In the last decade or so, creating a mission statement has become an essential step for just about any organization or business, providing clear guidance and direction for where the company is headed.
This article will explore at a high level what a mission statement is and how it should be crafted.
So, what is a Mission Statement?
A proper mission statement defines the purpose and values of the company (although a specific values statement goes into more detail on a company’s values), providing employees with a shared understanding of its goals and objectives.
Mission statements are typically fairly short, at just a sentence or two. They take a very high-level approach to defining the company’s purpose, goals, and objectives. A mission statement is often aspirational, speaking of a future state for the company. For example, a tech startup may create a mission statement that discusses how it will lead the industry in some capacity. As a startup, the company doesn’t lead the industry in anything at the moment, but the mission statement provides a long-term goal that everyone at the company is striving for.
Benefits for Companies
Creating a mission statement helps businesses focus on their goals to make informed decisions consistent with their core beliefs. A well-written mission statement can provide guidance as companies grow and make day-to-day decisions. As leaders and team members make daily decisions, they can use the mission statement as a guide. Is that decision they are making in line with the overall mission of the company? If not, then they may want to rethink the strategy.
Mission statements provide clarity when developing strategies and deciding how best to allocate resources. Furthermore, by communicating their values openly through this document, businesses can attract customers with similar ideals and interests – creating loyalty among them.
A well-crafted mission statement also strengthens employee engagement by expressing why their work matters and how it contributes to the company’s success.
Writing Your Mission Statement
When writing your company’s mission statement, it’s essential to consider the unique value you or your organization offer its stakeholders. Think deeply about what motivates and inspires you and why you’re dedicated to this objective. Don’t be afraid to be aspirational, but at the same time, make it concrete. Otherwise, how will you know if you achieve it?
That example of ‘leading the (fill in the blank) industry’ is actually not a great mission statement on its own. You need to add some more definitive and measurable aspects to the statement if you want it to resonate. Otherwise, it just becomes words that don’t actually impact your company’s day-to-day operations.
Once you have identified these key points, craft them into a concise sentence or two that reflect your company’s ultimate purpose. The goal should be to create a memorable phrase that communicates who you are and why you exist in just one or two lines. Keep it short and sweet!
Creating a quality mission statement isn’t necessarily an easy task. Sometimes it will be obvious what your company is built for and a mission statement may come naturally. But, other times it may require a lot of thought and likely multiple drafts to get it just right.
Final Words
Crafting a mission statement is an essential step in the success of any business or organization. It should clearly and concisely define a company’s purpose, values, and goals. But, don’t do it ‘just because.’ Some companies create mission statements because they feel they are supposed to, but then the statement gets tossed in a drawer or just lives as a sign on the lobby wall that everyone stops noticing after a while.
A mission statement should provide employees with direction, help customers understand what the company stands for, and influence decision-making.
