Last week, we talked about writing your business vision statement. We wrote out your aspirations of where you want your business to go and what you want to achieve over the long term.

This week, we’re going to start on your business mission statement. Your mission statement tells everyone what your business is about and what your goals are in the short term.

A vision statement answers the question, “What do I want my business to become?”

A mission statement answers the question, “Why does my business exist?”

So get your notepad, laptop, or journal out, grab a cup of coffee or tea, and let’s start brainstorming!

What Should You Ask When Putting Together Your Business Mission Statement?

There are so many questions that you can ask yourself when you decide to write a mission statement, it’s easy to get overwhelmed! These four give you the most bang for your buck. Some of them you answered when you first started your business, but now you are committing to them by integrating them into a formal statement. They are deceptively simple, but HUGE.

What do we do? – What do you offer? What are your products or services? What do you want to be known for? What impact do you want to make in your community or industry?

How do we do it? – How do you deliver? What sets you apart from your competitors? What expertise, training, perspective do you bring to your clients?

Who do we do it for? – Who is your client or customer? How can your business help them get what they need?

What value are we bringing? – What transformation does your product or service bring to your client? What makes them love you?

I warned you, these are not easy or small questions! But they will help you determine the direction you want your business to go in over the next 1-5 years. Keep your business vision in mind when writing down your thoughts, and watch out for any conflicts. Conflicts might indicate an area that you are uncertain about in some aspect of your business, and should be explored carefully. (And if you need help with this exploration, get in touch.)

Next week, we’ll take your notes and put together a vibrant, actionable business mission statement that will help you plot your course for the future!