Unlocking Business Success: Mission, Vision, and Values Explained

This week, I discussed the importance of mission statements, vision statements, and the values that your business reflects.

Featured in Building Your Business Plan, released tomorrow, I wanted to give a little “free peek” at why this matters.

Note: Due to health struggles, the guide will not be released as expected. Release has been moved further into this month.

What is a Vision Statement?

This week I started by discussing mission statements, but I want to flip that around in this post.

Why?

Well, your vision statement is the destination. You want to know where you’re going before you head up Mission Street.

Vision is the end result. Mission is how you get there.

I relate vision statements closely with SMART Goals, discussed here.

The point of setting goals is to achieve a larger end goal, remaining motivated through each milestone you create.

As shown above, the vision for Stitched Business Solutions states, “To give every entrepreneur the tools to be successful.”

My dream is to answer business questions before an entrepreneur asks! After all, many of us didn’t know what to ask before it was too late.

This vision hits every point:

The future of Stitched Business Solutions, creating mentoring tools for all.
The inspiration to see entrepreneurs be successful.
The strategic intention is to arm entrepreneurs with tools for success.
Where I position my business, as the provider of business information.

Take Action. Break down the vision statement shared by your favorite businesses. You’ll see a trend in their intention behind each vision.

What is a Mission Statement?

If your vision describes your business’s destination, then your mission statement serves as the road. It will guide you to your vision.

I think of The Wizard of Oz when I discuss this point. Your mission is to walk the yellow brick road. The man behind the curtain represents your vision.

I hold the handles of my Chuck Norris (you know, Walker, Texas Ranger), and push him along. We journey up my personal golden brick road. I hope to meet the wizard, the man behind the curtain, who represents my vision.

That journey, that road, is the mission that I use every day. It motivates my movement upward to the final vision. As shown, I do so “to help as many small and medium enterprises learn what it takes to go from startup to scaling.”

I believe in the success of others. I believe in helping people get there. My mission motivates each step.

If vision represents a SMART Goal, then mission represents every milestone you reach. It is that little bit of joy that helps you realize, “I am getting there!”

My mission breaks down the vision further by stating:

The purpose I live is to help others achieve success.
My audience belongs to every SME business owner who struggles.
The values shine bright as I emphasize helping businesses learn and grow.
The overall strategic direction is to create tools for others to utilize.

Take Action. Look up some of your favorite businesses. How does their mission statement break down into the 4 components mentioned?

What are Business Values?

Ahh, yes. As an advocate for kindness, mental wellness, and ethical business practices… it should come as no surprise that values are my favorite topic in business.

Our values do not have to align for me to emphasize their importance.

Values drive the passion held within the company!

Your moral compass should not be ignored. Even if controversial, they matter because they are a core component of you.

Believing in the values of your company requires you to reflect those same values. Expressing values you think others want instead of what you want can actually set you up for failure. The passion will dwindle, no longer propelling you upward.

I am filled with many morals that matter to me. Not everyone agrees with them, but they are still mine.

My ethics tell me it is important to help others.
I believe the main motivator for business is passion. It is not always followed by business comprehension.
I believe in ethical business practice, utilizing honesty and transparency.
I’m accountable for all I do. If I fail somewhere, I rectify my mistake. Without being a doormat, those I mentor come first.

Take Action. Consider your morals and values. Are they reflected in your business practices? How do some of your favorite businesses reflect their values?

Key Search Terms

If you found this post through one of these search terms, I hope it helped answer the questions you were searching for. Thank you for letting Stitched Business Solutions be part of your journey toward building a business with intention and heart.