Do You Know Your Mission?
You may think you know why you’re in business, but perhaps it’s been years since you gave it serious thought. There’s no better time than now to re-examine why you’re doing what you’re doing. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What is my business mission? — Beyond simply making a living, what are my long-range professional goals? Do I wish to become the standard by which my competitors are judged? Is it my dream to help make the world a better place?
- Where is my organization going? — Am I achieving my mission? Am I making plans to accomplish it? How can I change policies, procedures or personnel to improve my chances of achieving my mission?
- What environment is my organization operating in? — What are the social, economic and technological trends that affect the way I do business and my progress toward my goals?
- What are my core competencies? — What do I like to do? What is it that I do better than my competitors? Is my business mission compatible with my values and aptitudes?
I’ve seen too many business professionals and companies make the mistake of trying to be all things to all people. Starting out with the fundamentally sound goal of finding a niche that will make them successful, they go astray by changing direction every time a customer or associate suggests a new product or service. The mission gets lost in a frantic scramble for business before the original idea ever gets a chance to pay off.
So, even if you think you know your mission, it will serve you well to pause periodically, analyze your business and, if necessary, refocus on your mission and philosophy.
thank you so much for this article, in the midst of growing pains, truly needed this to prevent trying to be all things to all people.
I believe the most important skill that I have developed through BNI is learning to define what I do in twenty five words or fewer. Some call this an elevator speech. I prefer to believe that this elevates my focus…so here goes…I provide location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California…14 words…nice!!
This is excellent and timely advice!
Each week I try to make the introduction to my sales manager minute a little more concise. How does this sound?
‘I help people breathe better indoors with air purifiers that work.’
I appreciate your comments.
Time and word of mouth is the most powerful means to get out your product. Thanks.
Mission is the best place to start. We can get caught up in activities that take us off the path to our mission, but if we do go astray it’s our mission that helps us measure what tasks are important.
Thank you so much for yet another pearl of wisdom to pass on to colleagues and chapter members.