Edward:

I enjoyed this post (as usual). I think of a mission statement as something that represents what you plan on doing, how you conduct yourself, and a guideline or blueprint so you don’t get lost along the way. I also consider it short-term. If you are branding yourself, I think it’s good to write a mission statement, even if no one other than yourself will ever read it!

With the vision statement, I agree that it is something you project to accomplish in the future; more long-term. When we start a business (whether corporate or as a sole proprietor), we all have dreams and visions for what we hope to accomplish so I see the mission statement as the rules or guidelines you have committed to follow as you step-by-step walk down the path to achieve your vision for your business. Both need to be evaluated and revised from time-to-time. Just my perspective on the subject!

Thanks, Edward, for sharing your thoughts!

Deborah

Hey Edward, this post is very timely for me right now because my group is working on our mission statement as we speak.

Thanks for the clarification and difference between a mission statement and a vision statement. I will use this information when creating my mission statement.

I like this post Edward! What a great discussion a Vision vs Mission. Would you recommend people write them down? I also think you should have 2, one for your business and one for your personal achievements. Thank you Edward!

Hey Edward … GREAT topic

Here are my two cents …

Vision statements and mission statements are very similar in nature but there is a fine point of difference between the two.

A mission statement is more concerned with the overall aim of a business, a simple statement of the company’s reason for being. Often the statement will include promises to deliver a superior product or service to customers on a consistent basis … a really good example of that is Starbuck’s Mission Statement.

A vision statement, on the other hand, is not about what a company currently is, but what the company hopes to become.

As an example, a vision statement may acknowledge that the company already meets industry standards in customer support, while at the same time setting goals for moving customer care to a higher level within a given time period.

Vision statements are also intended to be no more than a couple of sentences that clearly outline a specific goal of the company, while not providing the details of how that goal will be reached. Vision statements provide direction for the company, while not inhibiting the development of the strategy that will allow the company to reach that lofty goal.

I have both personal and business mission and vision statements that were crafted AFTER I became really clear on what my CORE VALUES are. (I did a blog post at thatMLMbeat.com about Mission Statements and Core Values earlier on this year … http://thatmlmbeat.com/what-is-a-mission-statement-and-why-does-every-mlm-blog-need-one/).

My Core Values are what drive my life and my business, and they are pretty much the same in both arenas. My consulting business is completely aligned with my Core Values. I chose a Network Marketing Company based on how well aligned THEIR Core Values were to mine. I truly believe that you can not be one way in business and then another way personally. That is non congruent and usually doesn’t work out well in practice because it smacks of inauthenticity and people can feel that a mile off.

You are correct in saying that businesses come and go, BUT if I am not willing to align myself with a business and put my name behind it … why would I want to create or associate with it in the first place …???

Very thought provoking post … you have some great stuff going on over here ! Keep up the good work…

Best …. Rose