Mission Statement Template

A mission statement is viewed to be a positive assertion of what one wished to achieve in his life. A mission statement gives him guidance to what his goals are and lays down the path to achieve them. Several management experts have tried to define mission statement vs vision statement with lengthy worded definitions. But the crux of the thing is pretty easy to spot. A vision is where you wish to see yourself in a few years while the mission is how exactly you see yourself going about achieving your vision. It is also an important exercise in corporate branding and corporate leadership. Personal mission statements too are gaining popularity - the business mission statement templates have been around prominently for a while now - and people ensure that they have a mission statement handy so that they remember what it is that they have set out to do.

Writing a Mission Statement

Mission statements come in all types: the personal mission statement, the charity mission statement and these days even the family mission statement. The idea behind them all is the same that the people do not lose sight of their goals which they wish to achieve in life. So, if you're having trouble making your mission statement, here's some help with formulating your mission statement, in a question and answer format.

Why Do You Exist?
Touches a bit on the philosophical side here, but this is the cornerstone of your mission statement- whether it is a business mission statement or non profit mission statement. This question ought to be answered in one line and you should really throw in words like 'customer service' and 'excellence' to make the thing look stronger.

Who is the Beneficiary?
Apart from yourself, who is it that you intend to serve? Who are your customers or your stakeholders? Calling customers your 'partners' is a new trend which is really catching on and something which your customers like to hear as well, so you could incorporate that one in your mission statement.

What Do You Do?
A very basic question which tries to hit a chord at the very operational level. The first question talks about the overall purpose of the company, while this one focuses at the micro-level production activity. Here you could include 'innovation in everyday processes' or something to the effect that you are unwilling to stagnate and the top leadership and management are ready to make big changes when it is necessary.

What is Your Desired Result?
So while you are in this activity and are serving those people by doing these things, surely there is something you wish to see happening at the end of the whole thing. Perhaps a change in the way things are done in the industry, perhaps good customer service, perhaps excellence in your field of work or may be a tidy profit. The first three options mentioned here are your best ones and the last one is only for comic relief and should not at all be a part of your mission statement!

Sample Mission Statement

Here's how you would basically key out your mission template format.

Our mission is to _____________________________________________ (product/service promise) for _________________________________________________________ (customers) by _________________________________________________________ (processes) keeping in mind _______________________________________________ (the result)

It is agreed that you need to be formal and concise about your mission statement. But you also need to show the passion and desire that you possess, to inspire the others to work with you to excel. By going through mission statement examples, you will no doubt have a better idea of how exactly to frame the mission statement. Good luck!