7 Cs of Effective Vision Statements...

The well written vision statements include following seven characteristics.

1. Conciseness:  The effective vision statements are brief enough, making it easier for entrepreneurs and leaders to communicate to the stakeholders.  Vision statements become less effective when they are too short or too long.  Therefore, the natural questions pops up is: how long or how short a vision statement should be?  The effective vision statements generally include about 35 to 40 words or 3 to 4 sentences.  It should be long enough to visibly describe the vision. Make sure it is not too long to be remembered and understood by all stake holders.    

2. Clearness:  The well written vision statements are unambiguous.  The clarity aspect of vision statements provides a constant and superior goal. Remember to not use any jargons and buzz words and to use simple terminology.  Vision statements can be more clarified by keeping enough short. 
   
3. Challenging and Abstract:  The challenge and abstractness are inevitable parts of good vision statements.  The challenge part instill inspires and motivates employees. It also provides a kind of guideline to employees to their routine practices and decisions. The abstractness part offers flexibility.  The future goals should not be described too specific but instead at a greater level of abstractness.        

4. Cover the Drive: The drive means, what is the purpose of an organization? Why it exists? The sound vision statements should describe what an organization anticipates to accomplish. Effective vision statements answers: a) what difference it intends to create in the market? and b) How impacts it aims to have? 

5. Concentrate on Future:  The good vision statements focus on what you want your company to be for life-long.  They will also describe the on-going actions taken by organization to achieve its end state of existence.   

6. Create Desirable Goal:  The well-defined vision statements include mutually desired goals by followers.  The emphasis could be given on combination of: a) Core values, b) Collective identity, c) Distinctiveness, and d) Emphasis on human assets   

7. Comparable to the Success Measures:  The sense of accomplishment and association would also be the elements of excellently crafted vision statements.

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