Building Mission A Statement For Your Organization
Building a mission statement for your organization. There are many ways to think about the mission of an enterprise, and there are many ways to state it. Some mission statements may be very inspirational statements of purpose; some may be more of a “slogan” that people print on a card and carry around in their wallets.
A sentence describing a company’s function, markets and competitive advantages; a short written statement of your business goals and philosophies. A mission statement defines what an organization is, why it exists, its reason for being.
An example of a mission statement using this formula might be: “We provide (action) retailers (customer) with a better (quality modifier) opportunity to achieve significant (quantity modifier) sales increases (product) consistently (quality modifier) through supplying expert guidance in merchandising that focuses customers on the highest margin products (through phrase).”
This statement may not inspire saints and martyrs to the cause, but it will help to develop a common understanding of what the organization does well and what specific opportunities it has in its change.
1. Define your purpose.
Ask yourself why your company is in existence. For example, you may offer services, identifying your service is a great starting point, along with defining for whom this service is for, how you plan to deliver it and why it’s valuable. Together, these elements communicate your purpose to consumers and team members.
2. Be specific.
Buzzwords and jargon are generally ineffective in a mission statement.
When your mission is hard to remember, it’s difficult for team members to align their daily activities with the goals outlined. Choose your words wisely and use terms that are easily understood and relevant to your business.
3. Inspire.
Although it is important to make your mission credible and attainable, it can also be powerful to include an inspirational element. This element can encourage your team members to work toward your vision. You might also find it useful to tie your mission statement to specific activities or behaviors, which can move it from the conceptual realm to the practical world.
4. Keep it concise.
Some of the biggest companies in the world devote full pages to their mission statements, but that may not be the ideal way to relay your enterprise’s particular message. When writing your mission statement, try to be as brief as possible. If it is too lengthy, trim it to sharpen your vision and delivery.
A good mission statement can surprise, inspire, and transform your business. They provide a clearly stated purpose of your business and the goals you have for succeeding. The best mission statements go hand-in-hand with corporate philosophy and culture and help guide a company from the present into the future.
About the Author
Dr. Jeff Evans
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