OPTIMIZE YOUR MAINTENANCE SUCCESSJOURNEY WITH QUICK WINS

This article is a crossover from Machinery Lubrication's sister publication, Reliable Plant.

- 

"A body remains at rest, or in motion at a constant speed in a straight line, unless acted upon by a force."

-Newton's First Law of Motion

Who Needs a Vision?

A business is much like a physical body. It has a life of its own with a trajectory and speed determined by its current state. The leader's job is to change the trajectory and speed of the organization to meet the demands of the modern world's ever-changing business environment.

Creating a vision of the future marks the beginning of making change happen. It is the tool the leader uses to convey a clear message about where the organization is headed so that a good strategic plan can be developed. It creates pressure for change.

What Makes a Good Vision Statement?

Effective vision statements have ten common traits. They are:

1. Future Focused - The vision should be focused five to ten years in the future. It is a forward look at what the leader wants the organization to be in the future.

2. Directional - The vision should provide direction for the organization. It is all about where the organization needs to be in the future and the path it will take to get there.

3. Clear - The vision needs to be clear and easy to understand at all levels of the organization.

4. Relevant A good vision is connected with the organization's past, its current reality, and where it needs to be in the future.

5. Purpose Driven - A good vision will clearly articulate the purpose of the organization. It lets everyone in the organization understand why the organization exists.

6. Values-Based - A good vision is well connected to the core values of the organization. The values drive how members of the organization will interact with each other, and others outside the organization such as suppliers, customers, regulators, and the general public.