The Purpose of a Company Mission Statement

Point 2.d.1

When you think of a Mission Statement what do you think of? Is it just one of those things you are supposed to have such as a business license or a fish on the wall to show you are a real company? The majority of employee personalities out there are followers and they want direction. All too often, we find managers and owners who just can’t seem to figure out why their employees can’t see the big picture and act accordingly. Many owners are visionaries and believe their employees should be able to tell what they should do, how they should act and understand the vision of the company without telling them what it is. When there is no order or vision in a business, chaos reigns; you have multiple visions from managers and employees running your company, which are based on a number of varied visions that seldom coincide with each other.

A mission statement gives direction to the work ethic, attitude, commitment and goals of the company. Unfortunately, companies have misused mission statements, brandishing them only for an ostentatious display to customers. You should have them in front of the employees, drilling into their minds the importance of that document as a banner stating the purpose for your existence and what makes your company excellent. The cry of management should be, “This is who we are and we shall not vary from its principles.”

A lackadaisical attitude toward a mission statement is the same as not having one. There is great synergy created by getting employees to rally around a purpose and principle. It means having a purpose for belonging instead of just having a job. When you can get your company to stand behind a mission statement they agree with or believe, your customers will know and feel your mission without having to stick it in front of their faces.