Example of a Great Mission and Vision Statement

Mission: What is Main Street Newnan?
Main Street Newnan is devoted to developing and maintaining a healthy, viable downtown commercial district symbolic of community caring, and the high quality of life available to residents and visitors alike.

Our perspective as an accredited National and Georgia Main Street Program is committed to historic preservation-based community revitalization. We facilitate this in practice by using the Main Street Four Point Approach, which considers these objectives. The promotion of our downtown district through special events and individualized marketing plans. The quality of the aesthetic design that is represented by our district’s built environment. The organization of interests, leadership and commitments that move our program forward, and the use of strategic planning to warrant the economic development of our historic commercial district. As a unique economic development tool, this approach provides our community with the opportunity to effectively stimulate our commercial downtown by leveraging: partnerships, our culture, small businesses, local assets, architectural heritage and community events to support local enterprises and community pride.

Our Vision: What is Main Street Newnan?
Downtown Newnan will continue to grow and develop as a result of continued support from our volunteers, local businesses, partnering organizations and our Sponsors, who all share a belief that a strong downtown is an essential component to the integrity of a community.

Collectively, we will continue to develop the balanced application of the Main Street Four-Point approach to enhance the future of our downtown district. As one of Georgia’s elder Main Street programs, Main Street Newnan has served as a liaison between the City of Newnan and the business community, local and regional economic development groups and the non-profit sector since 1986. Our inception as an accredited Main Street Program occurred 29 years ago by a group of local volunteers, businesses and partnering organizations, who invested countless hoursof personal time and financial resources to safeguard the fate of our downtown. Their commitment to preserve our city’s cultural identity through the redevelopment of our downtown district served as an example that continues to move our program forward into the future. Main Street Newnan understands that the retention of a successful revitalization program involves strategic partnerships. When considering the growth that Downtown Newnan has experienced, we hope to continue to develop and bolster the support that has been provided by our community. Main Street Newnan hopes to continue to see an increase in the amount of new program sponsors, as has been the trend for several years of growth. We also intend to sustain long lasting relationships with sponsors who have supported our program throughout many years, and even decades! We hope to continue to partner with new businesses and organizations, and experience an increase in volunteer participation by individuals. We will continue to guide and encourage existing downtown business owner to expand their portfolio, recruiting new businesses opening to Downtown Newnan. We will continue to use our resources to encourage property owners to invest in long lasting improvements, utilizing financial guidance and assistance from Main Street Newnan.

Click here to view this example on the Newnan Main Street Program’s website

Mission Statement Vision Statement
About: A Mission statement talks about HOW you will get to where you want to be. Defines the purpose and primary objectives. A Vision statement outlines where you want to be. Communicates both the purpose and values of your business
Answer: It answers the question, “What do we do?” It answers the question, “Why are we here?”
Time: A mission statement talks about the present leading to its future. A vision statement talks about your future.
Function: It lists the broad goals for which the organization is formed. Its prime function is internal, to define the key measure or measures of the organization’s success and its prime audience is the leadership team and stockholders. It lists where you see yourself some years from now. It inspires you to give your best. It shapes your understanding of why are you working here
Change: Your mission statement may change, but it should still tie back to your core values and vision. Your vision should remain intact, even if the market changes dramatically, because it speaks to what you represent, not just what you do.
Developing a statement: What do we do today? For whom do we do it? What is the benefit? What do we want to do going forward? When do we want to do it? How do we want to do it?
For what business?: For an established business For a new start up business, new program or plan
Features of an effective: Purpose and values of the organization Which business the organization wants to be in (products or services, market) or who are the organization’s primary “clients” (stakeholders) Which are the responsibilities of the organization towards the Clarity and lack of ambiguity Paint a vivid and clear picture, not ambiguous Describing a bright future (hope) Memorable and engaging expression Realistic aspirations, achievable Alignment with organizational values and culture
For new and small firms: should be a concise statement of business strategy and developed from the customer’s perspective and it should fit with the vision for the business. spells out goals at a high level and should coincide with the founder’s goals for the business.