Video:How to Create a Mission Statement

Transcript:How to Create a Mission Statement

Hi! This is Meghan Lynn Allen for About.com, and today we're discussing how to create a mission statement.

Information About Creating a Mission Statement

Whether you're a large company or an entrepreneur, it's important to communicate what your business is about to employees, to customers, to suppliers, and to the community.

Steps for Creating a Mission Statement

First step - round up the troops. Choose a team of people to help create your mission statement. Five heads are definitely better than one. And be sure to choose people you feel are personally invested in the mission statement of the company.

Now that you've gathered your team, it's time to ask the right questions. Some of them may seem simple - for example, what is the business? Why are you in this business? And what services do you provide? And some of them make you think a little bit. What are some of your goals and objectives? What are your short term and long term plans? What level of service do you expect to provide? What are your relationships to outside entities, and how will you provide these services?

Now it's time to condense and get to the point. Take those large ideas and tighten it into just a few sentences. Some companies' most successful mission statements are just one sentence. You might use one to three, or even a bulleted list. Google is famous for this.A mission statement should be well thought-out and may need to last the lifetime of the company. Be sure you take the time to make sure every word is exactly what you want it to be.

More Tips for Creating a Mission Statement

Now that you've gotten that mission statement down on paper, it's time to proofread it. There's nothing worse than making a bad first impression. And a good first impression of your mission statement bodes well for your company. Take your time to make sure that every word is exactly what you want it to be. Creating a solid mission statement tells your customers that you mean business.

Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the web at About.com.