Creating a Vision Statement

“A vision is a vivid mental image of what you want your business to be at some point in the future, based on your goals and aspirations”. – Source Queensland Government

The easiest explanation for a vision is your long term goals. Where do you want to be in the future. If you have a vision your business will have a clear focus and this will stop you heading in the wrong direction. I believe for a business to be successful and have continuous growth then a good vision statement is essential, it is also a huge factor in getting your brand right.

A written (or typed) vision statement is the best way to go. Get it down, don’t just think about it! This makes it real and allows you to read over and remember what your vision is. For additional impact you can take your vision one step further and mix it into your space where you do your work… Turn it into a poster or make it a part of your interior design, this can help you to reaffirm your vision into the conscious of you and your team.

Defining your vision

Defining your vision allows you to bring forth your true life goals. Are you happy with where you are or do you want more?

Sit back and look at your business or your life, think about where it started and where it currently is. Try to envisage your business as the best it could be. Write down what steps would need to occur to make that vision a reality. Here lies the content for your vision statement.

It can include, but not limited to; financial gain, office space, growth, employers, branding, new mediums, restructure of any area… the list is endless. What you want to achieve for your business is a completely personal choice and will depend on what you do and the level of drive you have.

Along with increasing my revenue over a 3 year period I had other specific visions that included; monthly newsletters, paperless office, a new look office, hiring admin support, blogs (you are reading one… success!). My vision statement helped me determine exactly where I wanted to be in 3 years time. It also helped me to define my personal brand and re-create my business and office around that person. I am happy to say that looking back at my vision statement I have achieved more than I deemed possible and am in the process of reaching more of my goals. I am just about ready to write my next vision statement as I know there is more to be done to make my business the very best it can be.

Make it clear, realistic and inspirational

A vision statement needs to be a clear and realistic. So no “I want to be rich” or “I want a big house”, these are too broad. Be specific… I will earn no less than $XXX in 2016.

It also needs to be realistic, so you need to include tasks that you are able to achieve. It is good to aim high but don’t aim where you can not reach.

A vision statement should be inspirational, it is what you want to achieve but write it as if you know it is going to happen. I will employ a receptionist in 2017, I will renovate the office by Easter 2018. This seems silly and pointless to some but it changes the way you work towards things. Think about these two phrases “I want to go and get a coffee”, “I will go and get a coffee”… Only one phrase is a certainty that the person will soon be drinking coffee. A vision statements must include things you will do!

How long does a vision statement last?

This is up to you, if you think it will help to have your really long term goals listed then go for it, if you think this is too daunting then start with the first steps to achieve the bigger goals. While I can envisage where I wan’t to be in 10 years, I have not included these in my statement. I know I have many things that need to be achieved before I reach for the really big stuff. Like I mentioned I did mine for approximately 3 years, I achieved some of these goals quicker than I expected and some I am still working on. I have added goals along the way and taken some that no longer seemed important away. Your vision statement is not set in stone and should be reassessed whenever you feel it needs to be.

Success

I watched ‘Shark Tank’ this week, for those that don’t know it features a panel of investors whom are the ‘sharks’, who listen to entrepreneurs pitch ideas for a business or product they wish to develop. The Sharks are self-made multi-millionaires, they judge the business concepts and products pitched and then decide whether to invest their own money to help market and mentor each contestant. Because I had started this blog I was watching these multi-millionaires thinking how they must have had a strong vision to become what they are today. The sharks included John McGrath (McGrath Estate Agents), Dr Glen Richards (Greencross Vets), Naomi Simson (RedBalloon), Andrew Banks (lots of things including Morgan and Banks recruiting), Steve Baxter (internet pioneer) and Janine Allis (Boost Juice). The intro talks about their successes and how they all started from not much. John McGrath sold his first car to fund his dreams, now I bet he owns many high end cars, and who knows this may have been part of his vision. These are ordinary people who envisaged their life goals and went for them, succeeding to become the business people they are today.

There are many many stories out there of successful businesses. People who start small and grow to create business they are proud to call their own. Whether you are just starting out or have a solid business write a vision statement and work toward a brighter future!

I really do enjoy getting feedback so please let me know your thoughts on this or any of my articles in the comments field or on social media below.

Cheers Daniel