Comments on: Mission Statements: Essential or a Poncey Waste of Time?

By: Colleen King

Colleen King — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 13:11:04 +0000

When you were two, there were two line lines of communication, now you’re 16 there are 120 : n(n-1)/2

Extend that by using one of the formula for the total number of interest groups that could form with 16 staff, n(2n/2+n-1) (that’s 2 to the power of n) you could end up with a possible 524,528 lines of communication.

Toss a few customers and suppliers into the mix and we have numbers that are too scary to even think about.

Makes a mission statment or some clear goals and objectives start to look like a good idea 🙂

By: Danvers

Danvers — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:34:37 +0000

Duane, I am reading “Obliquity” by John Kay at the moment, which I highly recommend, and in it, Kay makes the argument that organisations and leaders who succeed more often than not do it by setting “oblique” targets rather than direct ones. In other words, rather than targetting profitablity, you target having good customer service and a great product – profit will follow those things in due course.

In terms of creating the right culture, a mission statement seems to be a “direct” approach, whereas an oblique approach (which I am sure you do anyway), such as hiring the right people, fostering team spirit, rewarding people who demonstrate the right spirit and so on would be a better way.

The problem with a statement is that it can be changed at any time when it become expedient to do so. A culture within a company can only be changed gradually so has a element of permanence to it.

Just my thoughts…

By: Mark Sadler

Mark Sadler — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 08:28:07 +0000

A single line mission statement is a bit crap, they need to be wrapped in a philosophy, as they are meant to convey direction, feeling and passion.

You can start with:
“We are going to kick seven shades of crap out of Sage”.
But you need to put some meat on the bone.

I’ve copied this from the Honda website for you.
(I worked there 12 years ago and i still remember it !)

Honda Philosophy

Basic Principles Respect for the individual. The Three Joys (buying, selling and creating)

Company Principle
(Mission Statement) Maintaining a global viewpoint, we are dedicated to supplying products of the highest quality, yet at a reasonable price for worldwide customer satisfaction.

Management Policies
Proceed always with ambition and youthfulness.
Respect sound theory, develop fresh ideas, and make the most effective use of time.
Enjoy work and encourage open communication.
Strive constantly for a harmonious flow of work.
Be ever mindful of the value of research and endeavor.

Dreams inspire us to create innovative products that enhance mobility and benefit society. To meet the particular needs of customers in different regions around the world, we base our sales networks, research and development centers and manufacturing facilities in each region. Furthermore, as a socially responsible corporate citizen, we strive to address important environmental and safety issues.

By: Matt Chatterley

Matt Chatterley — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 06:57:36 +0000

I tend to agree with @dougsom (amongst others) – a “Mission Statement” written as a faux marketing tool is fairly useless and generally poncy – however, as a tool to help keep the business on the right tracks it has potential.

Much like business and marketing plans themselves – if you write them once as ‘day dream documents’ and then never look at them again, they won’t help you. If you map out the next 12 months realistically and then review regularly, they can be very powerful indeed.

By: Gavin Henry

Gavin Henry — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:11:00 +0000

I would when you get bigger so your goals, purpose, plans are understood but I’m sure it would go stale and dated at some point ifnot cared for.

The only reason I would is to try and get my passion across to my staff so they understand why I started this and for them to try and feel part of it.

Gavin.