Mission Statements - Convey a Professional Image Nearly every company and business has a Mission Statement. But Mission Statements can be very difficult to write - they should short, clear, vivid, inspiring and concise without using jargon, complicated words or concepts. Mission Statements are generally included in documents such as Strategic Planning reports, Business Plans, Staff Handbooks and on Company websites. Mission Statements can be described as a cross between a company or corporate slogan, or tagline, and an executive summary! Highly successful Mission Statements are both memorable and engaging. They are also extremely important to strategic Planning and the future success of the business. A combination of both a company's mission and vision of the future may be included in a Mission Statement. Click a link on the left menu bar for access to famous examples and samples of Mission Statements or the link below to discover how to write a Mission Statement.
Mission Statements are also extremely important to strategic Planning and the on-going success of the business. A combination of both a company's mission and vision of the future may be included in a business statement.
Mission Statements vs Vision Statements What is the difference between Mission and Mission Statements?
Definition of a Mission Statement A good definition for a Mission Statement is a sentence or short paragraph which is written by a company or business which reflects its core purpose, identity, values and main business aims. A Mission is defined as 'Purpose, reason for being'. Simple definition: "Who we are and what we do".
Definition of a Vision Statement The definition of a Vision Statement is a sentence or short paragraph providing a broad, inspirational image of the future. A Vision statement is defined as 'An Image of the future we seek to create'.
The Purpose of a Mission Statement The basic purpose of a mission statement is to define the function of a business and the measures of the company's success. It should make a reference to the customers, the products and the services that are provided. Many also include the geographical location in which the business operates - it could be global or a local description.
Mission Statements Mission Statements contain important information about a company - in a nutshell. Don't make it too 'wordy', don't use jargon and keep the message as short and friendly as possible. It should include what the company does, its products, its services and its customers. These types of Statements focus on today, what's happening now. The successes and innovations, the great achievements. The message is important to all the staff in the company. Everyone needs to 'buy in' to the message, it's extremely important to get the staff involved.
Mission Statements and Strategic Planning Emphasizing the importance of a mission statement to employees clarifies the purpose and main, measurable objectives of the business. Businesses often encapsulate their goals and objectives into a Mission statement. However, the message and focus of the company often changes over time. They are short term messages which are changed about every three years. The process of strategic planning appraises the full potential of a business or company and clearly links the goals and objectives of the business or organization to the actions and resources required to achieve them. Strategic plans may therefore involve changing the mission statement to reflect a new direction of the organization. This might be due to new ideas and innovations, new technology, changes in the market, new risks posed by the competition. Highlighting the benefits of any changes will help staff and the customers buy into the change. Strategic planning is part of a business's process of determining its current direction, analyzing risks, assessing ideas and resources and making decisions to follow their strategies. Strategic planning usually deals with at least one of three key questions:
Strategic Planning
"What do we do?"
Strategic Planning
Quality Planning Communication Consultation Strategy Competition Change Responsibility
"Who do we do it for?"
"How do we excel?"
How long are Mission Statements? A good Mission statement is a sentence or short paragraph consisting of two to four sentences. They are usually reviewed every three to five years, or when a specific goal has been achieved.
Who are Mission Statements written for? They are written for customers, employees of corporations, suppliers, the media and the shareholders. Every opportunity should be taken to publish the message. Personal statements are written for prospective employees to reflect the achievements, successes and values of a person. A Personal statement might also be used when applying for membership of an organisation.
Examples of Famous Mission Statements The following are samples and examples of statements used by famous companies - can you identify which company created which?
"We will prepare and sell quick service food to fulfil our guest's needs more accurately, quickly, courteously, and in a cleaner environment than our competitors. We will conduct all our business affairs ethically, and with the best employees in the mid-south. We will continue to grow profitably and responsibly, and provide career advancement opportunities for every willing member of our organization."
"To make the world's information universally accessible and useful"
"To experience the joy of advancing and applying technology for the benefit of the public"
"To build a place where people can come to find and discover anything they might want to buy online."
"To enhance and integrate our supplier diversity programs into all of our procurement practices and to be an advocate for minority- and women-owned businesses."
"To produce high-quality, low cost, easy to use products that incorporate high technology for the individual. We are proving that high technology does not have to be intimidating for non-computer experts."
"To be the consumer's first choice for food, delivering products of outstanding quality and great service at a competitive cost through working faster, simpler, and together."
Mission Statements
How to Write Mission Statements
Samples and Examples of Mission Statements
Easy techniques for writing a Statement
Strategic Planning
Improve your skills - Content, Ideas and Format
Difference between Mission & Vision Statement
Mission Statements vs Vision Statements
Strategic Planning - Examples - Samples
How to Write Mission Statements - Watch the Video! We have provided a short video on a simple step-by-step guide on writing effective Mission Statements.
How to Write Mission Statements - Watch the Video!
How to Write Mission Statements Watch the Video!
Writing a report or business plan? Need to find out how to write Mission Statements? Our Samples and Examples Help! Our video provides a good example of how to complete this undertaking. The short video is designed to provide some inspiration to approaching this important business task. Save yourself some time and look at the example for help and inspiration.
