**Discussion Question** paragraph will work. APA references

Organizations must clearly articulate a Mission Statement and Vision Statement in order to strategically plan. Failing to understand those initial steps of the strategic planning process often leads an organization away from, instead of towards, effective strategic planning.

Below are five Mission Statements and five Vision Statements. Select one Mission Statement and one Vision Statement. Clearly explain why the selected Mission Statement and Vision Statement is effective or ineffective; offer supporting rationale for your explanation and be sure to reference your statements using proper APA.

Mission Statements:

• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (pharmaceuticals) - "To discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases."
• ConocoPhillips (gas/energy) - "Our mission is to power civilization."
• Walgreens (drugstores) - "To be the most trusted, convenient multichannel provider and advisor of innovative pharmacy, health and wellness solutions, and consumer goods and services in communities across America."
• Nike (athletics) - "To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world."
• The Dow Chemical Company (chemicals) - "To passionately create innovation for our stakeholders at the intersection of chemistry, biology and physics."

Vision Statements:

• Amazon (online retail) - "Our vision is to be earth's most customer-centric company where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online... at the lowest possible prices."
• PepsiCo (retail) - "Our vision is put into action through programs and a focus on environmental stewardship, activities to benefit society, and a commitment to build shareholder value by making PepsiCo a truly sustainable company."
• Amnesty International (nonprofit) - "Our vision is of a world in which every person - regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity - enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other internationally recognized human rights standards."
• Ikea (retail) - "To create a better everyday life for the many people."
• The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) (nonprofit) - "The vision of the ASPCA is that the United States is a humane community in which all animals are treated with respect and kindness."