This chapter deals in detail with both elements. Here I tackle controversial issues such as top-down versus bottom-up visioning. | CHAPTER 4 Vision and Mission The Two Key Anchors That Add Passion and Purpose to Your Story This chapter defines the heart of your story. To build an effective plan you begin by putting two stakes in the ground. The first of these is the vision statement and the second one is the mission statement see Figure 4-1 . This chapter deals in detail with both elements. Here I tackle controversial issues such as top-down versus bottom-up visioning. Because they are often confused and considered the same thing I clearly separate the definitions and purposes of vision and mission by describing the roles and functions that 85 86 Seven Steps to a Successful Business Plan each has in developing your plan. I go further by explaining how to look at your mission in a new light. This new concept is called mission analysis and gives you a detailed review of what is required by the mission statement. Figure 4-1. The mission and vision serve as the two end points for the path of your plan. Putting stakes in the ground gives you anchor points for your plan and creates stability by defining start points and end points of your planning. One stake defines where you are now and the other defines where you want to be in the future. Neither can be absent from your story since they are the originators of your plan s purpose and passion. By knowing the two end points of your plan you can add pieces and parts of the planning process. From these anchor points you build an integrated model of many critical items which combine to form your story. Vision and Mission 87 The Two Crucial Parts of the Visioning Process Let s put the first stake in place. The vision stake contains two parts see Figure 4-2 1. The vision itself 2. The vision statement These two parts are different but so closely integrated and interdependent that they cannot be separated. Both must be present in your thinking and should be developed at one time in the process. Figure 4-2. The vision and the vision statement together .
