L. Gordon Cravitz, publisher of the Wall Street Journal, wrote in a New Year’s column (Wall Street Journal, Jan. 2, 2007) that this icon of business, markets and journalism had faced a dilemma. “Do we preserve the icon as it has been, rejecting changes as too risky? Or do we try to add to the qualities that created the icon in the first place, taking care not to change simply for the sake of change?” They would adopt the latter approach defining and involving its readership in the evolving changes.
“It takes time and work for your mission and vision statements to become living expressions of the company’s behavior,” says Don Midgett, author of Mission and Vision Statements: Your Path to a Successful Business Future, (www.missionvisionstatement.com). “You must be willing to test your mission and vision statements for their timeliness and consistency of values. When working with colleagues, explain how you arrived at your vision, so they may understand the logic behind your statements and their role and place in the future. You may also include customers, suppliers etc.”
Businesses that review and update their statements from time to time remain energized and in the forefront of their marketplace. They avoid being outmoded, outdated and lacking vision in changes to their business environment. Your mission and vision statements focus your business in terms of direction, leadership, goal-setting and much more. “Your statements should serve as the basis for your strategic plans and actions” concluded Midgett.
To learn more about effective Mission and Vision Statements and for a complete step-by-step guide to develop your mission statement and vision statement, go to www.missionvisionstatement.com and order Mission and Vision Statements: Your Path To A Successful Business Future. This e-book covers:
1. what you should know before creating your mission and vision
2. exercises to develop your mission statement and vision statement
3. how to test drive and live your mission and vision statements
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I am writing a speech about why students should vote for me for School Captain, however I am a little unsure of how to begin the speech (the introduction). I want to try and use an interesting story related to leadership that I can come back to at the conclusion. Do you know any stories of leadership that I could apply to school leadership? Do you have any other ideas on how to start my speech? Your help is greatly appreciated.
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