Writing a vision statement for your business can be challenging because it must define your company values and future goals. While many established companies focus on their mission statement, a vision statement is a valuable tool for inspiring your team and giving you direction for the future.
What is a Vision Statement?
A vision statement is a written declaration clarifying your business's meaning and purpose. It describes the desired long-term results of your company's efforts. Think of it as the North Star of your company.
A vision statement reveals what you want your company to achieve in the future. It is meant to inspire and give overall direction to your team. It is your guiding light. Your vision statement is a view of how the world should be as a result of your work and the existence of your company
The Vision Statement Format
- Short- Your vision statement should be concise – no longer than a sentence or two. You want your entire company to be able to repeat it quickly and, more importantly, understand it.
- Inspiring- It needs to be unique and memorable
- Longevity- Your vision statement needs to remain unchanged for at least 25+ years.
Step 1- Map Out Your Future Goals
Start by mapping out or listing your business's most audacious goals. Imagine what you want your company and the world will look like if you achieve them. That zoomed-out view of your success is the heart of your vision statement.
Here is the crucial question to ask yourself:
"What ultimate impact do I want my company to have on the world (or my community) in the future?
Dream big and focus on success!
Step 2- Format and Tone
The following are some guidelines to help you write your vision statement.
- Use the present tense.
- Use clear, concise, jargon-free language.
- Infuse it with passion and make it inspiring.
- Align it with your business values and goals.
- Create a plan to communicate your vision statement to your employees.
- Prepare to commit time and resources to the vision you establish.
Step 3- Key Questions to Answer to Write Your Vision Statement
- What do we want our company to look like in the future (25+years)?
- Where are we going?
- What can we realistically achieve?
- What words or phrases depict the type of company we want to be?
9 Examples of Inspiring Vision Statements
Some unique and distinct vision statements may be all the inspiration you need to write your own. Here are some of the best examples of inspiring vision statements:
Amazon: "Our vision is to be earth's most customer-centric company; to build a place where people can come to find and discover anything they might want to buy online."
- Ben & Jerry's: "Making the best ice cream in the nicest possible way."
Google: "To provide access to the world's information in one click."
Habitat for Humanity: "A world where everyone has a decent place to live."
Hilton Hotels & Resorts: "To fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality by delivering exceptional experiences – every hotel, every guest, every time."
- IKEA: "To create a better everyday life for the many people."
LinkedIn: "Create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce."
Patagonia: "Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis."
Southwest Airlines: "To become the world's most loved, most flown and most profitable airline."