7 Steps to Writing a Mission Statement
Every organisation whether it be a Fortune 500 company, or a sole proprietor, should
have a mission statement. A mission statement defines your reason for being in
business. It should encompass your core business objectives, the values of your
organisation, and your purpose. Below are some tips and examples to help you write
a winning mission statement.
Tips
1. A good way to start is by answering the question “Why am I in business?” or
“What purpose does my business serve?” The answer to this will go a long way
in writing your mission, and should be more than “To make money”. Making money
will be a byproduct of your business operations aligning with your mission.
2. Keep it short and sweet. By keeping to a succinct format you will force yourself
to put in your mission statement on those things that truly matter to your business.
Five to seven sentences should be the maximum.
3. Ask yourself what values you and your organisation have, and how are they
integrated into your work. Are you a company that prides itself in being eco-friendly?
Perhaps faith plays a big part in your value system? The dovetailing of your purpose
and your values will create a much stronger mission statement.
4. Keep in mind you are writing this not only for yourself, but your employees
and your customers. If part of your mission statement is to treat every customer
like they were the first customer, then you should make sure your mission is shared
with your customers in some way. Likewise for any mention to how your company
values its employees, all of your employees should see and know your mission
statement.
5. Use the “Front page of the newspaper” rule. Whatever you put in your mission
statement you should believe in enough to have it printed on the front page of the
newspaper, and be proud of it.
6. A mission statement is no place for slang or jargon, keep it business
professional.
7. Lastly, write a mission statement that really resonates with you and your
employees. Don’t just write words on a paper that sound good in a sentence. Your
mission statement are the rules, beliefs, and attitudes that you will live by on a daily
basis, so make it genuine.
Keep In Mind:
Your mission statement is setting the long term objectives and strategies that will
guide your business for many years to come. You should write your mission
statement in such a way it will not have to be revised for quite some time.
Adapted from http://smallbizbee.com/index/2008/10/24/writing-mission-statement/
Be sure to share your mission statement with key stakeholders. This could be
employees, customers, vendors, suppliers, or anyone you do business with. Get
their feedback and adjust as necessary.
To be really effective your mission statement should be woven into your corporate
culture. Everywhere you go, and anyone your company touches, should see and feel
your mission in action.
Examples

Establish Starbucks as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world
while maintaining our uncompromising principles as we grow. (Starbucks)

To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world. If you have a
body, you are an athlete. (Nike)

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II
and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh.
Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its awardwinning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional
applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its
iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has
entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone. (Apple)

Atira Women’s Resource Society is a community-based organisation that
supports all women, and their children, who are experiencing the impact of
violence committed against them and/or their children. Through education,
advocacy and outreach, Atira is an active voice in the struggle to end violence
against women and their children. Our feminist-based philosophy informs all
our work with ourselves, each other and the community.
(http://www.atira.bc.ca/mission-statement)

To be the catalyst in communities of customers, contributors, and partners
creating better technology the open source way. (www.redhat.com)

Since 1974, Hon Hai / Foxconn had always been guided by three Foxconnian
visions;
Through the most efficient "Total Cost Advantages" to make comfort of
electronic products usage an attainable reality for all mankind;
Through the proprietary one-stop shopping vertical integrated eCMMS model
to revolutionize the conventional inefficient electronics outsourcing model;
Through the devotion to greater social harmony and higher ethical standards
to achieve a win-win model for all stakeholders including shareholders,
employees, community and management.
(http://www.foxconn.com/GroupProfile_En/BusinessPhilosophy.html)

Our mission state is simple, yet the foundation of everything we do here at
Virgin Atlantic Airways...to embrace the human spirit and let it fly.
(http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/footer/about-us.html)
Adapted from http://smallbizbee.com/index/2008/10/24/writing-mission-statement/