Having a mission statement that represents your business and what it stands for can be a powerful tool in strengthening your team and employee identification with your organization. Defining a common goal to work towards can make your staff and yourself feel like they are part of a bigger project with a shared aim. Of course, particularly as a new business owner, it can be difficult to get started. This is why we've compiled this short guide to creating a mission statement for your business.

Mission statements - explained

Your company's mission statement defines your goals as an organization. A good mission statement will define the purpose of your company in no more than a few sentences. Your statement should incorporate the core values that form the basis of the company's purpose. A well-crafted mission statement can help unify your business and sell it to both prospective employees and potential investors. A compelling mission statement should include what your business does, how it does it, and why it does it.

Developing your business's vision statement

Start the process of creating mission and vision statements for your business by identifying what your company does at its very core (eg simply write down "we create bespoke website solutions"). You then need to make sure to include information on how your business works. Of course, this is not going to be an in-depth description of every supply chain, but more a general statement on how you operate as an organization. This could eg be a reference to a specific focus (eg "using sustainable energy online"). Last but not least, make sure your new mission statement clearly states why you founded your company. For example, this could be "to make website design a more sustainable industry".

Of course, you can always amend the wording of the statement. Ensure everyone in your business is aware of what the mission statement is and means for the business in its everyday life. This will also serve as a basis for the company's future PR and marketing.

Mission statement - examples

It may be helpful to have a look at some bigger companies' statements. This can inspire you and give you a better overview of what mission statements incorporate. Google, for instance, uses “Our mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.”, while Twitter's mission statement is as follows: "The mission we serve as Twitter, Inc. is to give everyone the power to create and share ideas and information instantly without barriers. Our business and revenue will always follow that mission in ways that improve – and do not detract from – a free and global conversation.”