Crafting a Mission Statement - Why, What, and How

Mission statements are a way to communicate the heart and soul of your business. They show the principles and values that guide you. This can help motivate employees and customers. If you want to know how to write a good mission statement or want a refresher, keep listening! In this podcast, we will answer the question "why do you do what you do?" and walk through the steps of making a mission statement that perfectly represents your business.

There are many reasons why your business should have a Mission Statement. For example, a Mission Statement can help new employees understand your company culture, give customers confidence in your brand, and provide guidance when making decisions large and small. Additionally, crafting a Mission Statement is a great way to crystallise your thoughts on why you're in business and what you hope to achieve.

Now that we know why Mission Statements are essential let's discuss what goes into them. 

The best Mission Statements answer three key questions:

• Why do you do what you do? (What's your purpose?)
• What do you genuinely want for your customers? (What's your promise?)
• What kind of environment do you want for your employees? (What's your people philosophy?)

Answering these questions will give you a solid foundation for writing a Mission Statement that reflects your business perfectly. Keep listening for our top tips on how to craft each component of your Mission Statement so that it packs a punch!

• The first question, "why do you do what you do?" is about your purpose. This is your chance to share what motivates and inspires you and to talk about the difference you want to make in the world. When answering this question, think about what sets your business apart from others like it. What are your core values? What does your company stand for? Keep it short, sweet, and to the point- remember, you're trying to capture the essence of why your business exists in just a few sentences.
• The second question, "what do you genuinely want for your customers?" is about your promise. This is where you share what makes your products or services unique and what customers can expect when they do business with you. Keep your promise specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
• The third question, "what kind of environment do you want for your employees?" is about your people philosophy. This is your chance to share what it's like to work at your company and what kind of culture you're striving to create. Do you believe in treating employees like family? Or that the customer always comes first? Whatever your philosophy, make sure it comes through loud and clear in your Mission Statement.

Now that you know the three critical components of a Mission Statement, it's time to put them all together! 

For example, a Mission Statement for a software company might look something like this:

Our mission is to make life easier for busy people by creating simple, user-friendly products that save time and eliminate stress. We do this by valuing our customers and employees and treating them with care and respect.

Conclusion

There you have it- everything you need to write a Mission Statement that reflects your business perfectly! Keep these tips in mind as you sit down to craft your own, and don't be afraid to get creative. After all, your Mission Statement is an expression of who you are as