"The best Leader is one who knows how to pick good people to do what he or she wants done and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it." - Heidi Richards -
Mission statements describe the purpose of an organization or a sub-group of it. It is a general description of what it is that the team is there to do. It grows out of the Vision. It describes the organization's purpose. It tends to be general with objectives often accompanying it. The mission provides the "framework" for goals and objectives. It also provides guidance for the major decisions officers and board members need to make. Identifying or updating the mission is usually done during strategic planning.
Developing a mission statement can be approached using varying methods:
Participants may use highly analytical and rational exercises such as focused discussions or highly creative and divergent approaches through daydreaming, sharing stories, etc.
In the wording process consider the products, services, values, market and concern for the public image of the organization.
The mission should be brief enough (one or two sentences) that everyone in the organization can learn it and recite verbatim.
Adding or removing a word, which may also further define the scope of products and services of the organization, can accomplish refining the mission.
The mission should include sufficient description so that it clearly separates the mission of the organization from other organizations.
It is a good idea to revisit the mission from time to time to make sure it is relevant to the organization's current situation.
To stimulate thinking the group should consider the functions of the organization, who the organization serves (the customer) and how the organization will fulfill the functions (the activities, methods and technologies).
© 2005 - Heidi Richards
Heidi Richards is the author of The PMS Principles, Powerful Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Business and 7 other books. She is the owner of Eden Florist & Gift Baskets ? http://www.edenflorist.com and the Founder & CEO of the Women's ECommerce Association, International http://www.WECAI.org (pronounced wee-kī) ? an Internet organization that "Helps Women Do Business on the WEB." Basic Membership is FREE. Ms. Richards can be reached at http://www.HeidiRichards.com or Heidi@wecai.org.
Do you remember being told to use the "sandwich" technique... Read More
Workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between people... Read More
Kinds of Workplace ConflictsLet's start by identifying where conflicts happen.... Read More
It really is about motivation. After all, what impels someone... Read More
We all know that achieving better alignment, synergy and cooperation... Read More
Envision the scenario: You've just been asked at the last... Read More
In today's competitive world shorter product life cycles, customers rapid... Read More
Interrogated on a beach in Barbados by friends insistent that... Read More
What is the number one way to prevent failure in... Read More
One of the keys to success is to have successful... Read More
The company decided to develop and implement an improvement program.... Read More
A trainer dryly discussing how to motivate people in an... Read More
The other day I brought my mother into an appliance... Read More
The need to get people in an organization to pull... Read More
If you're not satfied with the results of your management... Read More
Workplace violence has become a tragic reality today. From minor... Read More
It's hard to believe the year will be half over... Read More
Project heroes. We've all heard of them. Some of us... Read More
The following tips will help you communicate more effectively with... Read More
Introduction"High performing HR function affects bottom line nearly 10%"- A... Read More
A lone ranger is someone who prefers working in solitude... Read More
Communication is the key to your success at work, at... Read More
What is factoring?Accounts receivable financing, also known as factoring, is... Read More
Jack Welch joined a conference that was held in Duke... Read More
As a manager our role is to:1. Establish the vision,... Read More
The following information is based upon over 500 interviews with... Read More
Each year many people create a list of resolutions designed... Read More
We live in a relentlessly competitive world. The daily pressure... Read More
The steps need to be taken to prepare an organization... Read More
I've always been fascinated by situations where art imitates real... Read More
As the business world enters a period of hyper-competitiveness, every... Read More
When we want to hire people for a corporation or... Read More
Over 3 of my meetings with 3 business owners last... Read More
It is when the going gets better, that the going... Read More
Imagine the following scenario; Ten years ago you decided to... Read More
Do you struggle with a "problem" employee? If so, join... Read More
A series of articles exploring the seven critical areas that... Read More
As the business world enters a period of hyper-competitiveness, every... Read More
I believe the media and our culture sends the wrong... Read More
You're so excited you're practically bouncing off the walls. This... Read More
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal raised the... Read More
The title of this article sounds like simple advice, but... Read More
The good news is that a new hire orientation program... Read More
Insightful leaders and organizations recognize that training is a valuable... Read More
Late last year I was presenting a workshop for the... Read More
"It is not the strongest species that survives, nor the... Read More
When the typical new business operator starts a business, they... Read More
I first met Roland (not his real name) in 1972.... Read More
The way you structure your payment offers can increase your... Read More
This article relates to the Career Opportunity competency, commonly evaluated... Read More
This technological revolution has organization, efficiency and productivity requirements well... Read More
American CEOs are dropping like flies. Boards, armed with new... Read More
Picture yourself standing on the bank of a river watching... Read More
1) Use a live instructor. Adults learn best by doing,... Read More
After a full week of training, you are still a... Read More
The end of the television season in May included the... Read More
What really amazes me, with all the personal and professional... Read More
It seems incongruous that good idea generation can be a... Read More
A crisis, emergency or disaster can happen at anytime and... Read More
IntroductionThe role of the Human Resource Manager is evolving with... Read More
This article relates to the Safety and Working Environment competency... Read More
Here are some quick thoughts on ways to turn things... Read More
I recently received a most interesting phone call.When I answered... Read More
Take some bold steps and help your employees and business... Read More
It is easy to spot the difference between a work... Read More
Great Groups! - Getting a Group to Think Like a... Read More
Business Management |