Theology Essay free essay sample

We know from scripture that God walked around in the garden of Eden; Genesis 3:8. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.. This shows us that God is actively involved in the lives of his people. As I have grown up in Church I have heard many sermons and seen many things, but the thing that has seemed to escape the view of leadership is to make God a reality to a generation that believes that God a so far from them that he can never understand what they face in life. The scriptures are clear that we serve a God who is a â€Å"kinsman redeemer which in the Greek is translated, as redeemer or near relative. This means that he not only redeems us, but he redeems us from a place of closeness and understanding. As there is preparation and study this has to be at the heart of the pastor how can I make God a reality to the people that are sitting in the audience and they are facing real issues and problems and they don’t need a nice sermon, but a real sermon, about a real God. We will write a custom essay sample on Theology Essay or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The beauty in Jesus is that He was both man and God. He was man enough to feel compassion for the sick and God enough to heal the infirmity. Over and over again in scriptures we see that Jesus was moved was compassion for the people in which he encountered. An example would be the feeding of the five-thousand in Matthew 9:36. He was moved with compassion on them; this shows Jesus and his humanity which if Jesus operated this way then we as Pastors have the same responsibility. We cannot operate like we are not human but show people that we are human as they are and have been given a grace to lead them. Outside of the pulpit is where many pastors get in to trouble because many don’t know how to connect with people outside of a sermon and the pulpit. A pastor’s responsibility does extend outside of the pulpit into the community and society that to which they have been called. This means that whether or not a member of the congregation or not there are people that should be positively affected by the impact the ministry has on the community. The is means that the Jesus must be presented as a God that has not been touched with the feeling of our infirmities according to Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. This is how we make the words jump off the page and Jesus becomes real when we communicate that he can relate to us and He understands where we are in life. He is not far from us but is available to be an active part of our lives. We must teach this generation how to acknowledge God. As the scripture says In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Prov 3:6 to make in this passage is an action word that shows that he is present with us when we acknowledge Him. Through miracles and interventions that take place even today show us that God is very much active in the lives of his people most recently with the release of women who had been kidnapped and held in captivity for over ten years and now they are free! This is God at work. This should be the passionate work of every Pastor to make it know that Jesus is not only real but he acts of behalf of His people. This does not mean that people will not go through issues in life, but it does mean that because God is active in the lives of His people we can make it through every situation. We must learn and grow in this walk knowing that we are ambassadors and with that comes the responsibility to represent Christ to our generation. Word Count: 798 Bibliography Unknown †Do We Matter To God† http://www. internationalstudents. org/kgp-God_matter. php? idlv2=78 May 2013 Stewart, Don â€Å"How Involved Is God in Running the Universe† http://www. blueletterbible. org/faq/don_stewart/stewart. cfm? id=1370 May 2013. Kulikovsky, Andrew â€Å"Creation, preservation and dominion: part 1—God, humanity and the created order† http://creation. mobi/creation-preservation-and-dominion-part-1 May 2013 The Blue Letter Bible www. theblueletterbible. com31 May 2013. Bible Gateway www. biblegateway. com1 May 2013

Preparation of propanone from propan Essay Example

Preparation of propanone from propan Paper Aim: The aim of this experiment is to prepare propanone by oxidizing propan-2-ol with acidified potassium dichromate solution. Introduction: Ketones and aldehydes are important series in preparation of other compounds and they are commonly prepared by oxidizing alcohol which is done in this experiment. The experiment is an oxidation reaction where a secondary alcohol (propan-2-ol) is oxidized by acidified potassium dichromate. The reaction does not need to be heated but should be placed in an iced water bath as the reaction is highly exothermic. The product is propanone and no catalyst is needed for the reaction. The propanone is serparated from the reaction mixture by simple distillation and is purified using anhydrous cacium chloride. The equation of this reaction is as follow: Chromic acid is produced in situ by adding potassium dichromate (VI) with sulphuric acid and water. With acidified potassium dichromate as an oxidizing agent, propene could be oxidized to form propan-1,2-diol. This could cause the propan-2-ol to form propan-1,2-diol which wasted the raw material (propan-2-ol) which led to less amount of propanone formed and obtained. With sulphuric acid as a catalyst, 2 propan-2-ol might react with each other to form ether with elimination of a water molecule. The equation is as below: Why do we need to use ice bath? This is because the boiling point of propanone is only 56oC, during the oxidation, the boiling point of propanone would be reached as the oxidation was very exothermic. If the iced water bath was not used, most of the propanone would be vaporized and escape from the reaction mixture. This causes loss of the product. Therefore, we need to use an ice bath during the oxidation to minimize the amount of propanone vaporized. We will write a custom essay sample on Preparation of propanone from propan specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Preparation of propanone from propan specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Preparation of propanone from propan specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Why do we need to use anhydrous sodium chloride? This is because even after distillation, the product might contain some water. We need to use anhydrous sodium chloride as a drying agent to extract the water molecule mixed in the organic product. Why does the ketone further oxidize to form carboxylic acid? Ketone may undergo further oxidation to form carboxylic acid with acidified potassium permanganate and under reflux. This reaction has very high activation energy because this requires breaking the strong C-C bond Why do we use the suction flask instead of purely using the gravitational force to filter the crystals? This is because if we do not use the suction flask or any negative pressure, the filtration process will be too slow. The suction flask provides a negative pressure and together with the gravitational force, the filtration will be much faster. The crystal and the filter paper can also be air dried quickly. A picture of a suction flask The filter paper is placed on the plate, and the filter paper is moistened with a solvent to prevent initial leakage. The liquid to be filtered is poured into the cylinder and drawn through the perforated plate by vacuum suction. In our experiment, we use running tap water to produce a suction force. Actually, there are many more methods to produce the negative pressure, such as lowering the pressure using a vacuum pump. The main advantage in using this type of filtration is that it proceeds much more quickly (several orders of magnitude) than simply allowing the solvent to drain through the filter medium via the force of gravity. Ketones and aldehydes Ketones are versatile compounds which can be converted to a number of useful functional groups through reduction, nucleophilic addition or condensation reactions. Ketones and aldehydes are important series in preparation of other compounds and they are commonly prepared by oxidizing alcohol which is done in this experiment. Ketone also plays a very important part in organic synthesis. Ketones and aldehydes can be synthesised into many other chemicals. Reactions involving ketones include nucleophilic addition reactions to the carbon-oxygen double bond to form an -OH group in the compound with the addition of a nucleophilic group. Testing carbonyl compound There are lots of ways to test the existence of C=O in an organic compound.

Sample Answers to Illinoios Essay Question

Sample Answers to Illinoios Essay QuestionThere are a number of questions that you need to ask when studying for the Hawaii Expat Exam, including some sample answers to Illinoios essay question. The only real difference between a standard and a sample answer is that a sample will give you an idea as to how the essay is written, and what types of questions will be asked on it.You will learn the specific question you need to answer and then focus on your answers. One thing to remember is that while the sample questions are there to give you an idea, you should still use them as guidelines for how you should be writing your essay. The guidelines are there to help you, but you need to be able to write the essay for your own needs.You need to know what the essay is going to be about. This will be different for every student, so try to follow the question and answer closely. Think about how you feel about your topic. If you have questions about how to write an essay, it is best to read the sample essay.Once you know the question and answer the next step is to think about the details of the essay. You need to know how you are going to provide evidence to support your argument. To be able to provide enough information to make a strong case for your position, you need to prepare yourself for the detailed questions that will be asked.To prepare yourself for the questions that will be asked, do some proof reading. This means that you need to find the questions and have them written down in a note book. As you review the question and answer, make sure that you are ready to answer them. You need to know how to answer each question as best as possible.Remember that there are a number of samples available online. Do not fall into the trap of simply following the questions blindly. Take a look at the sample answers and see how well they match the question and answer. This will help you understand how to prepare yourself for the exact questions you will be asked.Try to incorpor ate the sample answers to Illinoios essay question into your overall plan of study. The idea is to get used to writing the essay. The sample answers will help you prepare yourself for the final test. It will help you write the essay in the way that the exam is written, which can only be done if you have a good understanding of the format.When taking the exam, it is important to be able to write the different types of essays that are required by the format. Being able to write a formal essay when the format requires one is a skill that will take time to develop, but the extra effort will pay off in the end.

ITALIAN IMMAGRANTS essays

ITALIAN IMMAGRANTS essays In the1920s the United States of America welcomed thousands of immigrants every day. They came to the United States looking for opportunity and a better life. From 1920 to1930, 4,652,115 people immigrated to the United States. 5550,460 of these were Italian. Italians like other immigrants faced many hardships when they arrived in the U.S. Most hardships were caused by racisms and naturism. Americans were not used to the immigrants and thought less of them. Italians were also blamed for many of the nations problems. The government raided many of the immigrants homes because the feared they were communist. The Sacco and Venzetti trial proves the blame the Americans put on immigrants. There was no substantial evidence in the case. They were still convicted because they were immigrants and there were prejudices against them and their beliefs. At first people didnt realize the art and culture that Italian immigrants brought with them. I think that if people werent scared of the new culture coming they would of learned from them. The Immigrants brought with them things that we now experience every day. Enrique Caruso was opera tenor who was one of the first musicians to commercialize Italian operas in America. The Italian Immigrants also brought their love of food with them. This leaves us today with many foods that are common to people who dont realize they didnt exist in this country until the Italian immigrants brought them. Food such as pizza, pasta, cheeses, and cold cuts are on Americans diets because of the immigrants. Paranoia struck the government in 1941. In the months immediately following Pearl Harbor. About 250 Italian Americans were interned. They were considered by the U.S. government to be security risks. By June 1942, the FBI interned 1,521 Italian Americans. They were sent to interment camps in Montana, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Most were released shortl ...

Human Resource Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

Human Resource - Assignment Example I do wonder how to run a multinational business. Multinational business is interesting since it enables one to influence the whole world. If I have the right skill and education, I will try software design. The career would enable me to design new software that can change the world. I love my job since it allows me to interact with many people. My job enables me to identify talents and skills in employees. If my boss allowed me, I would concentrate on mentoring young people to identify their talents and use them. It is noteworthy that most people assume their talents and skills yet they can use them to enhance their lives. If I had a free day, I would choose to spend time advising young people on how to make right career choices. Most people fail in their careers due to wrong career decisions they made as students. I wish to be remembered for influencing the lives of many people in the society. It is my dream to leave an impact in the society before I retire from my profession. Step Two The common themes in aforementioned are talent and working with students. I am interested in working with young students and transforming their lives. I also believe in incorporating talent into an individual's career. Step three Talent, mentorship, and creativity excite me about my dreams. I would identify sectors of my career relevant to my interests and incorporate them into my career. I would combine my current skills with passions by striking a balance between the two. I would also follow my passion while using my skills in my job.

Disabilities within the educational setting Essay - 1

Disabilities within the educational setting - Essay Example This type of â€Å"in classroom† therapy requires the speech therapist to maintain constant communication with other educators working with the same student. Other therapists may be included in the student’s education plan, such as occupational therapists, physical therapists and behavioral therapists. The involvement of these specialists allows the student’s specific educational plan to remain consistent and customized to provide the student with maximum results. In addition, frequent observation of the student by the educators and therapists will allow for the goals designed for that student to be more quickly reached, as well as to intervene when goals are not being reached. This will also allow the educators to design progress plans around that particular student’s specific capabilities and challenges. Observation and assessment also pinpoint delays or complications in the student’s learning and development. This type of assessment and observation can be done in an inclusive situation where the student is integrated into a regular classroom setting with his or her peers. This can also occur in a specialized and segregated setting where the student may be severely disabled and requires a more specialized classroom environment. Children suffering from spectrum disorders such as autism can be placed in inclusive classroom settings if their degree of autism is on the low end. If the student, however, suffers from a high degree of autism and perhaps requires more one on one teaching, the individual will most often need to be placed in a specialized classroom setting. Children with disabilities can certainly range from speech and learning disabilities to physical disabilities to spectrum disorders such as autism. It is important to note that regardless of the presence of a disability or not, all children have the right to an education. It is unlawful to not accommodate the learning needs

Mission and Vision Statements Essay Example for Free

Mission and Vision Statements Essay It often reflects the values and beliefs of top managers in an organization. A mission statement is the broad definition of the organizational mission. It is sometimes referred to as a creed, purpose, or statement of corporate philosophy and values. A good mission statement inspires employees and provides a focus and direction for setting lower level objectives. It should guide employees in making decisions and establish what the organization does. Mission statements are crucial for organizations to prosper and grow. While studies suggest that they have a positive impact on profitability and can increase shareholder equity, they also support that almost 40 percent of employees do not know or understand their companys mission. Not only large corporations benefit from creating mission statements but small businesses as Photo by: sellingpix http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-Statements. html Page 1 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM well. Entrepreneurial businesses are driven by vision and high aspirations. Developing a mission statement will help the small business realize their vision. Its primary purpose is to guide the entrepreneur and assist in refining the planning process. By developing a strategic plan that incorporates the mission statement, entrepreneurs are more likely to be successful and stay focused on what is important. The mission statement encourages managers and small business owners alike to consider the nature and scope of the business. Business Week attributes 30 percent higher return on several key financial measure for companies with well-crafted mission statements. COMMON ELEMENTS While mission statements vary from organization to organization and represent the distinctness of each one, they all share similar components. Most statements include descriptions of the organizations target market, the geographic domain, their concern for survival, growth and profitability, the company philosophy, and the organizations desired public image. For example: Our mission is to become the favorite family dining restaurant in every neighborhood in which we operate. This will be accomplished by serving a variety of delicious tasting and generously portioned foods at moderate prices. Our restaurants will be clean, fun, and casual. Our guests will be served by friendly, knowledgeable people that are dedicated to providing excellent customer service. This mission statement describes the target market, which are families and the geographic domain of neighborhoods. It clearly states how it expects to be profitable by offering excellent customer service by friendly, knowledgeable people. When defining the mission statement it is important to take into account external influences such as the competition, labor conditions, economic conditions, and possible government regulation. It is important to remember however, that mission statements that try to be everything to everybody end up being nothing to anybody. http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-Statements. html Page 2 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM Companies should have mission statements that clearly define expected shareholder returns and they should regularly measure performance in terms of those expected returns. If the major reason for a businesss existence is to make a profit then it stands to reason that expectations of profit should be included in the organizations mission. This means that management should reach a consensus about which aspects of the companys profit performance should be measured. These might include margin growth, product quality, market share changes, competitive cost position, and capital structure efficiency. A mission statement sets the boundaries for how resources should be allocated and what strategic and operational goals should be set. The mission statement should acknowledge the companys strengths and then inform employees where to direct their efforts in order to take advantage of those strengths. Before writing a mission statement organizations should take a look at how they are different from the competition, whether it is in technology, image and name brand, or employees. It can often be thought of as a recipe for success because it not only defines the organizations accomplishments but it also provides employees with directions to help them develop plans and look for opportunities for improvement. The organization defines what is acceptable behavior through the mission statement. Values and beliefs are the core of a strong mission statement. For example: Quality and values will secure our success. We will live by our values, have fun, and take pride in what we do. Our values are to maintain a work environment where people enjoy coming to work, to serve our guests and exceed their expectations, and to be profitable and result oriented. This mission statement is simple and straightforward. It does not, however, specify the products or target market. The mission statement also provides meaning to the organization by stating not only what goals the company wants to achieve but also why it wants to achieve these goals. It is not effective unless it is challenging and forces workers to establish goals and means to measure the achievement of those goals. A mission statement should inspire employees and get them involved in the organization. It has been called the glue that holds the organization together through shared values and standards of behavior. A mission statement should be relevant to the history, culture, and values of the company. Many statements refer to the social responsibility of the organization. For example, a company can show their concern for the community in the following: http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-Statements. html Page 3 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM To be involved as good corporate citizens wherever we are around the world. We will treat customers and distributors with honesty, courtesy, and respect. We will respect and preserve the environment. Through all of this we will prove to be the worldwide leader in industry trade. One important issue in organizations today is the concern with diversity. While it is not a traditional point included in mission statements, more and more companies are including it because of the globalization of the economy and the increased diversity of the workforce. Before writing a mission statement, leaders in the organization must have an idea of what is in store for the future. This vision is the foundation for the mission statement. The vision provides a strategic direction, which is the springboard for the mission and its related goals. A vision statement differs from a mission statement. Vision statements are a view of what an organization is striving to become. For example: To bring back to neighborhoods all over America the importance of family unity. We will view ourselves as a family so these attributes will be carried over into our service. They guide an organization into the future while mission statements are a reflection of the present. Because vision statements are a glimpse into the future, they are often not realized for several years. Organizations go through many changes and can face times of confusion and uncertainty. Changes are not always expected or easy, so a well thought out vision statement will help everyone stay focused and meet the organizations goals. Some examples of well-known companies mission statements: Wal-Mart: To give ordinary folk the chance to buy the same thing as rich people. 3M: To solve unsolved problems innovatively. Walt Disney: To make people happy. Historically, these may have seemed arrogant. But consider the outcome of the following mission statements from each companys early days: Ford Motor Company: Ford will democratize the automobile. Sony: Become the company most know for changing the world-wide poor-quality image of Japanese products. Wal-Mart: Become a $125 billion company by the year 2000. http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-Statements. html Page 4 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM WRITING A MISSION STATEMENT When creating a mission statement there are a few simple guidelines that can be followed. It is important to remember the basics so the mission statement stays simple and straight to the point. Some researchers agree that it should be kept to between 30 and 60 words, while others believe it does not necessarily have to be that brief. Some organizations have mission statements that are only one sentence, while others are a paragraph. An example of a mission statement that is limited to one sentence is Our business is selling houses and our mission is total customer satisfaction. At a minimum, each mission statement should answer the following three questions: (1) What are the opportunities or needs the organization addresses? (2) What does the organization do to address those needs? and (3) What principles and values guide the organization? In other words, defining the organizations purpose, business and values. Avoiding jargon and buzzwords will keep the mission statement clear and easy to understand. It should be universal and simple to comprehend for all employees in the organization. It should be unique and identify the organization. A mission statement is often what sets one company apart from the competition. It should outline the organizations competitive advantages and differentiate it from everyone else. Specific products/services offered as well as markets or customers should be included. Also a general business definition, behavioral standards, and desired competitive position can be added to a strong mission statement. EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT It is often helpful to allow company-wide input when creating a mission statement. This bottom up approach results in greater commitment to the organization and a better understanding of the organization. Employees from throughout the organization can help identify the core values of the company. In order to encourage employee participation, many companies have created competitions inviting employees to submit suggestions. Cash prizes are sometimes provided as an incentive for creative and inspirational statements. Some companies find it useful to invite customers to assist in writing a mission statement because they can provide an honest perspective. Another option is to review mission statements from other companies. This can help provide ideas as the writing process begins. It is important to keep in mind that there will be a draft process involved in creating the mission statement. Employees can often provide invaluable insight on how to improve on each draft. In the end, the mission statement should reflect the personality of the organization. Thus, each company should be creative and unique in developing its own statement. Creating a mission http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-Statements. html Page 5 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PMÂ  committee that consists of members of management, frontline employees, and customers is another way to begin writing a mission statement. The major benefit of this strategy is the inclusion of all areas of the organization to ensure that everyone is represented. Another benefit is that employees will be more willing to work toward accomplishing the mission if they know they had a voice in i ts creation. A top down approach can be effective in smaller organizations or even sole proprietorships. There is less time involved in creating a mission statement when it comes from the top. Also, many times frontline employees and lower level managers lack the insight necessary to see the big picture. They may not be able to conceptualize the entire organization and therefore miss important aspects of the business. Participation may not always be a good option for small businesses. In small businesses that are started by entrepreneurs the mission statement is generally a vision of an individual and therefore may not be negotiable. When the mission statement comes from upper management, employees are more assured of the organizations commitment to the statement. A word of caution should be noted when deciding whether to adopt a top down approach or a bottom up approach. If the mission statement is to be created with a wide variety of input from both employees and customers then it will take longer than a top down approach. There must be a sharing of views and ideas with compromises made. A consensus should be developed without the problems associated with groupthink. There is always the possibility that too much compromise will distort the mission statement and the end result is something different from the original intent. The top down approach is not always effective because it rarely consults employees when making important decisions. Therefore, although it is the fastest route to take it isnt always the most effective. While the mission statement should be able to change with the times it is also understood to have a certain degree of permanence. As new businesses begin to grow and hire more employees the mission statement should provide a strong sense of stability and a clear definition of the culture. A mission statement is worthless unless it has the support of the employees in the organization. It will only be successful if each employee commits to its success and internalizes it. Once the statement is completed it is extremely important that the organization not put it on the shelf to collect dust. It should be shared with the entire company. The introduction of the mission statement should come directly from top management in order to set the example. Organizations should be creative in making employees aware of the mission statement. Placing it strategically in locations where employees gather will increase awareness and remind them of the goals of the http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-Statements. html Page 6 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM organization. Videos outlining the details of the new mission statement are often useful; however, it is critical that employees have the opportunity to discuss the statement with members of management. Setting up meetings with members of management and frontline employees can often help uncover areas where the company does not meet the standards set by the mission statement. Communicating the mission statement to customers will make them feel valued and important. It can be sent to customers in a mass mailing or posted on signs in areas those customers frequent. It sets forth the goals of the organization so customers know what to expect when doing business with the company. SWOT ANALYSIS SWOT is an acronym for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool that helps an organization match its internal strengths and weaknesses with external opportunities and threats. SWOT analysis is important and useful in creating and executing the organizations mission statement. Often the best strategies for accomplishing the organizations mission are revealed through the SWOT analysis. The best strategies are those that take advantage of strengths and opportunities, offset threats, and improve weaknesses. Organizations should first begin by reviewing internal strengths and weaknesses. When analyzing an organizations strengths it is important to identify distinctive competencies or strengths possessed by only a few competing firms. These distinctive competencies often become the competitive advantages that are included in the mission statement. Distinctive competencies can be found in financial resources, quality products and services, proprietary technology, or cost advantages. Organizational weaknesses are skills and capabilities that prevent an organization from implementing strategies that achieve its mission. They can be problems with facilities, lack of a clear strategic direction, internal operating problems, too narrow a product line, weak market image, or the inability to finance changes. The next step is to identify external opportunities and threats. Organizational opportunities are circumstances in an organizations environment that if capitalized on will result in above normal increases in economic performance. Examples of opportunities are related to the possibility of adding a new product line, increasing market growth, or diversifying into related products. Threats are viewed as circumstances that give rise to normal or below normal economic performance. They can be found in the ease of entry of competitors, increased sales of substituted products, demographic changes, slowed market growth, or increased competition. EVALUATION http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-State ments. html Page 7 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM Evaluation of the mission statement is necessary to ensure the organization is meeting its goals. If needed, new goals may have to be created in order to accommodate changes in the organization. It may be time to reevaluate what the organization is doing or where it is headed. This is a good time to think about entering into new areas or to begin doing things differently by rewriting part or all of the mission and vision statements. In evaluating an organizations performance, management must look at several different aspects of the organization. First, managers need to determine if the organizations plans are clearly linked to its mission statement and related goals. Plans should be developed for both the short run and long run. Secondly, assigning jobs that are directly related to the achievement of organizational goals will help ensure they are attained. The goals should be communicated clearly so employees understand what tasks need to be carried out and what the rewards will be. Finally, when evaluating individual performance, the information gathered should be recent and compared to established standards. Mission statements are often difficult to evaluate because they are written in a somewhat abstract form. They are, many times, not directly measurable and vaguely worded. Figure 1 presents an example of how mission statements can be measured from the top of the organization to the bottom. Strategic goals are directly tied to the organizations mission statement and apply to the organization as a whole. Tactical goals are departmental goals that support the strategic goals. Finally, operational goals are written at the individual level. Each one of these makes it possible to measure the organizations mission statements. An organizations likelihood of accomplishing its mission is increased as it creates strong and measurable goals at each level. It is not necessary that the mission statement be measured in quantifiable terms. It may also be measured qualitatively. For example, We will answer all of our customers questions and if we dont know the answer, we will find out. While this is not a quantitative statement it can be measured by monitoring customer service calls and setting operational goals for employees that revolve around follow up and thoroughness. Mission and vision statements give organizations a focus and a strategy for the future. According to Bart and Tabone, they have become the cornerstones of organizations. They contribute to organizations success and can lead to increases in productivity and performance. They do not have to be reserved for the entire organization—each department or division can benefit from developing a mission statement, as long as they are not in contradiction to the companys overall mission. Preferably, an individual departments mission links it to the fulfillment of the overall http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-Statements. html Page 8 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM company mission. Mission statements for functional Figure 1 departments provide the same benefits as they do for the entire organization. In conclusion, mission statements provide a sense of direction and purpose. In times of change and growth they can be an anchor and a guide in decision making. The benefits far outweigh the disadvantages and challenges when looking at the potential for increases in profitability and returns. Defining an organization by what it produces and who it satisfies are major steps towards creating a sound and stable mission statement. Setting a company apart from the competition is probably one of the biggest advantages. SEE ALSO: Strategic Planning Failure ; Strategic Planning Tools ; Strategy Formulation ; Strategy Implementation ; SWOT Analysis Amy McMillan Revised by Deborah Hausler FURTHER READING: Bart, C. K. , and J. C. Tabone.