Why do Companies have a Vision and Values Statement?
A company vision is all about what is possible, what the potential is for that company to achieve and it’s ultimate end state.
The vision allows the company to clearly define it’s long term goals for achieving that vision and of course through using subset mission statements create short term targets and goals to achieve these.
A clear set of value statements support the vision by using strong words and ideals that transcend through the business.
Vision and Value statements help to create an identity for the company and helps define the company culture.
It is important that these statements are not just words stuck up on posters with no explanation. Every employee needs to be aware of the words but more importantly the meaning, the energy and the source from which these statements came. Only then is it possible for all to work together in one direction for a common goal.
In short both business owners and their employees need to know what the company does on a daily basis, what it is trying to achieve and therefore be able to answer uniformly the ultimate question – “why do you do what you do?”
A good vision allows the business owners to keep the end goal in mind at all times, it will engage with and inspire the employees whilst also sending out a clear message to it’s customers.
Employees are a companies biggest asset they need to know they are relevant. Empowering employees to help a business define it’s vision by getting them involved from the start is a really powerful motivational tool.
An employee who has connected with the business at a deeper level, who has felt a part of defining the companies strategy will ultimately feel that their hard work is relevant to the bigger picture and will be more motivated to perform, helping to form a more loyal work force.
A good vision is a precise definition of what the company does and what it wants to accomplish. It should describe the business you are in and provide a definition of why the business exists. For this to be clear and precise it should really only be one or two sentances long.
Once you have a clear vision a good set of value statements are a great way to frame the vison and allow you to draw on the beliefs and environment of the organisation. They allow you to be positive and inspiring always linking back to the vision itself.
In summary a companies vision is what drives the owners and employees on a day to day basis. It is the reason the company exists, it is the end state to which the company is ultimately striving to become. It is the inspiration the business owners, the company management and it’s employees need to be successfull.
Next week ClarkeWood owner Lee Clarke is holding several workshops with his team to discuss and define ClarkeWood’s Vision and Value’s statement. Lee has firsthand experience and knows the benefit of an empowered workforce; he wants his team to be completely ingrained in to what ClarkeWood is and what it will surely become.
Check out next week’s blog for the ClarkeWood Vision.
