Mission Statement Explained: How It Works and Examples

Introduction

Even while the goods and services offered for sale are what most people think of when they think of a business, this is not the only element that makes a company what it is. Having a single, overarching message that ties everything together is also extremely crucial. This kind of statement is referred to as a "mission statement," and it defines the reasons why a firm exists, as well as its purpose and its aims. Any organization's success or failure may be heavily influenced by its mission statement.

A mission statement should be motivating to workers and consumers while also being brief enough to include the organization's basic beliefs. It should express what sets this specific company apart from others in its field and offer guidance with respect to how it intends to attain the goals that it has established for itself.

However, distilling your company's mission and values into a line or two is a challenging task, despite the fact that the statement is just a few words long. And that's what we want to assist you in doing. In the following articles, we will demonstrate step-by-step how to carry out the aforementioned task.

What is Mission Statement?

A mission statement is a short explanation of what an organization is trying to do and how the products or services it offers help people. It could also include your basic beliefs, objectives, or values, all of which can serve to highlight what makes you special and what distinguishes your company from others.

You will be able to articulate the driving force behind your product or service if you take the time to compose a mission statement for your business. After that, you'll be able to include it in both the company proposal and the elevator pitch that you provide to potential investors.

In addition, a solid mission statement may serve as a light for the company's actions. To guarantee that everyone is working toward the same goals, the mission statement must become an integral part of your company's culture. Employees will have an easier time understanding the value of the work that they accomplish as a result of this.

Creating a mission statement might be useful for many different kinds of groups. Many successful individuals have embraced the habit of creating a mission statement to guide their careers, businesses, and investments. These kinds of personal mission statements often include not just the materialistic but also the spiritual, professional, and interpersonal aspects of one's life. This helps a person keep a good balance between work and life, which in turn helps them be more successful in each of these areas.

The Benefits of Having Mission Statements

There are several factors that contribute to the importance of a mission statement since it describes the whole business or project. A company's mission statement is critical in each and every aspect of the business, and it has a significant impact on the organization in the following major ways:

Talent Attraction

When it comes to finding the proper employment, many individuals turn to the mission statement of a firm to assist them in determining whether or not they want to apply for the position. A compelling mission statement may entice individuals who share the same values as the organization and provide prospective employees with a deeper grasp of those principles. It is very important for most firms to draft a mission statement that is both successful and relevant. This is because the mission statement communicates the company's purpose and objectives, which in turn helps differentiate the company from others in its industry.

Give Direction

Mission statements are a way for directing a company on the proper path, and they also play a role in assisting a company in making wise choices, which may be advantageous to the company's income stream. When it comes to making plans for the future, companies could have a difficult time if they do not have a mission statement.

Disadvantage of Mission Statement

Unrealistic

Mission statements, in the majority of instances, turn out to be too unrealistic and impractical. A mission statement that is not achievable may have a negative impact not only on productivity but also on the mood of the workers working in the company. This is due to the fact that an unrealistic mission statement would lower the possibility of workers being able to fulfill this level, which might demotivate employees in the long run. Mission statements that aren't realistic are also useless and can be seen as a waste of time by management. Another problem that could emerge as a result of having a mission statement that is too unrealistic is the possibility of making poor choices in an effort to achieve the desired outcome.

Waste of Time and Money

An organization's growth cannot begin unless a mission statement is drafted. This one-liner, which is simple and easy to keep in mind, has the potential to have a significant influence on the way in which consumers think of the firm as well as on the manner in which the company does its business internally. However, despite the fact that the mission statement could be brief and to the point, the creation of it might still need a significant amount of time and financial investment.

It is important not to underestimate the resources that are required to create an effective mission statement; firms need to do research into the values and preferences of their target audience while also taking into consideration their own aims and ambitions. It might take many weeks or months to properly craft a mission statement after considering all of these variables. When making a budget for the creation of such an important piece of communication, you should also think about the costs of outside consultants or market research.

How to Put Together an Effective Mission Statement

Be Brief

The work of writing a mission statement may seem difficult, but with the appropriate direction, you can create one that concisely and effectively conveys your objectives to others. Customers and clients will have an easier time comprehending what your company stands for if you keep it brief and keep things straightforward. In addition, having a mission statement that is straightforward to comprehend makes it much easier to use in advertising material such as business cards or brochures.

Find out who your Ideal Customers Are

Whenever you are establishing a mission statement for your company, it is essential that you keep your ideal customers in mind at all times. If you are able to identify your customer and have an understanding of their requirements, you will be able to craft messages that will more effectively reach and engage that audience. It is essential to have a solid understanding of one's target demographic in order to run a successful company since a successful firm understands the desires and requirements of its target audience.

Spend some time doing research on the kind of customer you want to attract if you aren't sure who your intended audience is. This will help you determine who your target audience is. When establishing a profile for your ideal consumer, it is important to take into consideration a variety of characteristics, including age group, gender, geographical location, hobbies, and more. After you have developed an accurate picture of this person or group of individuals, you should make sure that all of your marketing efforts center on them.

Be Realistic

Your company mission statement must remain practical and realistic. Even while it's good to have large goals and aspirations for your business, it's even more crucial to make sure that you don't exceed the scope of what your company is really capable of doing. Going above those boundaries might result in a lot of disappointment in the future and could put your morale into a tailspin. A mission statement should establish a direction for the company that is attainable and that can be understood by both the workers and the consumers of the company.

Try to avoid becoming too complicated or making overly ambitious promises that are unlikely to come true. It is in everyone's best interest to be truthful about what they are able to give right now rather than making a promise right off the bat that they may or may not be able to keep. In this manner, consumers will have realistic expectations about what they will get from dealing with you, which will prevent any unpleasant surprises further down the road when those expectations are not met. In addition, making absolutely sure your objectives are attainable can prevent you from experiencing any feelings of dissatisfaction in the event that you are unable to achieve them due to factors that are beyond your control.

Examples

LinkedIn

"To connect the world's professionals to make them more productive and successful."

When it comes to its mission statement, LinkedIn, which is a platform for professional networking, gets a lot of things right. It does an excellent job of encapsulating the essence of what the social media giant does, which is to connect professionals from all around the globe. The mission statement reads "Connecting the world's professionals to make them more productive and successful," which defines the site's function as a platform for individuals to develop relationships with one another, find employment opportunities, and establish themselves as leaders in their respective fields.

Professionals have the opportunity to improve their resumes, raise their profiles within their industries, and open doors for themselves that they may not have had in the past as a result of their participation in this strong network.

Google

"To organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful."

The primary objective of Google is to "organize the world's information and make it widely accessible and usable," as stated in the company's mission statement. In spite of the fact that it may seem to be an unachievable objective, Google has succeeded in collecting all of the knowledge in the world and making it accessible online. People are able to more simply and rapidly find the answers they are looking for thanks to Google's search engine, which the company makes available as part of its mission to spread knowledge and enable access to its large collection of information.

In addition to providing users with search results, Google attempts to give consumers a more individualized and customized experience that is unique to each user. Google makes use of sophisticated algorithms in order to accomplish this goal. These algorithms take into consideration the interests and preferences of individual users in order to provide resources that are relevant. No matter what sort of information consumers are looking for, they can expect extremely accurate results that are tailored particularly to their requirements.

The Walt Disney Company

"To entertain, inform and inspire people around the globe through the power of unparalleled storytelling, reflecting the iconic brands, creative minds, and innovative technologies that make ours the world's premier entertainment company."

The several sorts of operations that make up Disney's business are spelled out in the company's mission statement. The Walt Disney Company's mission statement expresses the company's fundamental beliefs and the values it seeks to instill in its staff. The statement is somewhat lengthy, but it has been carefully designed to make sure that each of the company's aims and values is expressed in an understandable manner. It starts by expressing Disney's dedication to providing its consumers with "the most inventive, high-quality entertainment experiences." The corporation offers a variety of forms of entertainment (such as Disney's theme parks and resorts, Pixar films), information (such as National Geographic documentaries), and inspiration (e.g., inspiring individuals and events through ESPN and other programs).

Additionally, it is stated in the mission statement that the firm intends to compete in the international market for items related to entertainment and information.

Tesla

"To accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy."

The mission statement of Tesla Motors is an energizing and thought-provoking reminder that contemporary companies should aspire to accomplish more than what is required of them compared to conventional organizations. The electric car manufacturer is demonstrating to the world what a 21st-century business strategy entails by emphasizing sustainability and customer service.

The mission statement for Tesla makes it very clear that the firm is committed to achieving the highest possible standards of performance in every facet of its business. It begins with a commitment to "accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy," which implies a great deal about their devotion to environmental responsibility and social consciousness. This demonstrates that they value environmental protection and want to lessen atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions from the use of fossil fuels. The rest of their mission statement is about making products that are easy to get, helpful, and innovative, as well as giving good customer service and keeping their promises.

In addition to a central emphasis on preserving the environment, Tesla's mission statement places a strong emphasis on the company's commitment to ensuring the customers' safety as well as their satisfaction with the products and services they purchase.

Microsoft

"Empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more"

Microsoft's mission statement is a perfect example of inclusion and dedication to serving everyone. Microsoft has accomplished something that no other company has been able to do: it has managed to develop a culture of diversity and inclusion that is unparalleled in the business world. This has been accomplished by making the commitment to provide everyone with access to innovation and opportunity. The company is dedicated to its workers in every way, from covering their healthcare costs and providing other perks to investing in educational opportunities for people all over the globe.

The company's mission statement expresses its commitment to empowering people of all backgrounds to realize their greatest potential by providing the necessary tools. In addition to this, the organization places a significant amount of emphasis on the promotion of sustainability, both in terms of the goods and services it offers and the ways in which it operates internally.

Workday

"To put people at the center of enterprise software."

This mission statement is unique for a number of reasons. It shows that Workday is an enterprise software company that wants to stand out from its competitors. Simultaneously, it examines the HR software sector as its whole, making the pointed conclusion that, unfortunately, even in the HR area, people are often put on the back burner. This is a strong mission statement that not only looks at the industry as a whole but also supports Workday's values.

Passionfruit

"To create inclusive clothing and accessories that enable you to show your pride all year round while giving back to our community"

The purpose of Passionfruit recognizes a reality shared by members of the LGBTQ+ community and its supporters. This mission statement is helpful because it supports the concept that pride is not a one-day event but rather a daily expression of oneself. This thought is valuable because it helps define what pride is.

In its mission statement, Passionfruit highlights the importance of clothes as a means of self-expression. It pledges to assist the community by giving back to the LGBTQ+ community and reminds consumers that the brand is aligned with the ideals of the LGBTQ+ community.

Ride Rich

"To breathe new life into the motorcycle streetwear scene. We are a brand that acknowledges those individual riders who ride for freedom, not for ego"

According to the company's mission statement, Ride Rich intends to shake things up in the motorcycle-riding community by challenging the status quo. This sentence captures a certain kind of rider, which is the "individuals who ride for freedom." This is a fantastic mission statement since it explains the way in which the company does its operations. Ride Rich is the brand for you if you're looking for imaginative streetwear that's inspired by many forms of art and music, as well as the experiences that regular riders have.

Additionally, this statement's unique wording is something to admire. In order to connect with its target audience and speak their language, Ride Rich employs phrases like "two-wheel therapy" and "keep it 100." In addition to this, it covers the many riding styles available so as not to exclude any particular groups. The last section of Ride Rich is finished on an upbeat note that is both energizing and motivating for prospective clients.

Lesson Summary

The mission statement conveys the core of an organization by describing its goal, guiding principles, and reason for being. It is a strong declaration of the organization's aims and guiding principles to the outside world and its own members. The mission statement is a highly personal and purposeful statement that represents its legitimacy to the rest of the world and its desired public image. However, it is of the utmost importance that the workers of a company understand the mission statement more than anyone else. This is because it is expected of them that they will be able to identify with and commit themselves to support the mission statement.

One of the most important aspects of strategic planning in businesses and other organizations is the formulation of a mission statement. Google, the Walt Disney Company, and Tesla Motor Company are all excellent examples of businesses that have clearly articulated their missions.

It is always a good idea for you to comprehend the mission statement of your firm, find a method to relate with it, and allow it to motivate you. Make it a point to check up the mission statement of your business, especially if you are not already familiar with it or if it has been quite some time since you last looked it over. This will allow you to get more connected with the work that is being done by your firm.