Writing a winning mission statement

February 10, 2015

A mission statement is a document declaring the purpose of your business, and captures the essence and the principles behind your major goals. It very simply tells anyone who might wish to know — customers, employees, investors — what your company is, why it exists and what niche you fill in the business world. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you craft a winning mission statement:

Why are you in business?

Think about what inspired you to begin your business, and why other people should care about that. You want people to know that the passion that sparked your idea was strong and only grew stronger as time passed.

Who are you serving?

The most important thing for customers is what a business can do for them. Are you prepared to meet consumer demands? Do you understand what they need and how to deliver it to them?

What is your brand?

Everyone who encounters your company will have a different perception of it. The best way to make a good impression is to work towards crafting a unified and focused image of yourself. What picture are you looking to create in the minds of customers, investors and employees?

How are you different from the competition?

If there is nothing you are doing differently from others of your ilk you may have already failed. You are in competition for a finite resource: the people who will employ your business and make it successful are the same people who may put their dollars into another company entirely. Make sure you stand out from the crowd at the get go.

What are your business values?

Why are you doing the work you are doing? What makes it important to you and how do you intend to expand your vision in the future? Tell people what makes you and your company tick.

Mission statements are one part of the process involved in starting a business. When you have the basics down, make sure to talk to a register agent service, and start learning about incorporating your business so that you are ready to take the next step.