By Eva Long of Long On Books
• A mission statement announces to the world at large why your company exists.
• A good mission statement helps everyone in the company make the right decisions.
• A great mission statement helps your company define its direction and stay on track.
• A mission statement tells potential customers what your company does, what sets you apart and most importantly, why you do it.
• Customers hire companies with whom they find a connection. A mission statement tells potential customers what your company does, what sets you apart and most importantly, why you do it. • • Your mission statement provides the guardrails you need to stay on track. When you set goals, you should be able to ask yourself, “Do these goals align with my mission?” If yes, you’re probably headed in a good direction.
Mission vs Vision vs Core Values Mission Statement
A brief statement of the organization’s fundamental purpose:
Why we exist + How we achieve it Vision Statement A bold and ambitious statement of the organization’s desired future state.
It answers the question: Where do we want to go?”.
(time frame + desired future state + how to achieve it.)
Core Values A few included in Mission Statement
A few included in Vision Statement Can be a separate document
A Mission Statement is can also be defined as “a long awkward sentence that demonstrates management’s inability to think clearly.”
“Our solutions to global challenges are driven by our mission to drive prosperity through transport and infrastructure solutions, and our vision to be the most desired and successful transport and infrastructure solution provider in the world. Our aspirations guide us on our journey and ensure that we are on the right track.” ~ Volvo
Just the basics:
“My company” • Sells shoes • Provides educational services • Grows market vegetables • Designs phone apps • Provides financial advice • Sells woman’s clothing • Provides pet sitting services
"To create a shopping experience that pleases our customers; a workplace that creates opportunities and a great working environment for our associates; and a business that achieves financial success.”
"To create a shopping experience that pleases our customers; a workplace that creates opportunities and a great working environment for our associates; and a business that achieves financial success.” ~ Albertsons
Description of how your company operates.
A good place to include one of more of the core values that are important to express in your business: • Provide high product quality • Provide superior customer service • Protect the quality of the environment • Ensure equal access to resources • Encourage innovation/creativity • Practice sustainable development
My company's purpose is to: • Sell shoes of the highest quality • Provide educational services that allow all children to experience learning success. • Grow market vegetables using organic, sustainable farming practices. One more step....
• ...so that all children can experience learning success and become life-long learners and contributing members of our community. • ...to give people safe and healthy food choices. Describe your spark—the passion behind your business. Why does your business do what it does? • ...so every customer can find a pair of shoes they actually love to wear.
“[My company's] purpose is to grow market vegetables using organic, sustainable farming practices to give people safe and healthy food choices. With a little polish: “At Earth's Bounty, we grow market vegetables in a way that's good for the earth and good for the table."
"Our company's purpose is to provide educational services that allow all children to experience learning success and become life-long learners and contributing members of our community." With a little polish: "Our company, Hopscotch Learning, exists to provide educational services that allow all children to experience success in learning and success in life."
• directs your business planning • front and center in the minds of everyone who works in or interacts with your business • contains the themes of your advertising campaigns • make sure your mission statement is highly visible on your business premises, website, and all your marketing materials.
Tesla “....To accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.” LinkedIn “....To connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful.” Nike “Bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world.* * If you have a body, you are an athlete.”
Patagonia “....Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis. Squarespace makes beautiful products to help people with creative ideas succeed.
A good mission statement isn’t just a slogan; it’s the foundation of your operations manual—with familiarity, it provides guidance to the people who work for you. It’s a reminder to you why you show up for business every day. Keep it alive.
For Mission Statement Clarity & Polish Long On Books Long On Books provides unique, customized publishing services and resources that fuel the power of our clients’ stories.
