How To Write A Mission Statement
Missionstatements.com exists to help you write a good mission statement for your business or organization. We have a Mission Statement Tool Kit you can download for $5 here or see the Writing Services Page for help from a professional writer. Many examples of a good mission statement for businesses can be found in our library. See the links below to find sample mission statements in a category similar to yours. Writing a mission statement for an organization can be tough because it requires thoughtful analysis of what you do and why.
Writing a vision, mission, and values statement should be an exercise that is done at the board level – with some senior-level employees. This can be done in a retreat setting such as a conference room of a hotel or the back room of a restaurant. A mission statement is a short, meaningful phrase that summarizes the purpose that drives your business. Similar to your business’ vision (the “what”) and values (the “how”), your mission statement answers the question of why you do what you do. An effective Mission Statement supports your personal core values, spiritual gifts, strengths, and passion: Our mission will support how God made us. We are built for a mission to do something that only we can do. He created you for a purpose. An effective Mission Statement is short, clear and easy to recite. Avoid vague, unclear statements. Ultimately, your mission statement should be just the right length to get your point across, and it should be designed to be an internal document that tells how you inspire your team to achieve your company goals. The art of writing a purposeful mission statement is a valuable skill. Because they are internal documents, finding examples can be. A good mission statement is short, to the point and memorable. It’s like a tagline in advertising, something that sticks with a person when they hear or read it. In a true sense, the mission statement is an ad in that it identifies your company as one that a customer would want to work with or support.
How to create a mission statement begins with quick answers to the following questions:
- Why do we exist?
- What’s the goal of everything that we do as it relates to our community or industry?
- What geographic area do we serve?
- Goods or services that we create to meet this goal?
- What values guide us as we do business?
- What strategies do we use to meet our goals?
- What are the tangible results we hope to see as the result of our efforts?
- Specific responsibilities we have to the community, shareholders, employees, etc.?
Example of a mission statement:
American Financial Group, INC Mission Statement: Our purpose is to enable individuals and businesses to manage financial risk. We provide insurance products and services tailored to meet the specific and ever-changing financial risk exposures facing our customers. We build value for our investors through the strength of our customers’ satisfaction and by consistently producing superior operating results.
Get Professional Help Writing a Great Mission Statement
We are here at missionstatements.com to help you write a great mission statement, vision statement, or anything else you need help crafting to tell the world in words and images about your business or organization. Contact us here today.
See our writing and branding services and packages here.
Create a mission statement in three easy steps
A good business mission statement can be set up with a question that gets people to think about some problem you solve or value you add.
If the blank page is daunting, here are three steps that will help you get started. These steps are foundational to writing an “about us” and business plan as well.
One thought, one sentence
Grab yourself a handful of note cards and begin jotting down something about who you are, what you do, why you do it, and where you do it. Put one thought on each card and use only one sentence to describe the thought.
Key word brainstorm
Using notecards, a legal pad, or your computer brainstorm as many words as possible that you think describe what you do and that you think people might type into a search engine if looking for what you do.
Building blocks
Using your notecards and keyword brainstorm, begin typing or writing out descriptions of your businesses mission. Don’t hold back. Write as much as you can without stopping.
From there, go in and highlight the pieces that feel right. Cut and paste them into another section.
Keep going until you see the masterpiece begin to emerge.
See Hundreds of Mission Statements in Our Library
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is the world’s oldest and largest institutions devoted to prevention, patient care, research, and education in cancer. For over 120 years, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center has offered the best possible care for patients with cancer and has sought strategies to prevent, control and ultimately cure cancer in the future. Our continuing record of success in the laboratory and at the bedside attests to our position as one of the nation’s premier cancer centers.
Microsoft
Empower people through great software anytime, anyplace, and on any device.
Norfolk Southern
Be the safest, most customer-focused and successful transportation company in the world.
Get Professional Help Writing a Great Mission Statement
How To Write A Mission Statement For A Team
We are here at missionstatements.com to help you write a great mission statement, vision statement, or anything else you need help crafting to tell the world in words and images about your business or organization. Contact us here today.
See our writing and branding services and packages here.
New Year's Personal Mission Statement Special
How To Write A Mission Statement
Only 10% of people write down a personal mission. However, 90% of those that have a written personal mission statement live out their mission.