What is a Vision Statement and How to Write One (+Examples and Template)
A vision statement is an integral part of the foundation of any business. A well-crafted vision statement should be inspiring, meaningful, and easy to remember while clarifying the organization’s ambitions and values.
In this article, we will examine what exactly a vision statement is, explore how to write one effectively, and provide access to examples and templates to help you get started. Let’s dive in!
What is a Vision Statement?
A company vision statement is a declaration of an organization’s mission, purpose, and brand values. It identifies the desired end-state of the business and serves as a road map for how to achieve that goal.
A vision statement should be forward-looking and inspiring, without being overly specific or narrow in scope. You’ll use more detail when you write a business plan, which should be more specific but ultimately be informed by your company’s vision statement.
It should set the tone for what can be accomplished in the future, while also providing direction and clarity to stakeholders.
Lastly, it should be brief and memorable so that it can be easily communicated and understood.
Why Vision Statements are so Important for Businesses
Vision statements are essential for businesses to stay focused on the end goal. They provide a clear direction of where the organization is heading, offering guidance and motivation to employees and stakeholders alike.
A strong vision statement can help set expectations, energize a team, inform your marketing plan, and keep everyone aligned with the long-term objectives.
It is also an invaluable resource for decision-making, as it helps to ensure that any new initiatives support the company’s ultimate mission and action plan.
Therefore, having a well-crafted vision statement is a must for any successful business.
22 Vision Statement Examples
How are some of the world’s most successful organizations defining their own visions? What do you think of their inspiring vision statements?
Check out the following 22 examples of good vision statements from famous companies that you can use as inspiration to create your own vision statement:
1. Ikea
Ikea’s vision statement reads, “Our vision is to create a better everyday life for many people.”
2. Linkedin
In its vision statement, LinkedIn defines what sets the company apart from other social media platforms when it says, “Create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce.”
3. Patagonia
Patagonia’s vision statement states: “Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.”
4. Ford
The Ford Motor Company’s vision statement says, “People working together as a lean, global enterprise to make people’s lives better through automotive and mobility leadership.”
5. Southwest Airlines
Southwest’s vision statement states, “To be the world’s most loved, most efficient, and most profitable airline.”
6. Tesla
Tesla’s vision statement reads, “Create the most compelling car company of the 21st century by driving the world’s transition to electric vehicles.”
7. San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo’s vision statement says, “To become a world leader at connecting people to wildlife and conservation.”
8. The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy’s vision statement looks to the company’s future and encompasses its values: “To leave a sustainable world for future generations.”
9. AT&T
AT&T’s vision statement reads, “To build a new global communications network that allows human resources to reallocate to more complex and productive activities – within a decade.”
10. Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson uses the following vision statement to inspire healthier communities: “For every person to use their unique experiences and backgrounds, together – to spark solutions that create a better, healthier world.”
11. BBC
The BBC‘s vision statement is short and sweet: “To be the most creative organization in the world.”
12. Ben & Jerry’s
Ben & Jerry’s defines its core values in the following mission statement: “Making the best ice cream in the nicest possible way.”
Short Business Vision Statement Examples
Creating a strong and concise vision statement can be difficult, even though the companies on our list make it look easy.
Here are some short business vision statement examples that you can use to model your own unique vision statement.
13. Feeding America
Feeding America’s short business vision statement describes the organization’s efforts: “A hunger-free America.”
14. TED
The TED organization presents the world’s information and uses a short vision statement: “Spread ideas.”
15. Zoom
Zoom’s short vision statement reads, “Video communications empowering people to accomplish more.”
16. Oxfam
Oxfam’s vision statement is simple and describes the company’s commitment: “A just world without poverty.”
17. Whole Foods
Whole Foods’ inspiring vision statement says, “To nourish people and the planet.”
18. Disney
In its vision statement, the world’s premier entertainment company says its vision is, “To be one of the world’s leading producers and providers of entertainment and information.”
19. Amazon
Amazon’s vision statement shows the company isn’t afraid to dream big; it reads, “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.”
20. IBM
IBM uses a vision statement detailing its overarching vision, saying, “To be the world’s most successful and important information technology company. Successful in helping our customers apply technology to solve their problems. Successful in introducing this extraordinary technology to new customers. Important because we will continue to be the basic resource of much of what is invested in this industry.”
21. McDonald’s
McDonald’s vision statement describes its values: “To move with velocity to drive profitable growth and become an even better McDonald’s serving more customers delicious food each day around the world.”
22. Warby Parker
The Warby Parker vision statement confirms the company’s direction is to offer designer eyewear; it reads, “We believe that buying glasses should be easy and fun. It should leave you happy and good-looking, with money in your pocket. We also believe that everyone has the right to see.”
Mission Statement Vs Vision Statement
The company mission statement and the vision statement are two distinct concepts, but both mission and vision statements have one major thing in common – they are each used to define the future goals and values of a business.
A company’s mission statement describes what an organization does in the present day, while a vision statement outlines an ambitious goal for what it wishes to achieve in the next five to ten years.
Both vision and mission statements should be concise, inspiring, and achievable, enabling everyone in the organization to share a unified purpose and move forward together toward success.
Characteristics of Amazing Vision Statements
A vision statement is a guiding document that helps to articulate the future aspirations of an organization.
For example, the Starbucks vision statement is “To establish Starbucks as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world while maintaining our uncompromising principles while we grow.” A great vision statement should have four key characteristics:
Clarity
Clarity is essential when crafting a compelling vision statement. It should communicate what the organization wants to accomplish in an easy-to-understand manner, avoiding any complex language or jargon.
Clarity allows everyone involved in the organization to clearly comprehend the what, why, and how of the statement and serves as a rallying cry for all stakeholders. A clear, concise, and compelling vision statement can help shape the direction of an organization for the better.
Focus
Having a focused vision statement is essential for any organization’s future aspirations. It should define the specific goals and objectives of the organization, and how they plan to achieve them.
It should also help make sure that everyone involved in the organization is on the same page and working towards a shared goal.
A focused vision statement should be detailed enough for people to understand what their role is in contributing to the success of the organization, but broad enough to leave room for growth and development.
Inspiration
Inspiration is a key component of an amazing vision statement. It allows the reader to get an idea of what the company stands for and why they are striving to reach its goals.
A great vision statement should inspire and motivate people to take action, while also providing a clear sense of direction. Inspiration can come from the company values, or from stories of real-world successes.
When done correctly, inspiring statements can help build trust and strengthen relationships between consumers and businesses.
Feasibility
Feasibility is an important characteristic of an amazing vision statement. The statement should be realistic and achievable, while still pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
The vision must have a balance between ambition and practicality to ensure that it will be taken seriously by stakeholders. It must also align with the company’s current capabilities and resources in order to be believable.
In addition, it should address any potential obstacles that may occur on the way to achieving the goals set by the vision.
How to Write a Vision Statement
Writing a vision statement can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step and equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to write an effective, inspiring vision statement.
Step 1: Identify Your Goals
The first step in writing a vision statement is to identify your long-term goals for the company. You may refer to your business plan, mission, and personal brand statement for ideas. The following questions can also help you identify relevant points. What do you want to achieve? What does success look like three, five, or ten years from now? These questions will help you define the core purpose of your business.
It’s also important to consider any short-term objectives or milestones that have been set. You may find that some objectives are more achievable than others and must be adjusted accordingly. By taking this into account, you can create a realistic yet ambitious vision statement that will keep everyone motivated throughout the journey.
Step 2: Gather Input From Others
Once you’ve identified your goals, it’s time to get input from other stakeholders in the company such as employees, customers, and shareholders. Ask them what they think should be included in the vision statement and how they would like to see their individual contributions reflected in it.
Gathering input from others helps provide perspective on different aspects of your business and ensures that everyone is working towards the same end goal.
Step 3: Write It Down
Now comes the fun part – writing down your vision statement! Start by summarizing what you’ve learned so far such as what are your core values as a business, who are your customers, what you offer them, and where you want to go in the future.
Be sure to use concise language that speaks directly to these topics, as well as evokes emotion by showcasing why this journey matters for both yourself and those involved with you along the way.
Step 4: Finalize & Publish Your Vision Statement
When crafting and editing your vision statement, make sure it’s something you can easily explain and believe in wholeheartedly. This is key for providing direction when making decisions down the line.
Once finalized, don’t forget to share it with all stakeholders so that everyone knows what lies ahead and how they can contribute towards achieving those goals. By keeping the vision statement visible and alive, it will serve as a reminder of the company’s purpose and inspire everyone to keep pushing forward.
Vision Statement Template
A vision statement template provides a framework for creating an inspiring and effective vision statement. It asks questions about your company’s goals, values, and intended audience to help you create a statement that is meaningful and motivating.
Once you have answered the questions in the template, you can fill in the necessary sections in the template below to form the statement itself.
Our vision is to (describe goal/long-term objective), while providing (describe services provided), as well as striving towards (describe values). We will inspire our (audience) by upholding our commitment to (list specific objectives or values), ultimately leading to our success in achieving (key results or desired outcomes).
Tips on How to Write a Good Vision Statement
How can you describe your entire business’s vision in just a few words? It is possible to create the perfect vision statement for your small business with creativity, focus, and effort. The following few tips for writing a vision statement should help:
- Don’t be afraid to dream big and focus on the future of your organization. What can the company be in the years to come? What do you want to be known for?
- Choose clear and specific language. Dreaming big doesn’t have to mean being vague, and the perfect vision statement should be specific enough to influence future decisions. Remember, you aren’t talking about the past, so be sure and write the vision statement in the present tense.
- Keep it short. The best vision statements are not longer than a sentence or two, and many of the most memorable consist of just a few words.
- Make it memorable and bring inspiration. What sets your organization apart from the competition? Be sure and highlight what makes your small business unique, and choose a language that inspires those within the organization to achieve its goals.
Final Words
A well-crafted vision statement is a key component of any successful business. It outlines an inspiring goal that everyone in the organization can strive toward, provides guidance for decision-making, and helps to ensure that initiatives are focused on achieving the ultimate mission.
With some planning and creativity, anyone can craft a great vision statement using examples or templates as a starting point. When done right, it can ignite passion and motivation in employees and stakeholders alike – setting your business up for success.
However, if done incorrectly and without the proper care and consideration, it can do the opposite. So, take your time and create something that you and everyone else in your organization can believe in.
Image: Envato Elements
This article, "What is a Vision Statement and How to Write One (+Examples and Template)" was first published on Small Business Trends