Importance of Writing a Mission Statement
Writing a DIY mission statement can seem difficult and can seemingly add to the stress of running your business. But, by using the following 3 easy steps, writing your DIY mission statement will be just the opposite. One of the perks of writing a mission statement is that it serves to align all components of your business. That’s a mighty tall order and running a business is difficult. There are so many parts and pieces to consider. I, like most business owners, try to make the simplest things so hard. That’s why I’m breaking down how to write a mission statement into 3 easy steps by using a DIY system.
Why Write a Mission Statement?
Yes, I know, you are just a “little” business, or you don’t have any employees, or you only run an online business or you feel you have it under control when you make business decisions. If you don’t have a mission statement for your business, no matter the size, type, revenue, for profit or non-profit, I assure you at some point control will go out the window without a mission statement.
Three Whys
A mission statement 1) helps identify what purpose your business will fill for your customer or clients’ life. It will convey what you hope to accomplish in a simple and concise way. A mission statement is theoretically the heart and backbone of your business.
Simon Sinek said in his TED Talk titled, “How Great Leaders Inspire Action” that, “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” Why you do what you do and what drives you every day is the basis of your mission statement. So, do you know your why? Do you know what drives you each and every day to move forward? This, my friend, is the basis of your mission statement.
2) Writing a mission statement helps bring clarity to your business and all you do in that business. The statement helps you navigate those difficult business decisions faster with more in-depth strategy that aligns with what you do in your business. It helps you focus your energy to the right places.
The third reason for writing a compelling statement is that it is an important tool for helping your employees work toward the business goals. It makes sure not only your employees are aligned with the values you have created for your business, but also your clients and vendors are aligned with your values. In other words, a strong compelling statement attracts the right people to work for you and with you.
It all Begins with a Mission Statement
Finally, your mission statement guides your goals and vision for your company. The statement will stop confusion about who you and your company is, what you do or products your company offers, how you offer the services or products or how customers find you/your company, and why someone would want what you offer. So, see, it doesn’t matter the type, size, or business model, it all begins with the mission statement.
It’s All InYour Head–Your Mission Statement That Is
Every day when you get up and begin your business day, your mission statement is there whether you have formally put it in writing. It is your Why! Without this one important “why” in your innermost being, you wouldn’t be a business owner, a doer. It’s why you get up and do the business thing each and every day whether brick-and-mortar, online, consulting, etc.
You are the front page of your business, so to speak and you define your company’s culture, ethics, and goals. A well written statement will allow you to step back when things go awry and will remind you of your why. See, you see, it has been there all the time, right there in your head, in your thoughts all the time. All you need to do is DIY your mission statement in 3 easy steps and get it front and center.
Examples of Mission Statements
- Chick-fil-A “To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A. (There is not one thing in there about to cook the best chicken we can, to quickly serve customers with a smile, and all in a clean facility.) But they powerfully convey all that in their mission statement.
- Starbucks “To inspire and nurture the human spirit–one person, one cup and neighborhood at a time.” (Think about the almighty cup of coffee and all it holds for humankind)
- Youtube “To give everyone a voice and show them the world” (It empowers everyone to “speak” out in whatever language or way they want).
- Facebook “To give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together” (And it does do those things if you are aligned with their values and provides a platform in which those across the world are “right next door”, so to speak)
The key to all the examples above is that they each “speak” to the right person for their business and bring those customers or users into their business with just a few short sentences. But, the power of those few short sentences! Each sentence is well crafted and critically thought out to project the company’s values, ethics, goals, vision, strategic plan, and purpose. You immediately know why “they” get up in the morning and do the grind. That’s what I want for you and your business–for you to know your purpose in your business.
3 Easy Steps to a Dynamic Mission Statement
First of all, ask yourself the important questions of:
- What do I do?
- How do I do it?
- Whom do I do it for?
- What values am I bringing to the table?
Once these are answered, you almost have your mission statement written. Second, be sure to address your company culture in your mission statement since your company values truly matters. It helps your employees and perspective customers connect with your business.
Finally, look at your statement to make sure you answered all the questions, let someone else read it to make sure someone reading it would understand your business. It is a great opportunity to even get your team’s input as part of a staff development or team meeting. Everyone in your company should own it, live it, believe it.
Sounds Easy, But A Formula Would Help
Think of your mission statement as an AID to others and use this formula to get started: My Company A (action) to help I (ideal customer) do D (desired result).
Ex., I teach entrepreneurs to build their business website.
Jazz it up with some well-placed adjectives, adverbs and action words and you will have a workable mission statement. To (adjective that’s a company value) (noun-who), we/I (adverb) (what your company does) by (action), (action), and (action). Or even simpler: AID (action) to help (ideal customer) do (desired result).
Ex., I patiently teach non-techy entrepreneurs how to build their business website using my cost effective, non-biased methods that respect all learning modalities to create a user-friendly no hassle website.
I would love to build a website with this person! He/she aptly told us they are patient; they respect the way I learn; are non-biased; respects my finances; are non-judgmental of people who don’t know a darn thing about building a website; and even shared his/her values. (who, what, why and how)
Mission Statement Closing Suggestions
Start your statement with the value you provide and the good you do as a business. This lets your clients/customers know what makes your business special and sets you apart from other businesses.
Make your statement present tense since it’s something you use every day. Therefore, your statement is a living document. Equally important, you should avoid weak words such as try, attempt, do my best. Moreover, edit your statement and then edit again to cut down on wordiness. Lastly, proudly post your mission statement in a prominent place. It will remind you and your staff to focus on your mission and will guide everything you do in your business.
Need more guidance? Since I have opted to NOT use sales funnels in my business. No one really likes to go into a funnel, now do they? I simply offer insightful business items, forms, ebooks, workbooks in my Etsy shop that you can access through a simple click. The following link will lead to a workbook that you may purchase for more guidance. No pesky sales funnels…easy and manageable. Click on this link to my shop for my 3 Steps to Writing a Dynamic Mission Statement workbook. It also includes a page suitable for framing that you can type your dynamic mission statement onto, print, frame and hang to keep you focused.
