What's Your Mission? What's Your Target?
If you were to ask a self-employed business owner, entrepreneur or solo professional what his mission was you very often will get a blank stare or a lookthat is saying, “That’s a stupid question.”
Actually, if you are running a small business or starting your own business having a mission and a statement that reflects your mission can bring you to good decisions more quickly and a better bottom line.
Mission-It’s The Big Picture
Most small business owners when asked about the question of mission will have the following responses:
- To earn more money
- To survive
- To grow
As business growth coach and business performance coach when I ask that question the answer usually falls into one of these areas or a variation thereof. While all these are important they are not a mission.
A mission is the big picture. In nearby Conroe, Texas the law enforcement vehicles all have the mission printed on them, “To protect the citizens of Conroe and to exceed their expectations.”
Mission—It Gives Purpose
Part of protecting the citizens of Conroe and exceeding their expectations is to have short response times, to be understanding in times of stress and to be there as a wall between the public and danger.
There are literally hundreds of components that go into this mission. Yet, every person in law enforcement understands that what he does contributes to a bigger picture of the common good. It isn’t just about them.
And, if they don’t meet the mission in what they do there can be negative consequences for them. When they answer the phone or do investigations they are not only doing their job but they are measuring their performance against the fulfillment of the mission.
Yes, a mission gives purpose. And when you have a common purpose it is much easier to build a team and a smooth running organization.
Mission—A Moral Compass
When a small business has a mission that is public and the employees and everyone knows what it is it helps the employees and owner of a small business stay in alignment. When things happen contrary to the mission, which will happen in any organization, corrections can be made quickly and the business can move forward.
You eliminate many of the useless arguments and discussions which may devolve to who’s right instead of what’s right. Having a mission keeps the small business, its owner and the employees on track.
A mission can bring many positive things to a business. It allows employees not to just focus on what they do but how it affects the greater good. It brings purpose which can help build a sense of team. And, mission acts as a moral compass to keep the performance of the company and its employees in line with the mission.
Business growth and business development can be accelerated by having a mission of which everyone is reminded every day. As a marketing business coach one of the things small business very often lacks is a cohesive marketing plan. Once they have a mission, very often, how to market becomes much clearer.
Regardless of where you may be at in your small business growth develop a mission and a mission statement. When you have a mission you have created your map to small business success.
