LA - Your Mission – Should You
Choose To Accept It
Goal: Students will understand the language used in a mission statement and
write a mission statement for their company.
Objectives: Students will…
• Define key terms.
• Understand that organizations use a mission statement to provide
direction for all of their business operations.
• Improve writing skills to be more concise.
• Understand the importance of word choice.
Materials (for a class of 32):
• 32 copies of Your Mission – Should You Choose To Accept It Student
Sheet
• 32 copies of Your Mission – Should You Choose To Accept It Mission
Statements
Time Required: 45–60 minute class period
Standards Met: LA3, LA5, LA6, LA11, LA12, E2
Green Chemistry Principles Addressed: 1–12
Procedure:
PREP
• Make copies of Your Mission – Should You Choose To Accept It Student
Sheet and Your Mission – Should You Choose To Accept It Mission
Statement
• Write Post-it® Notes example on the board: “3M – To solve unsolved
problems innovatively"
IN CLASS
• Explain to the students that when you intend to start a business, you
need a clear plan which begins with a mission statement.
• EXAMPLE: Direct students’ attention to the 3M mission statement you
have written on the board.
• Ask how many of the students use Post-it® Notes. Explain that Post-it®
Notes were invented by a company called 3M because NASA was looking
for a product that would stick to surfaces indefinitely and still be easy to
peel off. One 3M engineer spent quite a bit of time getting 3M to market
this product commercially. Do you think his motivation was partly driven
by this mission statement?
• Explain to students that all big companies like 3M have mission
statements so that they are clear about their purpose to ensure success
and to direct the way the company conducts itself.
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Explain the difference between a slogan and a mission statement. A
slogan is a phrase that companies use to identify and sell their product.
Example: McDonald’s slogan in their advertising is (ask students): “I’m
lovin’ it”
This is a phrase that helps them to sell their products. Ask students if
they can think of any other slogans that help sell a product. Make a list
on the board.
Now explain that a mission statement is something that is used by the
people who work inside a company to define what their company will do,
what their goals are, and how they will do business. Example:
McDonalds’ mission statement is:
“McDonald's vision is to be the world's best quick service restaurant
experience. Being the best means providing outstanding quality, service,
cleanliness, and value, so that we make every customer in every
restaurant smile.”
Explain that a mission statement is a written, easy-to-remember
sentence, short list of bullet points, or paragraph illustrating a business'
goals and purpose. It has one common function: to guide you and your
employees in making critical decisions that effect the direction
of your company.
Explain to students that different companies have different types of
mission statements; some are long and some are short. They are going
to see some more examples, and then they are going to write their own
mission statement for their crayon company.
Hand out the Your Mission – Should You Choose To Accept It Student
Sheet.
Direct students in pairs to match the mission statement to the company
by drawing a straight line from the company column to the mission
statement column. Advise students to read all of the mission statements
and all of the possible companies first.
Have students share their answers and point out the differing styles as
you go.
Explain to students that now it is their turn to write a mission statement
for their crayon company.
Have students move and sit with their company group.
Hand out the Your Mission – Should You Choose To Accept It Mission
Statement.
Circulate around the room as groups complete their mission statements.
Assessment:
• Completed Your Mission – Should You Choose To Accept It Student
Sheet and Your Mission – Should You Choose To Accept It Mission
Statement
• Participation in class activity
Your Mission – Should You
Choose To Accept It
Student Sheet
Name:
Date:
MISSION STATEMENT
To make people happy.
The ________ company exists to benefit and
refresh everyone it touches.
To give ordinary folk the chance to buy the
same thing as rich people.
To bring inspiration and innovation to every
athlete in the world. If you have a body you are
an athlete.
To make, distribute & sell the finest quality all
natural ice cream & euphoric concoctions with
a continued commitment to incorporating
wholesome, natural ingredients and promoting
business practices that respect the Earth and
the Environment.
________________ is dedicated to protecting the
environmental rights of all people, including
future generations. Among these rights are
clean air, clean water, healthy food and
flourishing ecosystems.
We exist to thrill customers, define and lead
multi-branding, enrich stakeholders, and build
powerful brands.
Exceptional people on a mission to be the best
pizza delivery company in the world utilizing
the companies guiding principles.
______________ will create superior brand
loyalty, i.e. "raving fans", through (a) authentic,
superior-quality products, (b) legendary
customer service and (c) exceptional
community service.
_______________ stores feature fashionable,
quality footwear and accessories for women,
men and children at affordable prices in a selfselection format.
The mission of the ______________________ is to
protect human health and the environment.
Establish ______ as the premier purveyor of the
finest coffee in the world while maintaining our
uncompromising principles as we grow.
COMPANY
Nike
Environmental Defense Fund
Domino’s Pizza
Environmental Protection Agency
Baskin Robbins
Coca-Cola
Papa John’s
Disney
Starbucks
Wal-Mart
Ben & Jerry’s
Payless ShoeSource
Your Mission – Should You
Choose To Accept It
Teacher Key
MISSION STATEMENT
To make people happy. Disney
The ________ company exists to benefit and
refresh everyone it touches. Coca-Cola
To give ordinary folk the chance to buy the
same thing as rich people. Wal-Mart
To bring inspiration and innovation to every
athlete in the world. If you have a body you
are an athlete. Nike
To make, distribute & sell the finest quality all
natural ice cream & euphoric concoctions
with a continued commitment to
incorporating wholesome, natural ingredients
and promoting business practices that respect
the Earth and the Environment. Ben &
Jerry’s
________________ is dedicated to protecting the
environmental rights of all people, including
future generations. Among these rights are
clean air, clean water, healthy food and
flourishing ecosystems. Environmental
Defense Fund
We exist to thrill customers, define and lead
multi-branding, enrich stakeholders, and
build powerful brands. Baskin Robbins
Exceptional people on a mission to be the best
pizza delivery company in the world utilizing
the companies guiding principles. Domino’s
Pizza
______________ will create superior brand
loyalty, i.e. "raving fans", through (a)
authentic, superior-quality products, (b)
legendary customer service and (c) exceptional
community service. Papa John’s
COMPANY
Nike
Environmental Defense Fund
Domino’s Pizza
Environmental Protection Agency
Baskin Robbins
Coca-Cola
Papa John’s
Disney
Starbucks
_______________stores feature fashionable,
quality footwear and accessories for women,
men and children at affordable prices in a
self-selection format. Payless ShoeSource
Wal-Mart
The mission of the ______________________ is to
protect human health and the environment.
Ben & Jerry’s
EPA
Establish______ as the premier purveyor of the
finest coffee in the world while maintaining
our uncompromising principles as we grow.
Starbucks
Payless ShoeSource
Your Mission-Should You
Choose To Accept It
Mission Statement
Congratulations! You have been approved for a new business loan. With your
group, you can start up your own crayon manufacturing business. Eventually,
you will be able to buy and sell crayons. HAVE FUN!!
How should we write a mission statement?
Here are some basic guidelines in writing a mission statement:
1. A mission statement should say who your company is, what you do,
what you stand for, and why you do it.
2. An effective mission statement must be developed with input from all of
the members of an organization.
3. The best mission statements tend to be three to four sentences long. You
may use bullets or plain sentences.
4. Consider other company's mission statements, but make certain your
statement is about you and not some other company.
5. Make sure you actually believe in your mission statement; if you don't,
it's a lie, and your customers will soon realize it
Now it is time to write your own mission statement for your crayon company.
Follow the prompts, and then use your answers to create a final mission
statement.
1. List five to ten words or phrases that describe your business. Highlight
the three most important.
2. List three to five words or phrases that describe the company's ideal
image from a customer's point-of-view.
3. List three to five words or phrases that describe the market opportunities
and/or customer needs that your company intends to address.
4. With your customers in mind, list each service or product your business
will provide.
5. List three to five measures of your business' success.
6. Now you have come up with some key phrases and words to describe the
mission of your company, you may write your finished mission statement
below using all of your thoughts from above.