Question 1

Identify the true statement regarding visions.

Accepted Answer

Visions often fail to adequately involve employees, leading to a lack of engagement and commitment to the vision. Effective visions should be inclusive and consider the perspectives and contributions of employees to ensure buy-in and successful implementation.

Question 2

An effective mission statement:

Accepted Answer

An effective mission statement captures people's idealistic motivations for why the organization exists. It should express the core values and purpose of the organization in a way that inspires and motivates its members. A mission statement that only focuses on describing products or services may be too narrow and fail to communicate the larger vision of the organization, while one that is too vague or unrealistic may not provide a clear direction for the organization. A mission statement that persists in the face of changing technologies and economic conditions may become irrelevant or outdated, while one that embodies the timeless values and aspirations of the organization can guide it through changing circumstances.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of activities that have a low strategic impact but which are relatively easy to execute?

Accepted Answer

Incremental improvements in products are low-risk activities that can be easily executed and have a low strategic impact. These improvements may not result in significant changes to the business strategy, but they can lead to improved efficiency and increased customer satisfaction. Mergers and acquisitions, major changes with potential for payoff, and difficult changes with little potential for payoff are more strategic in nature and require more resources and planning to execute.

Question 4

In an organization, when every person understands and embraces a vision _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In an organization, when every person understands...

Question 5

Freddie is the head of operations of Ambassador Inc. He wants to cocreate a vision for his organization. Which of the following steps should Freddie perform?

Accepted Answer

Freddie should get something down in writing, but make sure people know it is a draft that needs feedback. This allows for collaboration and co-creation of the vision, rather than it being solely the property of the leader. Writing from the heart and emotional appeals are often encouraged in creating a vision. Using multiple channels for communication can help ensure all team members understand the vision.

Question 6

A leader should explain what a new strategic direction means to each person because:

Accepted Answer

People are often fearful of change, and explaining what a new strategic direction means to each person can help alleviate those fears by providing clarity and understanding.

Question 7

Identify the correct statement regarding a mission.

Accepted Answer

A mission statement is a statement of an organization's core purpose and focus that normally remains unchanged over time. It serves as the glue that holds the organization together in times of change by providing a sense of direction and purpose to all members.

Question 8

If the company's purpose is _____, its purpose is based on being strong, aggressive, and effective.

Accepted Answer

Heroism is often associated with strength, aggression, and effectiveness, aligning with the description given.

Question 9

Diane heads an event management company called Venus Inc. The company encourages an innovative and creative approach to work. Diane plans to cocreate a vision. Which of the following steps should she apply to implement her plan?

Accepted Answer

In order to co-create a vision, Diane should involve her team in the process and target a vision for a desired future that everyone can contribute to. Option A is incorrect because a vision should not be solely the property of the leader, but rather a shared vision among the team. Option B is incorrect because creating a final vision without several drafts may limit the input and creativity of the team. Option D is incorrect because communicating the vision using a single channel may limit understanding and buy-in from the team.

Question 10

Which of the following statements is true of strategy?

Accepted Answer

Strategy involves making decisions every day based on what the organization wants to do and be, guiding actions towards achieving long-term goals.

Question 11

A good vision brings out the best in people by:

Accepted Answer

A good vision should inspire people to work towards a common goal that is bigger than themselves. When individuals feel as though they are part of something meaningful and impactful, they are more likely to be motivated and committed to making a difference. This sense of purpose can bring out the best in people, driving them to work harder and achieve more than they might have thought possible.

Question 12

Samuel heads a company that manufactures cell phones. He places emphasis on innovation and creation of new products and features rather than imitation of competitors' products. This instance shows that Samuel uses the _____ approach to frame the purpose of his organization.

Accepted Answer

The emphasis on innovation and creation of new products and features indicates that Samuel uses the discovery approach to frame the purpose of his organization. The discovery approach focuses on exploring new possibilities and creating new products, rather than relying on imitation of competitors' products. The excellence approach emphasizes achieving high standards of performance, the altruism approach focuses on making a positive impact on society, and the heroism approach centers on individual achievement and success.

Question 13

_____ can be defined as the general plan of action that describes resource allocation and other activities for dealing with the environment and helping the organization attain its goals and achieve the vision.

Accepted Answer

Strategy is the general plan of action that outlines how an organization will allocate resources and engage in activities to achieve its goals and vision. A noble purpose is a statement of the organization's underlying mission and values, while a mission is a more specific and concrete statement of the organization's purpose. A core value is a fundamental belief or principle that guides an organization's behavior and decision-making.

Question 14

Victoria heads an electronics corporation. She expects each employee to perform to his or her best and be successful. She wants to achieve production with zero quality control issues. Victoria uses the _____ approach to frame a noble purpose for her organization.

Accepted Answer

The excellence approach emphasizes achieving the highest standards of performance and quality, which aligns with Victoria's goal of achieving production with zero quality control issues. The other options (discovery, altruism, heroism) do not directly relate to her focus on performance and excellence.

Question 15

The purpose of _____ inspires people to see the adventure in their work and experience the joy of a pioneering or entrepreneurial spirit.

Accepted Answer

The purpose of discovery often involves exploration and new experiences, which can evoke a sense of adventure and excitement in people. This adventurous spirit can also be linked to a pioneering or entrepreneurial outlook, as individuals seek to discover new opportunities and possibilities. Therefore, discovery is the best choice for inspiring people to see the adventure in their work and experience the joy of a pioneering or entrepreneurial spirit. Altruism and excellence may be motivating factors, but they may not necessarily evoke the same sense of adventure and excitement as discovery. Heroism may be more focused on bravely facing challenges or obstacles, rather than seeking out new opportunities or experiences.

Question 16

Which of the following statements is true of mission?

Accepted Answer

Mission defines the fundamental purpose of a company and its core values, goals, and reason for being. It serves as a guide for decision-making and strategy formulation, and it represents the overall identity of the organization. While a vision is an aspirational statement about the future, the mission is more focused on the present and the company's fundamental reason for existing. The mission may evolve over time, but it should remain relatively stable and provide a sense of continuity and direction for the organization. Options A, B, and D are not true of mission.

Question 17

Companies with heroism as the basis of noble purpose often:

Accepted Answer

Companies with heroism as the basis of their noble purpose often reflect almost an obsession with winning, as heroism typically involves overcoming challenges or adversaries to achieve a significant goal.

Question 18

The basis of action for the purpose of altruism is to:

Accepted Answer

The basis of action for altruism is to increase personal happiness by helping others without any expectation of personal gain. Winning competitions, being the best, and finding/creating something new may also bring personal happiness but they are not the basis of altruistic actions.

Question 19

A change that both produces a high strategic impact and is easy to execute would be:

Accepted Answer

The answer of A change that both produces a high...

Question 20

In companies with excellence as a guiding purpose, _____.

Accepted Answer

Companies with excellence as a guiding purpose prioritize the value of their managers and employees as valuable resources. This is because they recognize that their workforce plays a critical role in achieving excellence in their products or services.

Quiz 13: Creating Vision and Strategic Direction