Writing a Mission Statement for Business or Project

Do you need to write a mission statement for your life, your business, your company, your school or a department?
A mission statement captures the essence of a company or business. It provides the most direct answer as to why a business exists.

Hence, writing a mission statement for yourself requires careful thought and planning. A good mission statement should contain some important aspects of the business. These include what the business can do to everyone involved in its activities.

By being involved in its activities, we mean what it holds for the customers/clients, what it holds for the workers or employees and also what it holds for the owners of the business.

Clearly defining these is very important to the business. Whenever the business or company loses sight of the objectives for which it was set, this mission statement acts as a guiding light to realign the actions of the actors towards producing a purpose driven approach which encourages growth and tangible results (desired).

Writing a mission statement is done with the aim of pointing the business towards its major goals (the reasons for why it was established).

Step by Step Guide to Writing a Mission Statement (Examples)

Being Unique (Business Specific)

When writing a mission statement, factor in the uniqueness of your business. There are all too many mission statements repeating most commonly used words from other mission statements. It is not surprising to find out a mission statement of a company A sounding or looking much similar to that of company B. This should not be.

Writing a mission statement requires careful reflection and introspection. This is to enable the business stand out from its competition.

For a business that lifts from other mission statements, without developing its unique mission statement, this business will eventually self destruct. A brainstorming session on what a business needs or its targets and goals should be carried out. It is advisable that the help of an expert should be sought, as the chances of developing a sound mission statement will be high. A good mission statement should contain the following;

What the Business Does (Its Products and Services)

Clearly stating what the business does is provided here. The activities of the business including its products and services and the uses for these products and services are provided here. When writing a mission statement, this section should be paid close attention to. During trying times, the information here can help a business or company shape up and refocus its attention on its ideals.

For example, for a business that manufactures cosmetics, this should be clearly stated, including how it benefits the customer. The entire process of writing a mission statement is geared towards fulfilling the needs of the customer while making profits for the owners of the business.

The Process of Doing What it Does

This encapsulates the way the business is done. Values are important here.

For instance, what is the business doing differently to gain an edge over its competitors? Are there corporate social responsibilities it provides for its host community? Does the business offer quality services and products?  How do these products and services measure up with that of the competition? How sustainable is the business over the long term?

These questions should be satisfactorily answered if the mission statement is to be sound.

The Why

The why is an important component in any business transaction. When writing a mission statement careful thought should be given to the reasons why the business is established in the first place.

The objectives of the business matters a lot. The drive and impetus fuelling the activities of the business will clarify the path whenever there is a shift from the core values for which the business was established. The mission statement gives a clearer vision of the business’ ideals.

The Advantages of the Business to the Customer

The customer/client is the reason for the existence of the business in the first place. Hence, it will do well to clearly state the benefits of the business to the client or customer.

Writing a good mission statement gives the business a clear chance of improving on its products and services with a view to attracting continued patronage, thereby leading to increased and better sales. A satisfied client is good for business.

Therefore, knowing the advantage the business brings to the customer increases the chances of growth.

What the Business Owner Stands to Gain

The entire business structure is arranged to benefit the owner(s). Hence, the business continues to exist because there is a likely benefit by way of profits. When writing a good mission statement, this is included to ensure that all the forces of production are channeled into providing the best services to clients which in turn handsomely rewards its owners.

Putting the Pieces Together

After taking the time to write the mission statement, it is time to put it into practice. Therefore, implementation alone will provide tangible results. The mission statement should be made public to patrons of the business as a way of giving the much needed confidence in the business.

Writing a mission statement is never complete without total implementation. Consequently, during the course of implementation, persons under the employ of the business should be guided by this mission statement.

SAMPLE MISSION STATEMENT TEMPLATE

Are you interested in how to write a mission statement for a nonprofit, a school or a hospital? What needs to be included in a mission statement? How do you create a mission statement? What is an organization’s mission statement?

Are you thinking of writing a mission statement for your business, but you don’t know how to go about it? Every business has a mission statement. Every organization needs a mission statement. It provides focus and direction for both the owner(s) and members of the organization.

A mission statement is usually a short statement that identifies an organization’s objectives, the kind of product/service the organization provides, and identifying the scope of its operations.

A mission statement captures the whole essence of your organization, and it is also the first statement people see when they check out your company, and the image that is portrayed on your mission statement is the perception they would have about your organization.

Your mission statement, vision statement, core values, and service standards provide a clear focus for all while keeping your team humble and hungry. It creates that family environment in which your employees enjoy coming to work and dealing with the challenges they face each day.

Your statement should talk about how your organization is special and different from the rest of the competitors. You can however study mission statements of your competitors and use it as a template to build your own.

If you want help toward writing a mission statement for your business, here are 3 steps you must take to write a mission statement for your company;

1. BRAINSTORMING

When brainstorming, there are a number of important questions that need to be answered. These questions help in shaping up the mission statement. The major questions that should be asked during the brainstorming session are:

· What Does your Company Do?

The answer to this question should be very clear in your mind. Think about what made you want to start your business in the first place.

· How Does your Company Provide the Service?

This does not mean you have to give a detail of all your work processes or procedures. This should be a general summary of how your company operates. This often involves the company’s core values or the practices that the company holds dearly.

· Why your Company Does What It Does?

The answer to this question should highlight the benefits the consumers of your services get to gain from your company. It can also show what effect or good the company offers to the immediate community and the world as a whole.

There is no need to be extravagant when answering these questions, remember the aim of the statement is not to show how good you are with words, but rather how best those words explain the essence of the company.

2. WORK UP THE STATEMENT

Seeing that the brainstorming session went well, and many ideas have started flowing in your head, you definitely cannot use the ideas that you have thought of. So, it is time to narrow the ideas down and pick the best out of them all.

Write a statement that puts all the answers to the questions asked in the brainstorming session into one sentence or two.

If you need help, kindly go online and observe top company’s mission statement that you like and see how you can craft your mission statement to look exciting too.

Do not copy any company’s mission statement no matter how enticing it might be to you. Remember that your business is unique and you are offering something different that no other have to offer.

Working up your statement also involves avoiding the use of general idealistic visions that do not have any strong or concrete foundation. Instead of saying something like “We want to be the best” explain what it means to be the best succinctly.

Using “we want to be the best” kind of statement does not have any concrete root, everyone wants to be the best. So, explaining a bit further will put heart and soul into the statement.

Also, don’t forget to allow your statement to be short and precise. Using too many words can make people get confused and defeat the purpose of the statement.

3. FINALIZE THE STATEMENT
Now that you have written the mission statement, show it to other members of your organization. Get a reality check from members of the organization. Do not publish it immediately because you are the boss.

Let them check it out to see if it adequately portrays the vision they have about the organization. If majority of them do not feel it portrays the vision of the organization or what they have in mind about the organization, then there is a problem. Ask them what they feel should be added or removed.

After that must have been done, it is now time to publish it. Place it on your organization’s website, business cards or even the front door of your company. If people seem to be confused about it, then it is better you go back to the drawing board and cook up a new one.

CONCLUSION

A mission statement is as important as your business plan, do not take it for granted. By taking the time to carefully write out your mission statement, you will definitely come out with a good one. Make sure the statement adequately portrays your organization’s ideas. As your organization grows make sure to always revisit the statement so that it doesn’t become outdated.

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