Article:
In reviewing my recent web publication Mission and Vision
Statements: Discover Your Path to a Successful Business
Future, Dr. Curtis Brooks, Professor of Business Ethics at
Old Dominion University told me that "this mission and vision
process, with service as a foundation, would lead business
owners to transformative business practices and visionary
business performances."
"Precluding narrow self-interest in business and the intentional
use of others as mere instruments to business ends, the mission
and vision process defined in this e-book assures employees,
consumers and the community that they are treated as agents with
their own interests, rights and obligations within a moral
community. The purpose driven and visionary business approach in
this ebook is both innovative and significant."
Mission and Vision Statements: Discover Your Path to a
Successful Business Future provides a practical guide to
self discovery and personal transformation through business,
which in its broader implications stakes a major claim for
business in new moral territory. Mission and vision statements
should be directed not only to the business community, but to
any human enterprise, public or private, in search of a clearer
understanding of the reasons for its existence. Thus Socrates -
'the unexamined life is not worth living'" says Dr. Brooks.
"Business does not operate in a vacuum, but ultimately serves
(or harms) the surrounding community. Enterprises have an
indirect obligation to society as well as an obligation to
maximize profits. Therefore the self-interest of business must
include a widening circle of concerns to include both the near
term and the far future of the self's family, clan, community,
city, state, country and ultimately, world. Narrow self-interest
in business leads ultimately, in the long term, to failure,
while broad vision and broad interests open up the pathways to
success - a success not to be measured in terms of wealth or
prosperity only, but in terms of self-actualization through
service to others. The practice and policy of service cuts two
ways: those who serve are truly blessed if and only if those
whom they serve are truly blessed."
Many clients, in all industries and in all types of
organizations and sizes, have used the mission and vision
exercises in the ebook and were so excited with the results
produced that they have used the same exercises and techniques
to produce personal and family statements. I have seen a common
thread in all these people and organizations: there is something
exciting about focusing one's activities on a known purpose and
a desired future. Your mission and vision statements will allow
you to stay focused on your purpose and future, plan your
activities to accomplish them and positively communicate them to
others. This process will bring about positive change and
transformation -- for anyone.
Don Midgett, Author Mission and Vision Statements: Discover
Your Path to a Successful Business Future
About Mission and Vision Statements: Mission and Vision
Statements: Discover Your Path to a Successful Business
Future, a workshop and seminar in one e-book, available for
$49.97 in pdf format at http://www.missionvisionstatement.com
About the author:
For twenty years Don Midgett has provided guidance and business
training to organizations and leaders representing all types of
enterprises. For more information visit
http://www.missionvisionstatement.com