First of all, if either of these is just a statement to you don’t bother writing them. Too often companies write lengthy meaningless vision and mission statements merely because they’ve heard they need one, for marketing, a business plan, or just because they “should”.
Yes, there’s a difference.
Your company’s vision is exactly that.
The overall purpose, of your company. The big picture that drives every aspect of your business. The why in what you do every day.
Every product, service, system, team member, action in your business should be to achieve the vision of your company.
It should be simply stated, making it easy for consumers and your team to understand, remember, and recognize.
A local company with a clear vision states this “Simplify Life”.
Talk about clear, direct, and easy to understand, and identify! Every decision made in the company for a new product or service should “simplify life”.
Your mission is how you will achieve your vision.
Your mission should be clear, direct, and briefly stated.
The above company’s mission? “Taking care, custody, and control of our customer’s belongings.”
This company provides storage for local residents.
Their why is to simplify life. Their how? By taking care, custody, and control of their customer’s belongings.
As you put your vision and mission into writing, remember this.
Know your why. Make it clear to all those who know or may need to know you. Live it every day. Be very specific about your mission, your how. Act on it every day.