We make boring business stories sparkle.
What Is A Mission Statement: Crafting A Purposeful Guide For Your Business
Learn what is a mission statement and why it's important for your business. Discover the steps to create a purposeful guide that reflects your company's values and objectives.
As a business owner, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your company’s purpose and direction. This is where a mission statement comes in. A mission statement is a brief, concise, and comprehensive declaration of a company’s purpose, its core values, and its strategy for achieving its goals.
In this article, we will explain what is a mission statement and how you can craft a purposeful guide for your business.
What Is A Mission Statement
A mission statement is a written statement that describes a company’s purpose and values. It serves as a guide for decision-making, strategic planning, and communicating with stakeholders. A well-crafted mission statement should be brief, clear, and easily understood by everyone in the organization, from top-level executives to entry-level employees.
A mission statement should answer three essential questions:
- What does the company do?
- How does the company do it?
- Why does the company do it?
Why Do You Need A Mission Statement
A mission statement is an essential component of any successful business. It provides a clear understanding of your company’s purpose, goals, and values. Here are some of the benefits of having a well-crafted mission statement:
Establishes a Clear Purpose
A mission statement helps establish a clear and concise purpose for your business. It sets the direction and goals for the company and ensures that everyone in the organization is working towards a common objective.
Guides Decision-Making
A mission statement provides a framework for decision-making. It helps business owners and employees make decisions that align with the company’s purpose and values.
Communicates with Stakeholders
A mission statement communicates the company’s purpose and values to all stakeholders, including employees, customers, investors, and the public. It helps build trust and credibility with these groups.
Attracts and Retains Customers
A well-crafted mission statement can help attract and retain customers who share the same values as your business.
Motivates Employees
A mission statement can be an effective tool to motivate employees. It gives them a sense of purpose and direction, and helps them understand how their work contributes to the overall success of the company.
How To Write A Mission Statement
Crafting a mission statement can be challenging, but it’s a crucial part of developing a successful business strategy. Here are some steps to follow when writing a mission statement:
Step 1: Define Your Company’s Purpose
The first step in writing a mission statement is to define your company’s purpose. What does your company do, and why does it exist? Your mission statement should clearly define your company’s purpose in a few concise sentences.
Step 2: Identify Your Core Values
Your mission statement should reflect your company’s core values. What are the beliefs and principles that guide your company’s decisions and actions? Identify your core values and make sure they are reflected in your mission statement.
Step 3: Set Goals and Objectives
Your mission statement should also include your company’s goals and objectives. What are you trying to achieve, and how will you measure success? Make sure your goals and objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
Step 4: Make it Concise and Memorable
Your mission statement should be concise and easy to remember. Aim for a statement that is no more than two or three sentences long. Use simple language and avoid jargon.
Step 5: Get Feedback
Once you’ve drafted your mission statement, get feedback from others in your organization. Make sure that everyone in the company is on the same page and understands and agrees with the mission statement. You can also get feedback from customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders to ensure that your mission statement aligns with their expectations of your company.
Step 6: Review and Revise
Your mission statement is not set in stone. It should be reviewed regularly and revised as needed to reflect changes in your company’s goals, values, and objectives. Review your mission statement annually to ensure that it still accurately reflects your company’s purpose and direction.
Examples Of Great Mission Statements
Here are some examples of great mission statements from successful companies:
- Nike: “To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world.”
- Google: “To organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.”
- Coca-Cola: “To refresh the world in mind, body, and spirit. To inspire moments of optimism and happiness through our brands and actions.”
- Patagonia: “Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.”
FAQs: What Is A Mission Statement
Is a mission statement the same as a vision statement?
No, a mission statement and a vision statement are not the same things. A mission statement describes what a company does, while a vision statement describes where the company wants to be in the future.
Can a mission statement change over time?
Yes, a mission statement can change over time as the company’s goals, values, and objectives evolve.
Who should be involved in creating a mission statement?
Everyone in the company should be involved in creating a mission statement. The process should be collaborative, and input should be gathered from all levels of the organization.
How often should a mission statement be reviewed?
A mission statement should be reviewed annually to ensure that it still accurately reflects the company’s purpose and direction.
Can a mission statement help attract customers?
Yes, a well-crafted mission statement can help attract customers who share the same values as your business.
How long should a mission statement be?
A mission statement should be no more than two or three sentences long.
What Is A Mission Statement Conclusion
A mission statement is an essential tool for any successful business. It provides a clear understanding of your company’s purpose, values, and goals, and serves as a guide for decision-making, strategic planning, and communicating with stakeholders.
Crafting a mission statement can be challenging, but it’s an essential part of developing a successful business strategy. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a purposeful guide for your business that reflects your company’s values and objectives.
Explore More Content
Table of Content
