In the previous segments of our Visioning Tips series, you took a look at eight different steps for generating creativity and homing in on your vision. In this next segment, you'll revisit or create the "vision story" that forms to life-force and energy-source for your day-to-day activities. Need to catch up? Start from the beginning of the Ivy Sea Visioning Series.

From cloudy to clarity
GETTING CLEAR ON YOUR "VISION STORY"

Your ability to share your vision effectively — and the enthusiasm that accompanies it — largely dictates who it will engage, how well employees personify it, which clients will be attracted to your organization (or department, or initiative), and how meaningful, worthwhile and focused the journey toyour goals will be.

Why? A clear, enticing vision is like a well-told story — listeners are rapt by the words and their meaning, and are emotionally connected to the characters — rooting for the heroes from start to finish.

Become a raconteur

If a vision remains a private concept in your head, only you will know where the ship is headed and why, handicapping employees, partners and other stakeholders who want to help steer the boat, and potentially dissuading others from seeking your expertise, services or products because the navigation seems murky.

By crafting a story that explains your organization’s vision, you’re:

• Making the vision easier to learn and understand, which helps individuals discern what they can contribute to the organization and what motivates them most about being part of the group;
• Equipping salespeople with another effective means to relay relationship-building information to prospects;
• Publicizing your vision in an accessible manner, boosting the likelihood that employees will retell the story to friends and family (who are also business prospects and community members);
• Making the vision part of most employees’ internal and actual dialogues — as compared to a framed plaque that extols the vision statement, but is relegated to the Board Room; and
• Providing the inspiration and "centering reality" that will help sustain leaders and other advocates along the journey.

Stock your storytelling toolbox with two versions of your tale

1. Draft an elevator-pitch version that anyone can use when they’ve got one minute or less to express the organization, department, group or initiative’s vision. Ensure that it provides enough information to elicit "I want to know more" questions, but not "that was so ambiguous and jargon-full, I’m confused" questions.

2. Write a feature-length story that describes the vision in detail, including all aspects of your organization, department, group or initiatve (employees, environment, lifestyle, clients, results, feedback, etc.). In addition to telling this story to strategic partners, colleagues and prospects, use this document to educate new hires, to reinvigorate the organization during slow business periods, and to describe new policies and initiatives (that are no doubt implemented to foster the vision).

Communicate your vision-story far and wide. Notice the people, business and coverage that it attracts over time, and how well you’re tracking to achieve your goals. Your results will give you another story to tell!

Check back next month for the next tip in our "Get Inspired"Visioning series.

In case you've missed previous tips...

We'll have ten tips in all (and, knowing us, we'll throw in a few bonus tips to tap that extra reserve of inspiration). So mark your calendar and bookmark the Series Intro page now. Don't miss these previous installments to our Visioning Tips Series:

Visioning Series Kickoff — A Few Great Reasons to Bother With Visioning

Visioning Tip #1 — Prime the Pump: Loosen up with some "get-started" dialogue

Visioning Tip #2 —The Reflection Connection: What's most important?

Visioning Tip #3 — Activate Your Senses: Get your brain storming with creativity

Visioning Tip #4 — Identify Your Emerging Themes

Visioning Tip #5 — Noticing Where Your Key Themes Are Already at Work

Visioning Tip #6 — What do people call your company when you're not in ear-shot?

Visioning Tip #7 — How do your personal ethics affect your vision, and others?

Visioning Tip #8 — Is your vision based on someone else's standards?

Remember, this information is food-for-thought. The most effective approach is the one that's been tailored to meet the unique needs of your group. If you have questions, connect with someone who can provide a perspective you trust and value, or e-mail us at info@ivysea.com.