But it’s much harder to sustain those changes.
People assume that once made, a change will sustain itself and maybe even last forever. But patterns of the past re-emerge. People often revert back to old habits, familiar systems and the previous ways of doing business. Old habits really do die hard and there’s comfort in the familiarity of the way things were, including ways of thinking and methods of doing.
It takes time and effort to change what has become habitual. And it is less of a challenge doing what has always worked rather than what’s needed now. There is a sense of safety in thinking and doing what you’ve always done and thinking what you’ve always thought. But when circumstances change, a business that doesn’t adjust or adapt is on the road to obsolescence or extinction.
“I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them, make them.”
George Bernard Shaw
Besides knowing that change is a fact of life and business, what else makes up the right mindset?
Having an effective mindset involves having clarity and confidence in yourself and your thinking. You need to be clear about what’s important to you, why it’s important, what you’re intending to do, how you are going to do it and what doing “it” will mean to you and to others who are affected by your actions. Having clarity and confidence makes it easier to attain the congruency and consistency which are vital to earning the trust of both ourselves and others. You have to find clarity and focus. This is where your Mission, Vision, and Values statements comes into play. It serves as the backbone for growth, providing a standard of strength and integrity. Furthermore, it is a motivator unto itself, reminding you of the purposes behind your every action.
Setting and adopting a turnaround mindset begins with the following four steps:
1 Revisiting your Mission, Vision and Values.
2 Forgetting about the past, focusing on the present, and creating your future.
3 Redefining yourself and realigning your company.
4 Making your mark and focusing on increasing value for your customers, prospects, stakeholders, and yourself.
Your “mission” for tonight (and you’ve already chosen to accept it) is to think through these four points on the next few pages. Invest the time and attention in the questions you and your business deserve and you’ll be prepared for your 10 day journey.
Think deeply and passionately about what you want, why you want it, and how you can get it. Consider how you can create more value for others so they have a reason to work with you, do business with you, and choose your company above all others. Consider what your business means, what it stands for, and what you stand for.
Revisiting your Mission, Vision and Values
The following is one of the most important keys to the turnaround’s success. Give yourself all the time, space and creativity you need. Take it seriously—take your business seriously—and remind yourself of the meaning of success. Remember that this is real business and that the turnaround will require real work. Whether your business is based on relationships or merely transactions, this is the work that will determine your level of success. Before you begin the journey of transforming your business, the first thing you have to do is simply read through your existing Mission, Vision and Values statements.
That is, if you have them.
Don’t have them written down? Don’t worry; you’d be surprised at how many businesses don’t have a written mission statement. A mission statement is a clearly articulated vision or a defining set of values for a business. If you fall into the category of businesses that don’t have a mission statement, it’s okay. By the end of this first evening you will have it written down and have a clearer understanding of why your business exists, where you want it to go and how you want it to operate - and why.
If you already have your Mission, Vision, and Values clearly stated — congratulations! But it’s still the time to revisit your purpose for being in business, where you want to go and the guiding principles under which you lead and manage your business.
Either way, you will begin the process of transforming your business, regaining control of your future, and embracing the journey towards a more profitable, productive and rewarding future.
Equally important, you’ll be clear on what you’re aiming to do, why you want to do it and what it will look like along the way.
This exercise will make your leadership more effective, your decisions more congruent and give your actions more impact. What could be more important right now?
So, let’s consider what exactly your Mission, Vision and Value statements should contain.
If you already have them for your business, now is the time to get them out and to review them. How well thought out are they? Are they easy to understand? Do they give you a very clear focus of what your company is all about? Are they clear and concise or confusing and full of buzzwords or abstract terms? Are they still relevant to your business today or has your business changed so much since they were written that they are no longer valid?
Your Mission Statement should describe the purpose of the business and its reason for existence. It should focus on the primary intention, the beneficiaries and the value created for all.
Your Vision Statement should describe the business you are building and in what time frame you envision it being completed (in a few well-constructed sentences). A great vision is both compelling and propelling, meaning that it both pulls and pushes people toward something greater than themselves.
Your Values Statement should be a list of what your business stands for. It should clearly express the principles that are non-negotiable as far as you are concerned, so that anyone thinking of joining or doing business with you will know exactly what is expected of them and how they will be treated by you or your business. It should also contain the core values and principles upon which your business operates, what’s most important, and the reasons “why”. Your business values should be congruent with your personal values and your professional principles. Who you are becomes evident and is reflected in the business plan you create. Personal beliefs and morals will provide energy and sustenance for your business when all else fails. In this way, your personal, organizational and business values must be aligned within your values statement for your business. Be honest with yourself as you evaluate your existing Mission, Vision and Values. What you do must be congruent with what you believe. When you think about or read your Mission, Vision, and Values statement does it represent what your business is, who you are and what you aspire for your business to be and become? Do you feel a deep sense of connection, passion and motivation when you think about them?
Here are a couple of examples for you to read and consider in crafting your own. Keep in mind, the goal is not to imitate or even emulate anyone else’s Mission, Vision or Values. The sample statements below are just a guide for form, structure and to serve as food-for-thought.
Vision statement
“McDonald’s vision is to be the world’s best quick
