Writing a vision statement for your business or career

Posted on 1 July, 2018 by Lyndsey Segal in Business Coaching

In order to start a business or move your existing business or career forward, you need a goal.

As the saying goes, ‘If you don’t know where you’re going, how do you know when you’ve got there?’.

Identifying goals help create clarity and focus. As a Personal and Professional Coach, this is always the starting point when working with my clients.

A vision statement communicates what a business or role is aiming for in the future. It communicates the purpose and values that defines and directs a business or organisation. The statement helps founders, employees and clients/customers understand the meaning and purpose of the business. Therefore, it is hugely beneficial for all businesses to have a vision statement.

It is important to understand the differences between a vision statement and a mission statement. A mission statement concentrates on the present. A vision statement focuses on the future.

These following tips will help you to write your vision statement:

Identify your core values Identify the values that exist at the centre of your business or organisation. Ask yourself why it exists. Align this with your business values and goals.

 What problems can you solve and value can you add? How can you be of benefit and add value to your client/customers and potential clients/customers? To be successful, your business must add value to peoples’ lives. That value can take many forms, but it must be tangible. The more value you can add, the more valuable your product or service will be.

Keep it clear and concise You should be able to memorise your vision statement, so it should be approximately one to two sentences. It is helpful to use clear, concise and jargon-free language.

Re-evaluate Over time, your vision statement may become outdated. You’ll need to re-evaluate your vision and repeat the process to create a current and relevant statement.

Everyone in the workplace can benefit from writing a vision statement.

A vision statement reveals what an organization most hopes to be and achieve in the long term. Brainstorming sessions are a useful way to focus a team to articulate the company’s vision.

Writing a vision statement helps self-employed people gain clarity and focus of their business aspirations and to communicate this effectively with their clients and customers.

If you have already written a vision statement, does it truly reflect what your business/role is about? Is it still relevant or does it need updating? If you have not written a vision statement for your business or role, embrace this opportunity to articulate its goals, values, purpose and offering. Gaining clarity yourself and in turn for others, will help you on your way to turning your vision for your business or career into a reality.

‘THE YOU BEHIND YOUR BRAND’ is the focus for my next networking and Coaching coffee morning on Thursday, 26thJuly, 10am-12pm in Brighton and Hove. At this unique and inspiring event, you will be able to share the story behind your brand and learn how to weave it into your marketing and communication. You will be able to spread the word about your business, meet potential clients/customers and further your personal and professional development. For more info and to book your place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/networking-coaching-the-you-behind-your-brand-tickets-46480578662