what is a vision statement and how to make it

What is a vision statement?

here my layman takes on it.

• anything that lets everyone working together know what they are working towards
• a statement of intent
• purpose
• stated direction
• motivation manifest in words
  
• what is possible?
• what is it that we are doing this for
• what if everything went according plan, what could be achieved
• goals will come and go, the vision remains
• vision drives the goals
• helps you decide what is important, what is valuable, what should be your first move or what you just shouldnt do
• it should inspire
• unleash creativity, passion, drive ,excellence, innovation 

The vision should come from the top.

the board, the owners, the senior most managers need to create the vision and percolate it.  In some instances, customers have been invited to assist in creating vision statement.

the vision statement should be less than 4 lines.  easy to memorise and call for action.

the vision statement should be something that everyone who works with you can quote on a daily basis and make their decisions based on the vision statement.