Core ideology, core purpose, envisioned future – these are the essentials that constantly reminds us of who we are and where we’re going. Having read the article “Building Your Company’s Vision” by James C. Collins and Jerry I. Porras makes me want to think of doing things that contribute to the general welfare rather than doing things because I just have to. It gives me purpose and something that keeps me going. It gives me reasons to love what I do and to pursue excellence in order that I may fulfill my purpose and satisfy my personal needs that goes beyond the salary, needs that seek deeper than what it looks on the outside. It defines mine and the organization’s being linked together.

The companies that have been mentioned have long been recognized successful and famous in their own industry and this article explains why they are where they are now. Such motivational stories would be of great help to those organizations who seek improvement and development in their structure as a whole.

Keeping up with this dynamic world isn’t easy and every organization needs something to hold on so they won’t lose their balance and just fall off from the cliff where they stand. One wrong move and everything will be messed up. This gives them the core that is unchanging, the core that is permanent and lives within the organization, the people, and everything is geared because of that certain thing. This article stresses the importance of having core ideology and core purpose so people within the organization – not just those in the management, but all of the members including the employees – won’t just do what they do for the shallow purpose of earning money, but rather, they would do it because they want to fulfill something that embodies their ideals, something that is a part of them, something that they would want to do because they love what they do.

Not only it benefits an individual, but also it gives a lot more benefits to the organization as a whole. If the employees are happy and they love what they do, they would produce high-quality products that satisfy their customers, resulting in a bunch of people patronizing their product, therefore assuring financial stability to the company. Another benefit is that if people inside the organization are one in ideals, and are united by the purpose, a good working environment will be developed inside the organization. Employees would want to stay regardless of the outcome because their work is more than what they need. It will soon reduce turnover and people outside would want to work in their company because of their own culture – one that harness one’s ability and keeps a good relationship inside the organization.

While keeping the organization’s core ideology, Collins and Porras also mentioned a lot from having an “envisioned future”. As once quoted from an Ancient Chinese Proverb, “If you don’t think about the future, you won’t have one.” it is true in every situation and not just in an organization. Vision aids the organization to focus on a specific target that they would want to reach. With this, the BHAG’s are introduced, an acronym for Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals. It is described by Collins and Porras in the article as,

“…clear and compelling, serves as a unifying focal point of effort, and acts as a catalyst for team spirit.”

Like all the other goals, even with combined and full effort, it is not assured that all of the BHAG’s will be reached. However, it seeks to define its purpose such that “..the organization must believe that it can reach the goal anyway.” (Collins and Porras).

Having these things in mind and mostly by heart, soon enough, we’ll be establishing companies on deep grounds with these ideologies, purpose, vison, and goals as the foundation. And once we reach our success, we must not give way to complacency. We must strive harder and set higher goals so we may have something to pursue and get the thrill of working hard once more.

I stand positive on this article and give it a ten on a 1-10 rating, ten being the highest. If we could only put our efforts and time on the right track, if we could only manage our resources very well, and if only we could preserve a legacy that we would live ourselves, there’s no reason life would be wasted. Therefore success is given within our reach and this must serve as a challenge to everyone , not just managers, as we pursue happiness and fulfillment.