Drawing on an analysis of internal and external constraints, firms create a mission and vision as a cornerstone of their strategy. This exercise will look at some of the challenges associated with creating a shared direction for the firm.

Part One

The instructor will break the class into a set of small teams. Half of the teams will be given an “A” designation, and the other half assigned as “B.” Each individual team will need to plan a time outside class to complete Part 2; the exercise should take about half an hour. Teams given the A designation will meet in a face-to-face setting. Each team member will need paper and a pen or pencil. Your meeting location should be free from distraction. The location should have enough space so that no person can see another’s notepad. Teams given the B designation will meet electronically. You may choose to meet through text messaging or IM. Be sure to confirm everyone’s contact information and meeting time beforehand.

Part Two

Each team member prepares a drawing of a real structure. It can be a famous building, a monument, museum, or even your dorm. Do not tell other team members what you drew. 

Randomly select one team member. The goal is for everyone else to prepare a drawing as similar to the selected team member as possible. That person is not allowed to show his or her drawing to the rest of the team. The rest of the group can ask questions about the drawing, but only ones that can be answered “yes” or ”no.” After 10 minutes, have everyone compare their drawings. If you are meeting electronically, describe your drawings, and save them for the next time your team meets face to face. Next, select a second team member and repeat this process again.

Part Three

In class, discuss the following questions:

• How easy (or hard) was it for you to figure out the “vision” of your team members?
• Did you learn anything in the first iteration that made the second drawing more successful?
• What similarities might you find between this exercise and the challenge of sharing a vision among company employees?
• How did the communication structure affect your process and outcomes?