1.1. What is a vision statement?

The vision statement for USA Interactive is its strategic plan for the future – it defines what and where USA Interactive Company wants to be in the future. The vision statement for USA Interactive is a document identifying the goals of USA Interactive to facilitate its strategic, managerial, as well as general decision making processes.

1.2. Components of the vision statement

1.2.1. Concise

The vision statement of USA Interactive is brief and to the point. This means that the company has not used long dialects and dialogues to delivers its opinion ad stance to the public and relevant stakeholders. The vision statement should be brief and comprehensive – it should communicate the essence of the business, and its future plans to help the stakeholders understand its business philosophy and business strategy.

1.2.2. Encompassing description

The vision statement of USA Interactive should be brief but should be holistic in nature. This means that the visions statement should be complete in its description and information of what the company desires, and how it plans to achieve its long term goals strategically. The vision statement should be a comprehensive statement identifying the company’s core strengths, which would enable it to achieve its futuristic goals.

1.3. How to develop a vision statement

The company should identify the following t be able to guide its business decisions towards future success and progress to be able to develop a successful vision statement:

1.3.1. Look at the organizational history

• When did USA Interactive start the business?
• How many employees did the company have during the beginning?
• The significant milestones that USA Interactive has achieved since being started, and when were these milestones achieved?
• Include all positive and negative milestones that USA Interactive has faced, and how it overcame them?
• What does USA Interactive enjoy the most about its business and why?

These questions will help the management and key decision makers at USA Interactive to critically assess the history and the various decisions that were made for USA Interactive and the business. These will be critically reviewed for the positive o the negative consequences they brought, and how that influenced the general business direction or USA Interactive to have it stand in its present position.

1.3.2. Look at the present

• What is the business landscape for USA Interactive currently?
• How many employees does the business have currently?
• What is the unique value proposition offered by USA Interactive
• What are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats being faced by USA Interactive in the present?
• What is the financial strength of the company in the present?

These questions will help strategic managers and decision-makers identify the need of the business to progress, as well as identify the resources needed for advancement. In addition, these questions will also help USA Interactive in deciding the future direction it wants to take on, and how to achieve and realize that direction. Lastly, assessment of present standing for USA Interactive will help the business identify how it can improve the business with potential changes.

1.3.3. Look at the future of the organization

• What are the long term goals for USA Interactive?
• What are the short term goals for USA Interactive?
• How can the company improve its offerings?
• Which processes and ideas can be implemented to help the business gain higher effectivity and efficiency?
• What is the potential for growth for USA Interactive?
• What are the secondary goals of the business?

These questions will allow managers and decision makers for USA Interactive to clearly think about where they want the business to be in the future, and how this future and its goals can be achieved and realized.

1.3.4. Identify loopholes

The process of critically assessing the past, present and future of USA Interactive is important for vision building because:

• It allows identification of gaps and loopholes between the present an the future
• It directs USA Interactive towards filling those loopholes through correct resource allocation
• It helps idea generation for enhancing business performance
• It allows strategic decision making for fueling business growth

1.4. How to implement a vision statement

1.4.1. Gathering for a meeting and idea generation

• USA Interactive should gather all employees from different managerial levels in groups
• These groups should work towards generating ideas based on what the organization stands for, and what it offers
• The idea generation should be based on the employee's perception
• The ideas should also involve where the progression of the company should be focused on
• In addition, the employees should also focus their ideas on foreseeing a potential future for USA Interactive

1.4.2. Grouping similar ideas and developing drafts

• Similar ideas should be grouped
• Senior level employees should develop and compare descriptions for grouped ideas
• The grouped ideas should be categorized according to themes
• The thematic groupings should be prioritized with the organizational offerings and values
• Draft vision statements should be created based on high priority groups of ideas and descriptions

1.4.3. Evaluating the vision statement

• Visions statements should be evaluated on their criteria of matching with the organizational offering and potential
• The vision stamen should also reflect the work environment and business potential of USA Interactive
• The vision statement should be in line with the values of USA Interactive

1.4.4. Communication of vision statement

• The visions statement should be communicated to all relevant stakeholders of USA Interactive
• The visions statement should be incorporated in the annual statement
• The visions statement for USA Interactive should also be updated, and transparently be drafted within the organization
• The visions statement should be sued to guide the drafting of the mission statement

2. The mission statement of USA Interactive

2.1. What is a mission statement?

The mission statement for USA Interactive is a public document that details the values and strategic aims of USA Interactive. The mission statement of USA Interactive also identifies the purpose of the organization existence, highlighting the services and the products it offers. Further, the mission statement also identifies the organization’s operational goals for USA Interactive, the processes the company uses to achieve those, the target customer groups, and the region where the company operates.

2.2. Components of a mission statement

2.2.1. Customer satisfaction

The mission statement of USA Interactive focuses on addressing issues of customer satisfaction. The mission statement of USA Interactive has identified its target customer groups, and also identified their needs and demands. The mission statement reflects on how its products and services work towards increasing customer satisfaction for its target customers.

2.2.2. Based on core competencies

The mission statement of USA Interactive is based on its integral strengths and competencies. This is important for USA Interactive as the mission statement will highlight the different systems and processes as well as strategic tactics that the company uses to achieve its organizational and strategic goals. The achievement of the goals will depend on how well USA Interactive makes use of its core competencies.

2.2.3. Realistic and clear

The mission statement for USA Interactive is also realistic and clear. This means that USA Interactive has used simple, string, and easily understood words and phrases in the drafting of its mission statement. Clarity is important so that the mission statement is understood by all relevant stakeholders of USA Interactive Company. USA Interactive’s mission statement is also realistic, which makes it able to achieve various set goals and targets.

2.2.4. Motivational and inspirational

The mission statement of USA Interactive is motivational in that it works towards inspiring the employees and the workforce towards giving their optimal best performance towards the goal achievement of USA Interactive. The mission statement of USA Interactive is also inspirational in that it develops the need for growth and progress in individuals – for the betterment of not only the company but also for their own selves.

2.2.5. Specific and sharp

The mission statement of USA Interactive is precise and to the point. It is easy to understand and delivers what the audience must know about USA Interactive’s offerings and operations. It is important to keep the missions statement short, sharp and precise to be able to successfully communicate the company’s standing to stakeholders, instead of dragging it on into long pages with repetition and non-important aspects.

2.2.6. Reflects the company’s offerings

The mission statement of a company should be based on what the company has to offer in terms of products and services. This means that the mission statement for USA Interactive highlights its offerings, but ensures that this offering is in line with the values that the company stands for. The mission statement for USA Interactive, therefore, identifies the ethical grounds through which the company systematically works to deliver its offering.

2.3. How to develop a mission statement

It is important to follow the following steps and answer the following questions to be able to develop successful mission statements:

2.3.1. What does USA Interactive do?

• Define the purpose of USA Interactive
• Define its brief history
• Define the need for existence for USA Interactive

2.3.2. How does USA Interactive manage to achieve its promised offering?

• Explain the systems and operations employed at USA Interactive
• Identify relevant ethical policies in place at USA Interactive
• Highlight the use of transparency at USA Interactive in all matters
• Define the processes that USA Interactive uses to deliver its promised offering to target customer groups

2.3.3. For whom does USA Interactive produce offerings?

• Define target market customers for USA Interactive
• Target market customers from different regions can also be defined
• USA Interactive can also explore secondary target market groups, and define them in the mission statement

2.3.4. What value is USA Interactive adding on?

• Define the value additions being brought forward by USA Interactive in the customer’s life
• Define the purpose of the offerings being delivered by USA Interactive
• Highlight the importance of USA Interactive in the lives of its customers

2.4. How to implement the mission statement

2.4.1. Communication

• USA Interactive should communicate the mission statement to all stakeholders – employees, customers, shareholders, public, government etc.
• USA Interactive should also keep the mission statement transparent and accessible at all times

2.4.2. Training

• USA Interactive should encourage its employee force to undergo training if need be to meet the requirements of the mission statement
• USA Interactive should regularly hold workshops to refine the values being defined in the mission statement and build them in its employee force

2.4.3. Goal setting

• USA Interactive should develop SMART goals to meet the strategic targets identified in the mission statement
• USA Interactive should also develop ethical grounds to remain in line with the mission statement
• USA Interactive should keep goals flexible, but the means to achieve the goals should be stringent and should reflect the values drafted in the mission statement

3. Goals of USA Interactive

3.1. What are organizational goals

Organizational goals are those business and strategic objectives that define the purpose of USA Interactive. Organizational goals are strategic targets that USA Interactive wants to achieve over a period of time. This time period is generally long term. The goals of USA Interactive help direct its employee behaviour, as well as help in directing the operations of the business in the short term.

3.2. Components of goal

3.2.1. Achievable

The goals set by USA Interactive should be achievable. This means that USA Interactive should have the resources and the finances necessary for being able to realize the organizational goals over the long haul. USA Interactive should also have the strategic leadership to be able to achieve these organizational goals.

3.2.2. Time-frame defined

All goals set by USA Interactive- even for the long term – have an attached time frame. This is important to ensure that the organization is effective and efficient in realizing its goals.an attached time frame for the goals set for the long term future also helps in establishing a related time frame for the more short term organizational objectives.

3.2.3. Easy to understand

The goals should be fairly simple and should be easily understood by all employees of USA Interactive. This is important as only when employees are clear about what the goals are, their importance, and the urgency of achieving them will they be able to relate with them and work towards achieving them.

3.2.4. Easy to communicate

The goals set by USA Interactive should also be easy to communicate. This means that the jargon used for goal setting and goal communication should be clear and precise. These goals should be communicated with all managerial levels, and all employees to allow them a directive path to help the organization achieve these goals.

3.2.5. Pragmatic

The goals set by USA Interactive should also be realistic in nature. This means that all strategic goals defined by USA Interactive should take into consideration not only its internal financial position and resources but also the skill set of its employees and the larger macro environment. This will enable the company to set goals that will sue the core competencies of USA Interactive to help it achieve the strategic goals easily, and realistically.

3.2.6. Relation with job tasks

All goals should be relatable with the employees of USA Interactive. This means that all goals should directly or indirectly be tied to the job tasks and job nature of employees. This is to ensure that employees don’t feel redundant and use their skills to help the organization progress.

3.3. How to develop goals

3.3.1. Strategic evaluation

• Assess and review the vision statement
• Based on the vision statement and company values, decide where USA Interactive should be in the next five years

3.3.2. Brainstorming

• Brainstorm goals that will help USA Interactive achieve its long term direction
• Group goals according to themes
• Cluster the goals, and briefly describe each group and cluster
• Set long term goals for the company according to different clusters and groups

3.3.3. Prioritization

• Prioritize different clusters and groups
• Set and define long term goals based on prioritization
• Prioritization should be based on how soon the different defined goal groups and clusters will help USA Interactive progress and achieve its desired position in the next five years or so to develop a successful vision statement

3.4. How to implement goals

3.4.1. Communication

• Communicate the goals to all managerial levels
• Goals should also be communicated to all relevant stakeholders – including distributors, shareholders, third-party contractors etc.
• Goals may also be communicated to customers
• Communication of goals will help USA Interactive achieve goals by defining roles and milestones needed for achievement

3.4.2. Periodic strategic evaluation

• Evaluate the progress of goal attainment periodically
• This evaluation is done at a strategic level and operational level
• Different goals should be set for different departments of USA Interactive to help it achieve the broader long term goals
• These departmental goals help in directing operations towards the larger strategic goal attainment

3.4.3. Training

• Employee training to develop skills needed and necessary for goal attainment
• Training can be in-house or out-house for employees
• Training for USA Interactive should be continual and should be consistent with the goals set

4. Objectives of USA Interactive

4.1. What are organizational objectives

Organizational objectives for USA Interactive are the short to medium term targets and goals that the organization sets to achieve the bigger strategic goals set for the long term. The organizational objectives are important in shaping resource allocation within USA Interactive as well as in determining the policies, schedules and processes that are implemented in USA Interactive.

4.2. Components of objectives

4.2.1. Specific

All objectives set by USA Interactive are specific and clear. This helps employees, as well as managers, manage and maintain focus on the targets and the end results that need to be achieved. At the same time, specific objectives help managers determine skill development and training needs within their departments as well.

4.2.2. Measurable

Objectives at USA Interactive are also measurable. This means that all objectives can be tracked for progress. This is important for USA Interactive as it helps in meeting deadlines. The element of measurability is added in objectives by adding quantifiable criteria for determining progress and objective achievement.

4.2.3. Attainable

The goal should be attainable that even in stretching the abilities of the employees and challenging them, it should remain possible to achieve. The objectives at USA Interactive are attainable in that they push the employees out of their comfort zones but remain possible to achieve.

4.2.4. Realistic

Objectives at USA Interactive are also attainable in that they are realistic. This means that USA Interactive sets objectives keeping in view the organizational resources and constraints to be able to achieve objectives effectively and within time.

4.2.5. Timely

Objectives at USA Interactive are also time-bound in that they have a specified start and finish date. The timeliness of the objective helps USA Interactive maintain a sense of urgency in employees, and keep them motivated towards achieving the objective.

4.3. How to develop objectives

4.3.1. Focus on overall strategy

• Objectives should focus on the broader organizational strategy
• This will facilitate the organization in keeping in view the broader purpose and at the same time work towards achieving quantifiable goals and objectives
• By keeping in view strategic focus, USA Interactive also maintains proximity with the vision of the organization and works towards enhancing the performance of the organization

4.3.2. Focus on goal

• Objectives at USA Interactive should be set keeping in view the set organizational goals
• Objectives at USA Interactive should flow from the organizational goals, and work towards helping the company and its departments and operations achieving the set goals
• This is important as it keeps objectives strategically relevant to the organizational processes and systems

4.3.3. Focus on the time frame and skill sets available

• Objectives at USA Interactive should focus on the time constraints present in terms of resource present, as well as the urgency of the organization and the industry
• Objectives at USA Interactive should also focus on the skillset of employee and organizational resources available
• Focus on resources and skills is important to ensure that all objectives are attainable
• Focus and relevance with resources and skills will also help USA Interactive identify gaps that it needs to fill through training

4.4. How to implement objectives

4.4.1. Communication

• Objectives at USA Interactive should be discussed with employees mutually
• Purpose of the set objectives should be clearly discussed, and communicated with the employees
• This discussion should entail not only the objective, but also the time period within which it is expected to be completed, and the processes and means to achieve it
• Objectives should also include aspects of personal and individual growth and development of employees to make sure that employees remain motivated throughout

4.4.2. Performance appraisal

• The performance appraisal at USA Interactive helps managers and supervisors keep track of objective achievement and employee performance
• The performance appraisal also helps keep the objectives time bound through regular reviews and discussions
• The performance appraisal also helps identify skills development aspects that employees need and helps the managers develop suitable and needful strategic training programs for skill development and skill improvement