Developing Your Visionand Goals

Module Four

Something to Think About

Vision without action is a daydream.

Action without vision is a nightmare.

Japanese Proverb

Outline of Module Four• 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 Statement1. Each Person – Reflect on the Following (5 minutes):

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. In Small Groups – Share Your Ideas (10 minutes):Discuss ideas; determine common themes; agree on key

ideas/themes most important for your region or for your group’s work

3. Report Your Small Group’s Key Themes with the Whole Group (8 minutes):

Identify common themes and opportunities; select most important themes and opportunities

4. Develop an initial draft of a vision statement (10 minutes) 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

REGIONALGOALS

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

BarriersPast

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

AttainableMeasurableSpecific

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 WorksheetYOUR GOAL: (write your goal in this box and then analyze it using the SMART criteria below)

Write Your Comments Below

Specific

Measurable

Attainable

Realistic

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 AheadModule Five:• We’ll examine a variety of regional

economic-related data, such as:

Education Workforce Industry Occupational projections