"2023-02-06T21:19:26","slug":"mission-vision-values","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/gator4105.temp.domains\/~qlksear1\/mission-vision-values\/","title":{"rendered":"Mission, Vision, and Values"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Jenette Nagy and Stephen B. Fawcett of the University of Kansas suggest in a document<\/a> prepared for the school’s online Community Toolbox that the difference between organizations that “know exactly what they’re doing, are consistent in their aims and activities, and move forward with a sense of purpose” and those that “seem to flounder, not quite sure how to move ahead or how to accomplish their goals, very often…slipping quietly away” is, in many cases, that the latter lack a clear vision and mission. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Statements of mission and vision are essential parts of a successful strategic plan. They help to attract, engage, and retain talent; build and strengthen organizational culture through a unified sense of purpose; improve decision-making with clarity about the “big picture”; enhance cross-functional relationships through a shared understanding of priorities; and increase productivity by leveraging all resources. In fact, a 2001 study<\/a> in the journal Management Decision indicated that organizations that have clearly defined vision and mission statements that are aligned with a strategic plan outperform those that do not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to ensure a successful future, an organization must be able to define both its reason for existing (mission) and where it is heading (vision), so that its people, processes, and products or services are aligned. Vision and mission statements help clarify and communicate organizational purpose, putting the focus on what is really important in the face of day-to-day challenges. Vision and mission statements also give those outside of the organization a quick and easy view of what the organization is about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many companies, however, struggle with creating meaningful mission and vision statements, perhaps lacking a true understanding of what each addresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vision<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A vision statement is a short phrase that clearly, concisely, and memorably captures the company’s long-term “dream.” It is usually created by senior management, with the goal of guiding thinking beyond day-to-day activity, presenting high-level goals for the business. Vision statements are easy to communicate so that they can be kept top-of-mind. They identify what the organization ideally wants to become and serve to inspire and challenge employees, keeping them moving forward and engendering feelings of excitement and pride. The vision statement comes back to what the company’s founder envisioned for the business when it was created, and stretches the company’s feelings about its capabilities. Some examples of vision statements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n