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REPLY 1

Re:Vision Statement

Definition:

According to the article "Toward a Grounded Theory: A Qualitative Study of Vision Statement Development" by Shelley Kirkpatrick, a vision statement is defined as follows: "A vision is a leader's statement of a desired, long-term future state for an organization (Burns, 1978; House, 1977). Vision is a key component in transformational and charismatic leadership theory (Bass, 1985; Conger & Kanungo, 1987; House, 1977), as it provides meaning and context to employees about the purpose of the organization" (Kirkpatrick 2017).

Summary:

In the article "Toward a Grounded Theory: A Qualitative Study of Vision Statement Development" by Shelley Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick set out to determine a grounded theory on how to develop a vision statement. She interviewed 30 leaders of organizations to determine methods of producing a solid vision statement. Those interviews lead to five categories in which a vision statement can be developed - uncommunicated, unstated yet implemented, formally stated, refined, and re-examined (Kirkpatrick 2017). Kirkpatrick goes on to discuss the importance of the vision statement, and how “Research consistently demonstrates that a vision statement can improve organizational performance as well as individual follower performance only if the vision contains certain characteristics” (Kirkpatrick 2017). Kirkpatrick then goes on to explain each of the five categories in more depth.

Kirkpatrick, S. A. (2017). Toward a Grounded Theory: A Qualitative Study of Vision Statement Development. Academy of Management Proceedings, 18(1), 87-101. doi:10.5465/ambpp.2016.10225abstract

Discussion:

Most business people know the importance of a vision statement and what it does for a company, however there is no set “method” or rule to how to form a vision statement. In order to discover a grounded theory on developing a vision statement, Shelley Kirkpatrick did extensive research interviewing 30 leaders of established companies. After the interviews she determined that developing a vision can fall into five categories. The first was “uncommunicated”. This is when the leader has inspiration, forms a company from that inspiration, but it is not yet communicated to the employees. “Unstated yet implemented” is when there is an informal visions statement, but a formal statement has not been formulated because the leader has not found the right words for the vision, or they feel like the company is not ready for formulate a vision yet. “Formally stated” is when the vision statement is developed very early on in a company. “Refined” is simply when a leader will seek feedback from employees to refine the statement and make sure it is as good as it can be. The last category is “re-examined”, this is when a company re-examines the vision to make sure it is still relevant and understandable.

After learning about theses five categories of developing a vision statement, I believe the best category to glean from would be category two, “unstated yet implemented”. This method of coming up with a vision statement make the most since to me because so many companies develop mission statements to early on. As a company develops more of the purpose of that company becomes revealed, as well as the culture and feel of the company. According to Kirkpatrick, “Leaders' reasons for not formally stating a vision were that they had not found the right words, were too busy running the company, did not initially see the importance of stating a formal vision, and saw doing so as hypocritical” (2017). If a leader does not see a clear vision right away, there is no reason to rush. It is important to let the vision become more apparent, than trying to formulate words that are not quite there yet. Kirkpatrick summed it up perfectly when he quoted Scott McNealy of Sun Microsystems in his article, McNealy stated, “Most leaders use the vision statement to sound and look good, but if it doesn't reflect what's going on in the company, then it's worthless” (2017).

 

Biblical Reference:

When speaking of walking by faith, Habakkuk 2:2-3 states, “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, It will not tarry.” In order for us to physically see what God has placed in our hearts (in business or in personal endeavors), we must mentally be able to see it first. We should write it down and keep it before us so we don’t go off track and are not distracted from the vision God has given us.

 

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Reply 2

RE: Reserving Topic - Strategic Vision 

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Strategic Vision

Definition:

“Strategic vision is the desired or preferred form and posture of an organization in the future.”

Summary:

Due to the competitiveness among Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in attracting and retaining top academic staff, branding has become a crucial element in a school’s success.  A number of studies have been done in the past regarding organizational branding, but there is little to no data linking the success of the aforementioned branding with the ability to entice top academic staff to join an institution.  The study performed by Saurombe, Barkhuizen, and Schutte, seeks to delve into this little explored paradigm.  The sample size is a bit on the small side due to the area being targeted, specifically colleges in South Africa, but the findings could certainly be applied globally with the proliferation of online institutions and the competition for academic staff and students alike.

Discussion:

As the world becomes more interconnected, the barriers to higher education continue to fall by the wayside.  This has led to increased competition among HEIs to attract and retain premier academic talent.  Institutions are using organizational branding to stand apart from one another to not only assist in this endeavor, but to compete for students as well.  Part of the reason I am at Liberty University is that I wanted to go to a Christian school; when I heard “Training Champions for Christ” the deal was sealed.  I also needed the ability to go 100% online due to my job and family commitments, and the fact that Liberty is in Virginia (where I reside) was just an added bonus. 

The above-mentioned study tells of the six components that comprise the organizational brand for higher education: strategic vision, culture and identity, reputation and image, corporate social responsibility, work environment, and surrounding environment.  While a case can be made for any of the preceding traits to be the prime factor in any organization’s success, I would argue that with the correct strategic vision and the right leadership to execute on that vision, everything other trait on the list will ultimately fall into place.  Strategic vision in and of itself is not the hard the part, it is the execution of that vision. 

Henry Ford had the vision to mass produce automobiles using the assembly line, but imagine if he failed to execute on that vision; it is very likely we would not have Ford Motor Company and he would not occupy space in history books.  The same could also be said for Andrew Carnegie (U.S. Steel) and John Rockefeller (Standard Oil).  All three of these men were titans of industry.  They achieved their success because they saw the potential entrepreneurial opportunities, were oriented towards taking risks, and had a strategic vision and the ambition to act on it. (Capello & Lenzi, 2016).  Success achieved on that scale, is certainly not for the meek.

 

Biblical Perspective:

            The main source used for this thread was an article about HEIs and their use of a strategic vision to attract top academic staff and increase their organizational brand.  It is not hard to draw comparisons to Liberty University, which has also worked diligently to increase their branding and stature over the years.  From its humble beginnings in 1971, to an enrollment of over 100,000 students today, Liberty University has been tremendously successful in their mission of “Training Champions for Christ”.  I believe that success is due to maintaining the vision of the founder, Dr. Jerry Falwell, and that can be supported with one verse from Proverbs – “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3, NIV).

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Reply 3

Re:  Goal of Planning

Definition:

“Organizational Management & Leadership: A Christian Perspective” “To anticipate as many future events as possible in order to successfully formulate a course of action, increase revenues, and satisfy owner requirements; however, it is virtually impossible for any organization to plan for and conceive of every future event that it may encounter.”

Anita Satterlee (2013) Organizational Management & Leadership: A Christian Perspective (2nd Ed.)

Raleigh: Synergistics International Inc.   

 

Summary: The article I chose is called, Environment, Equity, and Economic Development Goals: Understanding Differences in Local Economic Development Strategies. This article talks about the three pillars that local governments need to do goal planning with. With the three pillars environment, equity, and economic development all need to have goals that can provide balance and growth into the future. Local governments now need to figure out how to plan on these pillars especially now that most governments are thriving and having an increase in tax revenue. They also need to plan on development on their economics for continued growth. It also talks about keeping the local government accountable for the actions they take with the goals they make. This article has information to help local government thrive and plan for their future goals.

Discussion: This hits the three most important goals that local governments need to plan for, to allow them to grow in the future. If the local government doesn’t plan or set goals they will have a hard time to succeed in the future. They can plan for growth and have goals to keep and bring in new business to help with the growth. How important is it to you for your local government to plan? To me local government needs to plan. I currently work for a city as a firefighter, the city is growing rapidly which cause the tax income to raise rapidly as well. I the city doesn’t plan on how to use and save the money for the future the city could fall apart and end up being a ghost town. Like in the article, “which can create a negative-sum game and harm long-term sustainable development.” (Xue Zhang, 2017) One-way local governments can plan for this is by talking to local business and see what they need. I they have issues and can’t get them solved they won’t stay and that won’t attract new businesses to come if they see local businesses leaving. “Community economic development strategies and traditional business incentives are not substitutes, but are used simultaneously by local governments. For example, business incentives are often combined with local business expansion and retention strategies to enhance economic development.” (Xue Zhang, 2017) Local governments need to start planning for community growth. If the business growth is happening they need to provide housing and public services to all the new growth. “Community economic development strategies promote the linkage between firms and local community development. These strategies include small business development, business expansion and retention, and community activities such as market assistance and management training for small businesses, business clusters, and industrial districts that expand local firms’ development, and investments in high quality of life for workers.” (Xue Zhang, 2017) Local governments need to start planning for this growth now that the recession is over. They need to not worry about another one and start the planning for the growth of the three pillars. Now that we discussed the planning, we need to also talk about the accountability of the officials running the local government. With them planning we need to make sure they stick to it or change something that is working. Even as business come they need to make sure the local government keeps to their word on what they are going to do for them as the promised to them to bring them in.  In all this article has brought in some great discussion points on what goal planning is all about.

Biblical Integration: “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5 NIV, 2011) If the local governments don’t plan they will be setting them selves up for poverty. Like the verses says plans lead to profit. If they don’t plan on the growth, then the growth will never happen, and it will push them into poverty. If we put trust in the Lord, he will help us prosper and grow!