Developing Your Vision and Goals
Something to Think About
Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.
Japanese Proverb
Outline of This Module
• What’s This Thing Called “Vision”? • Features of a Strong Regional Vision
Statement Building a shared vision: A step-by-step
process • What’s a Goal? SMART Goals Building an Organizational Goal
What’s This Thing Called “Vision”?
Vision is the art of seeing the invisible Jonathan Swift
• Describes the future situation you want to achieve
• Responds to key questions: What do you want your region to be? What are your dreams for the region?
•
Features of a Strong Vision Statement
Vision Statement
of a Regional
Team
Focuses on the future
Gives shape and direction to the future
Highlights its purpose and values
Inspires people, groups,
communities
Relevant for many
years
Source: Killam, D. (2003)
Building a Shared Vision: A Step-by-Step Approach
Finalize Your Vision Statement
Draft a Vision Statement from the Key Theme Share draft with others and seek input
Determine Common Themes then Prioritize Determine which themes to keep Remove ideas less relevant
Seek Input on Hopes/Aspirations for the Region Your Team Key Leaders and Groups Diversity of Residents
Determine the Focus of Your Vision Statement Your Regional Team? Economic Development? Quality of Life?
Source: Mind Tools, LTD (2011)
The Western Potomac Economic Partnership will be a magnet for economic growth by attracting new, diverse
businesses and investments from around the world. The region’s economy will enjoy a global status that ensures
superior job opportunities for residents.
Examples of Vision Statements
The following are actual statements developed by past SET regions:
West Virginia:
Examples of Vision Statements
New Mexico: Develop a regionally integrated economy while honoring and protecting natural resources, rural lifestyles, "small town" values, traditions, and culture
Colorado: The Raton Basin Region is a model of economic prosperity and a healthy rural lifestyle throughout a multi state and diverse cultural area. The Region thrives by cooperatively and collaboratively embracing cultural, economic, educational, technological, and social endeavors.
Group Activity: Developing a Vision Statement
Steps in Building a Vision Statement 1. Individuals – Reflections:
What does this region look like in 20-30 years? How and where do people live? What do they do for work? What are your hopes/aspirations for the region?
2. Share Your Ideas: Discuss ideas; determine common themes; agree on key
ideas/themes most important for your region or for your group’s work
3. Key Themes: Identify common themes and opportunities; select most important themes and opportunities
4. Develop an initial draft of a vision statement or assign to a Vision Statement Committee:
Use information from Slide 5 as a guide in developing this statement
Source: Adapted from The Power of Appreciative Inquiry 2nd Edition. Diana Whitney and Amanda Trosten-Bloom (2010)
Thinking of our destination: Being SMART!
Generating ideas of possible Regional
goals
Let’s Brainstorm Some Ideas
Rules for Brainstorming: • No ideas are “bad.” • Don’t get bogged down in
detail. • Consensus is not
necessary at this point.
Goals: The Result of Careful Study
Regional Goals
Population Features
Regional Assets
Economic Strengths
Barriers Past
History
Workforce Skills
A Goal is. . .
An observable and measurable outcome that
you want to achieve within a specific period of time.
SMART Goals • What do you want to achieve? • Why is this goal important? • Where will you focus your efforts? Specific
• How do you plan to measure progress toward the goal? • What is the end result, as well as the milestones, you want to
achieve along the way? Be concrete. Measurable
• Do you have the resources to achieve the goal? (People, organizations, money, physical resources, skills, attitude, etc.)
• Are there factors that might prevent you from achieving these goals?
Attainable
• Is this an important enough goal for your region to pursue? • Is it something that matters (or should matter) to your region? • Is it something that will bring benefit to your region?
Relevant
• When do you want to achieve your goal? • What is the target date for accomplishing your team’s goal? Time Framed
Adapted from: Heathfield, S.M. (2011)
SMART Goal Example: An Example
Increase the survival rate of new business start-ups (less than 5-years-old) from 50% to 75% in the Big Coast Region by Dec. 2014
17
Relevant
Attainable Measurable Specific
Time-Framed
Developing a SMART Goal
Prepare a goal that’s crystal clear, concise:
SMART!
Vague Goals = Vague Results
What’s your goal as a regional organization?
Examples of Organizational Goals by SET Regions
West Central Ohio Network: • Develop a marketing plan for the West Central Ohio
Network by March 2013 to enable the WCON-area to be recognized as a regional leader in economic development.
North Central New Mexico Development Partnership • By December 31, 2011, develop a non-profit corporate
structure for the organization and complete tax-exempt application with the IRS as an economic development corporation.
Organizational Goal Worksheet YOUR GOAL: (write your goal in this box and then analyze it using the SMART criteria below)
Write Your Comments Below
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Time Framed
REVISION OF YOUR GOAL?
Final Reflections
• What did you find most helpful and valuable in this module?
• Are there any items that need to be clarified?
Homework Ideas
• Finalize the Vision Statement • Ask 2-3 locals for reactions to
the vision statement (if it’s completed)
• See if your goal as an organization needs to be fine-tuned by a sub-committee
• Other items?
What’s Ahead
Module Five: • We’ll examine a variety of regional
economic-related data, such as:
Education Workforce Industry Occupational projections