The 7 Components of a (simple) Vision Document

A well-defined vision helps with direction, motivation, and decision-making. The problem is that crafting the perfect vision is overwhelming. The elements that you can include are endless. Plus, the outcome will likely differ significantly from what you can currently anticipate, potentially turning the exercise from productive to a waste of time.

But we still need to know where we want to go, so how do you decide what to include in your vision without wasting countless hours creating it?

I’ve tested numerous vision documents and exercises over the years, and I strongly believe the answer is a simple template with a few clarifying questions to help guide you and your team toward your goals (the very thing I’ve created for myself and my clients).

This is what I’m going to walk you through in today’s newsletter.

Why does your company exist beyond just making a profit? This should touch on the impact you want to have on your customers, community, or even the world.

These are the guiding principles of your company. They shape the culture, decision-making processes, and overall ethos of the company.

Specify who your primary customers are. This helps in tailoring products, marketing strategies, and communications.

Where do you see your company in a decade? Setting a long-term goal keeps everyone aligned toward a unified objective. But, keep it short (bullets are fine).

Breaking down the 10-year target, where should you be in three years? This offers a more immediate, yet future-oriented goal.

Even more immediate, where should you be a year from now? This gives your teams a tangible target to strive for in the near term.

The most immediate of all. What are the key initiatives, projects, or milestones for the next two months?

For maximum effectiveness, this document should be concise (preferably a single page). This ensures it's easy to reference and review. It's also crucial to keep it dynamic. The business world is fluid, and your vision might need tweaks along the way. That's why revisiting this document at least quarterly is essential.

If you’d like a copy of my vision template document, Click Here.

See you all next Thursday 👋

PS. Whenever you're ready... Here are three ways I can help you systemize & automate operations: