What’s the difference between your mission statement and vision statement? Where do values fit in? Why is it so important to articulate these pieces?
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The core of your business is your mission, vision, and values. You need to clearly identify and articulate what these are, especially as you bring on members for your team. Walk through the mission, vision, and values exercise with a free workbook I created just for you. Just go here to grab it.
Why Mission, Vision, and Values are Important to Your Business
Your business will change so quickly and you’ll want to review these foundational pieces annually. If you have a team, sit down and do this exercise with them. Having a mission, vision, and values gives you a framework to refer back to as opportunities pop up.
Your Mission Statement
Define your mission statement, a.k.a. your declaration of purpose. Why is your business a business? The mission statement will be concise and specific so customers understand your purpose and how you provide value.
To test your mission statement, ask yourself, “Would my competitors use this exact same statement?”
Use these questions to craft your mission statement:
- What do I do?
- How do I do it?
- Who do I do it for?
- What value do I bring?
- Why do I exist as an organization?
- What do I provide for my customers?
- What will I be remembered for?
- What’s my overall intention?
- What do I do well that nobody else does?
It all goes back to your declaration of purpose. Your mission should articulate who you’re working with, what services you offer, and what your priorities are. Remember that your mission statement is actionable.
Your Vision Statement
Your vision statement is aspirational and dreamy. It’s how your business would exist in its most successful state. The vision is a broad view of how your company will leave a big impact on your customers and the community you serve. If you were to meet all of your goals, what would your company be like in 5-10 years?
You don’t have to have a solution. Just dream big.
Think about where your business is going in the future and what problems you expect to solve that you’re not solving today. It could start with, “By 2025, my organization will …”
Vision statements are internal. You won’t see it on your website or in sales copy. It doesn’t need to be shared with those outside your organization.
“The vision helps drive your dreams.”
Your Core Values
Describe what your organization believes in and how it behaves. Your values make up the moral compass for your company.
“Your values tell the world what you’re about.”
Use these questions to craft your core values:
- What are my guiding principles?
- What are my core beliefs?
- What do I stand for?
- What am I opposed to?
- What type of clients do I like to work with?
For me, I value candor, leadership, details, reliability, and honesty.
Don’t skip over this step. As you hire, these core values will guide you to the right person.
“Regardless of the size of your business, your core values have to be stated.”
Remember to get the free download to walk you through these exercises.
Weekly Ops Activity
Go to the Ops Insiders Community and attach a picture of you working through the free mission, vision, and values guide. Then expect a prize!
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