useful or just fluff

[Robert Anderson]

Do you think that the vision statement and mission statement is just fluff
or is really genuinely important?

If so, why, especially if the business is running reasonably well?

I think these are good ideas so by questioning it I am kind of playing the
devil's advocate...

[Wayne Lundberg]

Post by Robert Anderson
Do you think that the vision statement and mission statement is just fluff
or is really genuinely important?
If so, why, especially if the business is running reasonably well?
I think these are good ideas so by questioning it I am kind of playing the
devil's advocate...
--
Robert Anderson

An entrepreneur has four major tasks. Every time they open their mouth they
must be 'pushing' all or one of these tasks. They cannot do it if they do
not have a clear vision of their company's future, which are expressed in
the mission and vision of their enterprise. His/her vision must be put into
words.

Imagine our entrepreneur on the way to the tenth floor on an elevator. Next
to this person is another person looking at the flashing lights. Our future
CEO has only seconds to get the message across. At the end of the trip, when
the doors open, the other person should do one of the following as a
response to the mission/vision statement:

Want to join the effort by being an employee, sales rep, consultant.
Want to buy the product/service
Want to recommend the product/service to their friends
Want to sell to this organization on open credit
Want to buy stock in the company.

Can you imagine any company succeeding without a vision/mission statement?

Wayne
My purpose in life is to help you succeed. Test me!
(Mission/vision statement)

www.pueblaprotocol.com
Free, a lifetime of successful ventures, condensed into simple step by step
procedures anybody can copy and use.

[Mark Carroll]

Post by Robert Anderson
Do you think that the vision statement and mission statement is just fluff
or is really genuinely important?

I suspect that most of them are just fluff. I think they're important only
when they truly reflect reality and genuine motivations. I think the same's
true of business plans, actually.

Post by Robert Anderson
If so, why, especially if the business is running reasonably well?

I think that they're good for letting customers and prospective
employees know what sort of company you are - what you value, and the
type of environment and service they can expect from you. Then, it's
easier to find a good match.

Post by Robert Anderson
I think these are good ideas so by questioning it I am kind of playing the
devil's advocate...

Sure, I often play the Devil's Advocate in order to better understand
the foundation of another's point of view.

-- Mark

[Richard]

Post by Robert Anderson
Do you think that the vision statement and mission statement is just fluff
or is really genuinely important?
If so, why, especially if the business is running reasonably well?
I think these are good ideas so by questioning it I am kind of playing the
devil's advocate...

IF they accurately reflect the philosophy of the principals;
and the principals ACTIONS reinforce the statements under all
circumstances (not just when convenient!); the employees are provided
reasonable training, tools, and are sufficiently empowered to carry out
the statements, I believe they are absolutely invaluable.

I have had the misfortune of working for both new and established
companies (and I use the term loosely) where the purpose of efforts was
either unclear, or seemingly everchanging, and this creates a very
frustrating work environment for employees of all experience levels and
personality types. Companies with a clear and well-communicated
direction are far more likely to provide an environment for performance
simply because they are more clearly focused.

[Mark Carroll]

In article <***@news.supernews.com>,
Richard <***@hotmail.com> wrote:
(snip)

Post by Richard
I have had the misfortune of working for both new and established
companies (and I use the term loosely) where the purpose of efforts was
either unclear, or seemingly everchanging, and this creates a very
frustrating work environment for employees of all experience levels and
personality types. Companies with a clear and well-communicated

(snip)

Exactly. I find that I am having to (make time to) articulate more and
more of my vision for the company because, without communicating it
well, I can't delegate enough to people and have them make decisions
that I'd be happy with. And, I need to delegate, because as we grow it
is increasingly impossible for me to have much of a finger in most of
our pies.

-- Mark

[Brian Flanagan]

The Mission and Vision are, to my mind, two of the most "theoretical"
elements of a strategic plan and have very limited value in isolation
(outside of public relations).

We have a planning sequence which starts with Vision and Mission and
then considers Values (of business) and Objectives (of owners).
Against this background,the SWOT follows. This then leads into the
highly practical Strategies, Programs and Goals. So M&V are by our
reckoning just two elements of a eight stage process.

A lots depends on commitments of owners to their Vision and Mission.
However, without follow through into the other five areas, V&M are
probably just fluffy aspirations.

I'd suggest that this type of strategic planning could be much more
useful to a successful business than for one that is in terminal
decline. For the former there are a diversity of options whereas for
the latter the options are more limited.

We have an online strategic planner at
<http://www.planware.org/strategicplanner.htm> which many people find
useful for sorting out their ideas.


On Tue, 22 Mar 2005 23:44:16 -0000, "Robert Anderson"

Post by Robert Anderson
Do you think that the vision statement and mission statement is just fluff
or is really genuinely important?
If so, why, especially if the business is running reasonably well?

--
Brian Flanagan Invest-Tech Limited, Ireland
<http://www.planware.org> <http://www.business-plan-guide.biz>
Extensive advice about business planning, finance, management & enterprise ...
Planning shareware, on-line financial planner, planning software store ...