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Vivid Vision: A Remarkable Tool for Aligning Your Business Around a Shared Vision of The
Many corporations have slick, flashy mission statements that ultimately do little to motivate employees and less to impress customers, investors, and partners.
But there is a way to share your excitement for the future of your company in a clear, compelling, and powerful way and entrepreneur and business growth expert Cameron Herold can show you how.
Vivid Vision is a revolutionary tool that will help owners, CEOs, and senior managers create inspirational, detailed, and actionable three-year mission statements for their companies. In this easy-to-follow guide, Herold walks organization leaders through the simple steps to creating their own Vivid Vision, from brainstorming to sharing the ideas to using the document to drive progress in the years to come.
By focusing on mapping out how you see your company looking and feeling in every category of business, without getting bogged down by data and numbers, Vivid Vision creates a holistic road map to success that will get all of your teammates passionate about the big picture.
Your company is your dream, one that you want to share with your staff, clients, and stakeholders. Vivid Vision is the tool you need to make that dream a reality.
But there is a way to share your excitement for the future of your company in a clear, compelling, and powerful way and entrepreneur and business growth expert Cameron Herold can show you how.
Vivid Vision is a revolutionary tool that will help owners, CEOs, and senior managers create inspirational, detailed, and actionable three-year mission statements for their companies. In this easy-to-follow guide, Herold walks organization leaders through the simple steps to creating their own Vivid Vision, from brainstorming to sharing the ideas to using the document to drive progress in the years to come.
By focusing on mapping out how you see your company looking and feeling in every category of business, without getting bogged down by data and numbers, Vivid Vision creates a holistic road map to success that will get all of your teammates passionate about the big picture.
Your company is your dream, one that you want to share with your staff, clients, and stakeholders. Vivid Vision is the tool you need to make that dream a reality.
172 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2019
559 people are currently reading
2442 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
May 20, 2019
I requested this book from the library after reading Herold's Meetings Suck, which I received as part of a work group I'm in. Both books are fairly common sensical and very concise, under 200 pages for each. This might be why I like them: minimal yammer BS, less room for "if you hired my company as a consultant..." waste. Vivid Visions are briefly discussed in the Meetings book as one of the upper-end meeting types, the opposite of the 30 minute or 1 hour check-up. Brainstorm the big 3 year view, then reverse engineer backwards to get all the way back to your daily tasks.
Giving this one 3 stars because while I grabbed a lot of good quotes and ideas from this book, I don't feel that I have a more specific view (heh) of this process than I did reading the 1-2 paragraph summary version from the other title. The last two chapters weren't even about business but applying these principles to your personal life: he's not at all wrong, but that's not what I'm here for. It was helpful to see some examples included, but I would have liked a little more flesh on the brainstorming process to document process, and a bit more about the office dynamic of rolling this out. (Or maybe I'm just salty because I'd rather see a vision plan that calls for input from the team, rather than "oh, y'all can have this idea wall of miscellania...")
I'm also still a bit of a skeptic. "Make no small plans" is the underlying message of Vivid Visions, and I'm thinking of a specific situation on our campus that absolutely fits (tripling our graduation rate within 3 years)... but damn, it also is a bit discouraging rather than inspiring to have such an out-there target that it seems humanly impossible in the time allotted. (And I know that's recognized -- there's definitely a bit of "shoot for the moon" allowed, and that's mirrored here when he acknowledges that even if your vision isn't fulfilled in the allotted time, that doesn't mean you weren't better engaging employees and clients in the meantime.)
I feel conflicted because I feel simultaneously I got lots of little tidbits and practical foods-for-though, yet my overall takeaway still feels shallow (again, compared to my understanding based on the other blurb). Let's say 3.5 stars and I should probably round to 4 and have done with it, because I appreciate a professional book that doesn't waste my time. And yes, a lot of it will sound very familiar: "make no small plans," SMART goals, get them to why... are all ideas in evidence here. As I said, common sensical, but delivered in a tidy package.
And if you haven't read Meetings Suck at all, good news! (Though read that one, too, actually.)
Giving this one 3 stars because while I grabbed a lot of good quotes and ideas from this book, I don't feel that I have a more specific view (heh) of this process than I did reading the 1-2 paragraph summary version from the other title. The last two chapters weren't even about business but applying these principles to your personal life: he's not at all wrong, but that's not what I'm here for. It was helpful to see some examples included, but I would have liked a little more flesh on the brainstorming process to document process, and a bit more about the office dynamic of rolling this out. (Or maybe I'm just salty because I'd rather see a vision plan that calls for input from the team, rather than "oh, y'all can have this idea wall of miscellania...")
I'm also still a bit of a skeptic. "Make no small plans" is the underlying message of Vivid Visions, and I'm thinking of a specific situation on our campus that absolutely fits (tripling our graduation rate within 3 years)... but damn, it also is a bit discouraging rather than inspiring to have such an out-there target that it seems humanly impossible in the time allotted. (And I know that's recognized -- there's definitely a bit of "shoot for the moon" allowed, and that's mirrored here when he acknowledges that even if your vision isn't fulfilled in the allotted time, that doesn't mean you weren't better engaging employees and clients in the meantime.)
I feel conflicted because I feel simultaneously I got lots of little tidbits and practical foods-for-though, yet my overall takeaway still feels shallow (again, compared to my understanding based on the other blurb). Let's say 3.5 stars and I should probably round to 4 and have done with it, because I appreciate a professional book that doesn't waste my time. And yes, a lot of it will sound very familiar: "make no small plans," SMART goals, get them to why... are all ideas in evidence here. As I said, common sensical, but delivered in a tidy package.
And if you haven't read Meetings Suck at all, good news! (Though read that one, too, actually.)
November 2, 2021
A great concept for building a 3 year plan for your business. The book itself does not tell you how to write a vivid vision, just generalizes how often you should write it and who you need to share it with. The author promotes using a copywriter, which I found a little odd since this is a very personal practice. I felt that I learned more about it by listening to a podcast where he is promoting the book (look up BiggerPockets episode where they have the host read his plan and implementation). Good thing is it's a short and easy read.
June 26, 2024
It has a little bit of that “written by an American while on a holiday in Hawaii with the help of his virtual assistant in Asia” vibe, but the general idea is sound. I like that it’s not stretched into a 300-page self help book, it gets the point across and also provides real examples, which is great.
Disclaimer: I read this on the beach while on a holiday in Sicily.
Disclaimer: I read this on the beach while on a holiday in Sicily.
June 28, 2020
Very good! It has changed the way I think about planning for business and I shall definitely refer to it when forming business plans in future.
January 1, 2026
Not mind blowing. Basically dream big, set goals 3 years out, and only then figure out how to make it happen. lost credibility by referencing Elon Musk repeatedly.
November 30, 2019
The concept is a good one and fairly basic: a vision for your business is more inspiring if it's fully fleshed out. Herold wants you to take your vision and imagine what all parts of your business will look like in three years.
Two things I liked about it:
First, It's a useful exercise for entrepreneurs and CEOs to document where they want to be with their business. As Herold says a few times, if you don't know where you want to go, you're not likely to get there.
Second, I agree with Herold that a vision statement is not enough. Too many companies come up with catchy vision statements that leave far too much to interpretation. What exactly are you driving for? If you achieve your vision, what will the company look like in three years?
Two things I didn't like:
First, Herold claims that his multi-page vivid vision will be more motivational for employees than a mission or vision statement. In my work with companies, the longer a vision is, the less likely employees are to remember it, let alone be motivated by it. While it's true that employees will likely find something in a vivid vision to inspire them, they will need a summarizing statement - a vision statement - to remind them of the larger goal. Herold even admits in the book that he forgot part of his own vivid vision. If that's the case, how can he possibly expect employees to remember all of it?
Second, as I said above, this is a useful exercise for entrepreneurs and CEOs. I said that because, according to Herold, it's only for them. To create a vivid vision, the CEO goes off on his own to create the vision and the rest of the team only participates when it's communicated to them. Some people like that approach. If you think the vision is only for the CEO or owner, you'll like Vivid Vision. If you want broader participation in developing a vision, you might want to try Find Your Why by Simon Sinek.
But I agree with the overall message of the book - a vivid vision is indispensable for leaders of a business.
Two things I liked about it:
First, It's a useful exercise for entrepreneurs and CEOs to document where they want to be with their business. As Herold says a few times, if you don't know where you want to go, you're not likely to get there.
Second, I agree with Herold that a vision statement is not enough. Too many companies come up with catchy vision statements that leave far too much to interpretation. What exactly are you driving for? If you achieve your vision, what will the company look like in three years?
Two things I didn't like:
First, Herold claims that his multi-page vivid vision will be more motivational for employees than a mission or vision statement. In my work with companies, the longer a vision is, the less likely employees are to remember it, let alone be motivated by it. While it's true that employees will likely find something in a vivid vision to inspire them, they will need a summarizing statement - a vision statement - to remind them of the larger goal. Herold even admits in the book that he forgot part of his own vivid vision. If that's the case, how can he possibly expect employees to remember all of it?
Second, as I said above, this is a useful exercise for entrepreneurs and CEOs. I said that because, according to Herold, it's only for them. To create a vivid vision, the CEO goes off on his own to create the vision and the rest of the team only participates when it's communicated to them. Some people like that approach. If you think the vision is only for the CEO or owner, you'll like Vivid Vision. If you want broader participation in developing a vision, you might want to try Find Your Why by Simon Sinek.
But I agree with the overall message of the book - a vivid vision is indispensable for leaders of a business.
April 7, 2025
Great book on goals. I already set yearly goals and some of the things Cameron talks about I have seen success from. The layout of how to make effective goals is very helpful.
January 7, 2023
A nice goal planning book.
———
You want the lowest worker to act with the same intuition as the CEO.
Align and inspire your employees then let them run.
Make sure the workers know their value, purpose, and meaning in the world and in your company.
Clearly spell out your goals and chart your course so you don’t get off the path.
When people buy a service or product they’re also entering into a relationship. They want a company they can trust to back their goods. They also want a company that’s going somewhere.
Precise goals let you know how you should act in the moment. The goal is in mind and then you can ask yourself, “Should I do this thing. Does it align with my goals?”
5 Fs: Faith, family, friends, fitness, finance
you want to attract and repel people
Be revolutionary not evolutionary
It’s ok to loose people
Run your operations like the blue angels: every operation is precise.
———
You want the lowest worker to act with the same intuition as the CEO.
Align and inspire your employees then let them run.
Make sure the workers know their value, purpose, and meaning in the world and in your company.
Clearly spell out your goals and chart your course so you don’t get off the path.
When people buy a service or product they’re also entering into a relationship. They want a company they can trust to back their goods. They also want a company that’s going somewhere.
Precise goals let you know how you should act in the moment. The goal is in mind and then you can ask yourself, “Should I do this thing. Does it align with my goals?”
5 Fs: Faith, family, friends, fitness, finance
you want to attract and repel people
Be revolutionary not evolutionary
It’s ok to loose people
Run your operations like the blue angels: every operation is precise.
April 16, 2021
This is a great book! It goes along with Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." I've learned to abandon the typical mission statement that is so often encouraged in business and establish a "Vivid Vision." To do this, I write out what my vision is for myself personally, or for my family or business. This is a 3-year vision that includes really big goals. This vision is shared with others to help ensure success and get the pertinent people on the speeding train with you. It is also meant to repel those who cannot support your vision.
It's a very short read, so give it a try if you're thinking about personal goal setting, building a successful company, or planning your career. You won't regret it.
It's a very short read, so give it a try if you're thinking about personal goal setting, building a successful company, or planning your career. You won't regret it.
January 17, 2022
Solid quick read on the process of setting a clear vision for your company or personal life set three years in the future to communicate to your internal and external partners, as well as self motivation.
A little light on what to include in your vivid vision, though there are some examples, with more attention paid to how to set yourself up to create one, general purposes, and then the communication and onboarding of your organization and partners to your vision.
Very good to couple with other entrepreneur / business books like the EOS system, with the knowledge this is specifically for setting a vision for the organization set three years in the future, which is a solid timeline to do so.
A little light on what to include in your vivid vision, though there are some examples, with more attention paid to how to set yourself up to create one, general purposes, and then the communication and onboarding of your organization and partners to your vision.
Very good to couple with other entrepreneur / business books like the EOS system, with the knowledge this is specifically for setting a vision for the organization set three years in the future, which is a solid timeline to do so.
September 26, 2021
I'm not a big nonfiction reader, but I made it one of my goals to read one nonfiction book every month. I'm so glad I chose this one to read. I heard recommendations for it while listening to the bigger pockets podcast and now I see why it inspired so many people.
Last month I read The 10x Rule and the author came across as a huge arrogant jerk to say the least. Cameron isn't like that all, based on the way he writes. He gives off the vibes that he's a genuine, hardworking, family-oriented, and nice person. Hes relatable, likeable, and respectable. He definitely inspired me and I can't wait to get started on my Vivid Vision.
Last month I read The 10x Rule and the author came across as a huge arrogant jerk to say the least. Cameron isn't like that all, based on the way he writes. He gives off the vibes that he's a genuine, hardworking, family-oriented, and nice person. Hes relatable, likeable, and respectable. He definitely inspired me and I can't wait to get started on my Vivid Vision.
June 12, 2022
Amazing book and motivation tool for yourself and the people you lead.
Key concepts / takeaways for me (in both personal and management contexts):
- The ideal timeframe for setting a vision is 3 years (the book explains in detail why);
- Set a very elaborate vision, down to the last detail (how will your office look and feel like, how big will your marketing department be, what will your company have achieved, etc.);
- Regularly recite the vision and review progress towards it.
In the context of management:
- Putting together a vision is on you, it's not a democratic process;
- Let your subordinates figure out how to achieve the vision.
Highly recommended!
Key concepts / takeaways for me (in both personal and management contexts):
- The ideal timeframe for setting a vision is 3 years (the book explains in detail why);
- Set a very elaborate vision, down to the last detail (how will your office look and feel like, how big will your marketing department be, what will your company have achieved, etc.);
- Regularly recite the vision and review progress towards it.
In the context of management:
- Putting together a vision is on you, it's not a democratic process;
- Let your subordinates figure out how to achieve the vision.
Highly recommended!
October 8, 2019
This was an inspiring book. I had to listen to several chapters before I was ready to tackle creating my own Vivid Vision, but I did it. Then I shared my Vivid Vision with more than a dozen people.
The author tells us what a Vivid Vision is, shows us his as an example, and goes through various applications of how it can help us make massive forward progress--whether you're doing a Personal Vivid Vision, or creating a Vivid Vision for your company. Mine was a bit of both since I'm an entrepreneur.
Very helpful and I recommend.
The author tells us what a Vivid Vision is, shows us his as an example, and goes through various applications of how it can help us make massive forward progress--whether you're doing a Personal Vivid Vision, or creating a Vivid Vision for your company. Mine was a bit of both since I'm an entrepreneur.
Very helpful and I recommend.
April 15, 2020
Derivative Drivel
I cannot believe how bad this book is. I’m so angry I paid money for this. Cameron Herold writes a book with no original ideas. He stands on the shoulders of giants like Jim Collins and adds nothing to the conversation.
This book isn’t helpful in the least. He sure asks the readers to trust him a great deal. It would be helpful if he had something tangible to back up these claims (maybe... actual research). There are significantly better books on vision out there. This one is nearly worthless.
I cannot believe how bad this book is. I’m so angry I paid money for this. Cameron Herold writes a book with no original ideas. He stands on the shoulders of giants like Jim Collins and adds nothing to the conversation.
This book isn’t helpful in the least. He sure asks the readers to trust him a great deal. It would be helpful if he had something tangible to back up these claims (maybe... actual research). There are significantly better books on vision out there. This one is nearly worthless.
March 13, 2022
Listened to the audiobook one a Sunday while painting my trim work. Either this guy is discussing what his vivid vision is in each category and chapter or he is so full of himself he just wants to tell us how great his company is….I couldn’t quite figure it out. Lots of REI peeps had recommended this book and you can sum its content up in one sentence….come up with a vision statement on your own (not with other people’s input), make it as detailed as humanly possible, then make it a three year commitment to strive after it.
Done. The book was disappointing.
Done. The book was disappointing.
Read
May 27, 2024When you know where you are going you can make decision and apply them
Vivid vision is about leaning into the future
3 years is the perfect balance
Mind map each part of business on a piece of paper
Every area of company
Must be grand enough to inspire team
What do I hate doing? What can other people do for me?
Say what others are thinking but not saying
If everybody likes it then nobody will LOVE it
Should be magnetizing and repelling
Post people’s own goals on the wall s
Get people to focus on who you are becoming
Vivid vision is about leaning into the future
3 years is the perfect balance
Mind map each part of business on a piece of paper
Every area of company
Must be grand enough to inspire team
What do I hate doing? What can other people do for me?
Say what others are thinking but not saying
If everybody likes it then nobody will LOVE it
Should be magnetizing and repelling
Post people’s own goals on the wall s
Get people to focus on who you are becoming
June 10, 2018
Say It to See It
The house illustration is meaningful.
I appreciated the professional and personal perspectives.
I realized toward the end that I have been doing something like this with my daily declarations.
These are simply statements of where you feel you are to focus attention.
I highly recommend this book.
Most people could read it in less than 2 hours.
I bought it for $3.99! Very good investment.
The house illustration is meaningful.
I appreciated the professional and personal perspectives.
I realized toward the end that I have been doing something like this with my daily declarations.
These are simply statements of where you feel you are to focus attention.
I highly recommend this book.
Most people could read it in less than 2 hours.
I bought it for $3.99! Very good investment.
April 15, 2019
Excellent Book, gives you the strategy to build yours or your company's vivid vision.
This is quite practical book, the book used strategies like 'using the blocks of time', 'disconnect and mind-map', 'unplug after certain amount of time and again start', 'building vision into the small programs', 'Where to go and where not to go'.
Wonderful & worth reading!!
This is quite practical book, the book used strategies like 'using the blocks of time', 'disconnect and mind-map', 'unplug after certain amount of time and again start', 'building vision into the small programs', 'Where to go and where not to go'.
Wonderful & worth reading!!
April 15, 2021
There were some good big picture ideas in the book, however I’m giving this book 3 stars because I had expectations that he would give a stronger how-to explanation on how to structure the vision aside from the advise to spend 4 hours day dreaming. I got just as much from the podcast I originally heard the author on than the book itself.
April 19, 2021
I liked how tangible the advice in this book was. It was easy to apply the visioning process to some of my real-world work and personal life, even as I was still reading it. I'd recommend it to anyone who is living their busy life and not intentionally thinking about the future he or she wants to create for themself. (This is me!)
September 30, 2021
Great book for setting a vision now for the future. Setting a vision allows for not only you, but others to see what your goals are and how they can be part of them. While this book speaks mostly about business, this concept SHOULD be applied to your life. Creating a Vivid Vision will create clarity in your life and purpose. I highly recommend it.
January 16, 2022
inspiring
This book has given me the insight on how important a BHAG is. It’s step by step ideas and instruction makes it something you want to go out and do. He explains the importance of dreaming big, sharing your vision and a 3 yeAr timeline. For the business as well as your own life. I cannot wait to have my own vivid vision on a vision board.
This book has given me the insight on how important a BHAG is. It’s step by step ideas and instruction makes it something you want to go out and do. He explains the importance of dreaming big, sharing your vision and a 3 yeAr timeline. For the business as well as your own life. I cannot wait to have my own vivid vision on a vision board.
January 2, 2023
From Herold's book, I learned that an effective vivid vision is more than a one or two sentence vision statement. Throughout the years, I have been taught and believed that a vision statement must be short, sweet, and succinct. Herold's approach dispels that myth.
Consequently, I am heading to the coffee shop this week and mind map my vivid vision.
Consequently, I am heading to the coffee shop this week and mind map my vivid vision.
June 15, 2023
I appreciated how practical and straight to the point this book was. Lots to take away and have a go at. I found at times the narrative flip flopped back and forth to concepts that had been mentioned before which was a little repetitive. I also found the structure with vivid vision examples plugged in along the way a bit overwhelming.
November 30, 2024
while I am not a business owner, someone recommended that book to me to look closer at my plans.
I do Miro boards with lots of stupid things, I do have a bucket list I almost left intact for now (nothing to cross out).
and I won't lose much if I try this approach.
the chapter on personal stuff is quite good, gonna try it out.
I do Miro boards with lots of stupid things, I do have a bucket list I almost left intact for now (nothing to cross out).
and I won't lose much if I try this approach.
the chapter on personal stuff is quite good, gonna try it out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2019
Quick, straightforward read. Great for company planning or family vision casting. Read it at the start of the new year and am inspired to get my personal and professional vivid vision statements together.
October 21, 2019
A reoccurring theme in business and self help books is visualizing and focusing on what you want. This book gives you more or less an action plan to easily follow and achieve your goals. I do recommend this book to anyone that wants more in life
December 17, 2019
There really wasn't much new in this book. The concepts are good and if you haven't read as many books as I have on vision and mission statements, you might find it useful. About the only real take away for me is to dream bigger for the three year plan
April 26, 2020
I feel this book is very simple and basic. I rated with three stars because the concept is powerful, but it doesn't offer useful guidance or framework to develop a vivid vision. I feel the examples are generic and I hoped more.
August 24, 2020
Simple bu effective
It’s not exactly a new idea to have a documented vision for the future of your business but this book unpacks the detail and explains very well how to build a vivid vision. I’m going to start on my own VV straightway!
It’s not exactly a new idea to have a documented vision for the future of your business but this book unpacks the detail and explains very well how to build a vivid vision. I’m going to start on my own VV straightway!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews