business plan mission statement

• By use case
• AI assisted videos
• Advertising video
• Animated video
• Animated logo video
• Animated text video
• Animation video
• Cartoon video
• Commercial video
• Business video
• Explainer video
• Infographic video
• Intro video
• Movie maker
• Photo to video
• Presentation video
• Short videos
• Trailer video
• Book trailer video
• YouTube video
• Diverse Workplace Scenes
• Leadership Skills Tips
• A Reason to Celebrate
• Frank Character Explainer
• Superpowers Girl
• Robot Character Explainer
• Team Birthdays
• Birthday Cake
• Birthday Calendar
• Birthday Greetings
• Funny Birthday
• Staff Birthday
• Workplace Announcement
• Business Explainer
• Employee Onboarding
• Business Ad
• Hybrid Work Policy
• Workplace Wellness Tips
• Explainer Script
• How to Change Your Password
• Snappy Explainer
• Mental Health for Employees
• Product Explainer
• E-Learning App Ad
• Infographics
• Industry Trend Update
• Real Estate Infographic
• Marketing Infographic
• Animated Infographics
• Infographic Explainer
• Infographic
• Introductions
• New Teammate
• New Employee Introduction
• Welcome New Team Member
• Warm Welcome
• New Team Members
• Meet the Team
• We're Hiring Manager
• Recruiting Ad
• We're Hiring IT Support
• Video Resume
• Now Hiring Product Engineer
• Job Offer Congratulations
• Dancing People Ad
• Eager Dog Ad
• Winter Sale
• Funky Sloth Ad
• Product Promo
• Book Trailer
• Thanks Group
• You Rock Employee
• Great Job Team
• You Rock Team
• Great Job Employee
• Great Job Group
• Weekly Update
• Company Update
• Product Launch
• Monthly Update
• News Update
• Year in Review

Ready to get started?

• Video Trimmer
• Remove audio from video
• Add music to video
• Add text to video
• Video merger
• Video resizer
• Convert image to video
• Montage maker
• Add image to video
• Watermark maker
• Add frame to video
• Video analytics
• Add button to video
• Image Resizer
• Convert video to GIF
• Convert GIF to MP4
• Extract audio from video
• Quick start guide
• Inspiration , Operations

Mission statement examples: 16 of the best to inspire you

• 15 Jun 2021

More than just a planning exercise, a mission statement focuses your leadership team, inspires employees, and communicates your core values to the larger world.

All in a single sentence. Magic.

A mission statement is one of the most important documents in your company’s arsenal, but it’s also one of the most difficult to craft. We’ve gathered 16 of the best company mission statement examples to help get your creativity flowing.

Level up with a mission statement video:  Deliver your mission statement with the most engaging communication medium — video. Turn your company’s mission statement into a video with Biteable. Start with a brandable  mission statement video template  and let Biteable’s smart editing features do all the heavy lifting for you.

Create videos that drive action

Activate your audience with impactful, on-brand videos. Create them simply and collaboratively with Biteable.

What is a mission statement?

A mission statement sums up the core of who your company is and why it exists. It’s  raison d’etre , if you want to get fancy and speak a little French.

Company mission statements are typically short and sweet, only a sentence or two. And the best mission statements are anything but boring.

When done right, your company’s mission statement acts as a powerful driver that informs every aspect of your organization, from daily operations, to customer loyalty, to employee satisfaction. When done wrong, a mission statement is just another line of jargon everyone pretty much ignores.

Take the Starbucks company mission statement as an example:  To inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.

Starbucks could have said:  To challenge the predominant infrastructure of coffee culture and develop a network of coffeehouses in every major market.

Did your eyes glaze over on that second one? Ours too. While technically true, our made-up example of a company mission statement is full of dreaded corporate-speak. It belongs deep in the bowels of a strategic plan, not as it’s headline.

On the other hand, the real Starbucks mission statement makes us want to be a part of it all. And even more than that, it conveys a sense of the beating heart behind the company.

The best mission statements do just this — clearly convey a company’s reason for existing, in language that is exceedingly human.

Mission statements vs. vision statements — what’s the diff?

It’s easy to confuse vision statements and mission statements. But there are a few important differences.

A vision statement is aspirational. It outlines where your company strives to be in the future — whether that is one year from now or ten. In contrast, a mission statement spells out where your company is right now.

Think of your company’s vision statement as a long-term goal post. The end point towards which you are working. If your vision statement is a goal post, then your mission statement is what drives you toward that goal post.

Why your company mission statement is important

You’ll probably write your company mission statement during your strategic planning because it’s a valuable tool that helps your leadership team make big-picture decisions. Chances are, you’ll even look at examples of other company mission statements to help you craft your own.

But the purpose of a mission statement goes far beyond strategic planning.

Consumers value mission-driven companies

It’s no secret that today’s consumer values a company with, well, values. These values don’t have to be centered around saving the world. But they do need to be clear, focused, and genuine.

A 2020 study  by global communications agency Zeno Group found that if consumers think a company has a strong purpose, they are:

• 4 times  more likely to purchase from the company
• 4.5 times  more likely to recommend the company to family and friends
• 6 times  more likely to defend the company in the wake of public criticism

Think about this in terms of your personal life. The more you connect with a person, the more likely you are to invite them over for coffee, introduce them to your other friends, and come to their defense. The same is true for the companies we buy from.

We humans value connection and a shared sense of purpose. All things equal, your company’s mission statement can be a powerful differentiator.

Employees want a sense of purpose

Just as your company mission statement makes an impact on consumer sentiment, the same can be said about employee sentiment.

According to a recent Gallup poll  Gen Z and millennials (who make up nearly half of the full-time workforce in the US) value belonging to a company with a strong moral compass. They appreciate ethical leadership, and they want to know that their own work has a positive impact on the world at large.

The more effectively human resources and the rest of the leadership team communicates the company’s mission to rank and file employees, the better.

But it doesn’t stop there. It is equally important to put your money where your mouth is, so to speak. If your company mission places value on the environment, do you give your employees opportunities to act upon these values in their everyday work life?

The most effective company mission statements are clear and actionable, from the products a company makes all the way down to the food in the employee cafeteria.

How to write an effective mission statement without a lot of headache

Understanding mission statements is one thing. Actually sitting down to write your company’s own mission statement is quite another.

But if you take the time to do it right, the process is a really useful exercise. Think of this as a chance to clarify and fine tune your purpose so you can point the company in the right direction for years to come.

Brainstorming your company mission statement

To get started, gather your leadership team and brainstorm answers to these four questions. If you are the solo founder of a fledgling company, gather key stakeholders or a handful of your professional mentors instead.

Aim for a short paragraph on each question.

• Why does our company exist?
• What value do our products or services bring to consumers?
• What core beliefs guide our work?
• What makes our company different, better, or more inspiring than our competitors?

After you brainstorm answers to these questions, review your answers and highlight the concepts that are central to your company. You might also pick a few company mission statement examples from businesses you admire and use those to help guide you.

If this brainstorming discussion took place with a group of people, now’s the time to send one or two individuals off to winnow the answers down to a couple of sentences.

Task this pair with writing several drafts of a mission statement, so the final decision makers have choices to work with.

This group process might seem cumbersome, but remember, your company mission statement is a core document. It should reflect the thought processes of as many stakeholders as possible.

Finalizing your work

After you land on a mission statement, do one final check to make sure it meets these criteria:

Plausibility:  Your mission statement is big-picture, but it should ultimately tie back to your everyday business operations. At least in a broad sense.

Readability:  No corporate speak or jargon. Avoid unnecessarily big words or complex sentences. Keep it simple.

• Voice:  Now isn’t the time to be dry and boring. Use language that’s active and compelling. Your mission statement should reflect the unique voice and culture of your company.

Pro-tip:  Give your mission statement more reach by creating both a text and video version. The video can be simple, just an eye-catching background, animated text, and a soundtrack.

Include your mission statement video as part of hiring announcements or other  HR video communications . Or send it over to your marketing team to use as a Facebook cover, website content, and more.

Company mission statement examples: 16 of the best

How do other leading companies tackle their mission statements? We searched far and wide for the best company mission statement examples.

1. Starbucks: Inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.

The Seattle-based coffee giant originated in 1971 and has since become ubiquitous around the world.

Starbucks mission statement :   Inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.

Why it works:  We touched on the Starbucks mission statement earlier, but we’ll elaborate more here. We included this example of the Starbucks company mission statement because it works well for two reasons: it’s ambitious without being overreaching, and it uses down-to-earth language.

Inspiring and nurturing the human spirit isn’t directly related to coffee. But considering the role the company played in reviving coffee house culture in the US, the human spirit and a sense of community doesn’t seem like too big of a stretch. The second part of the statement is exceedingly tangible. It paints a small-scale picture of the company and its work.

2. Honest Company: Meaningful transparency and thoughtful design. We’re on a mission to change the world, one product at a time.

Honest Company made headlines when it went public in mid-2021, with founder Jessica Alba as the youngest-ever Latina to list a company on the New York Stock Exchange.

Honest Company mission statement :   Meaningful transparency and thoughtful design. We’re on a mission to change the world, one product at a time.

Why it works:  As a company committed to creating “clean” baby products, a mission of meaningful transparency and thoughtful design is two-fold. It’s a necessary part of their business practices, and it also speaks to consumers looking for a higher standard in their products.

Being on a “mission to change the world” might be a bit of a stretch. But considering the  baby products market  is projected to be worth $88.72 billion US dollars worldwide by 2026, maybe it isn’t such a huge stretch after all.

3. Patagonia: We’re in business to save our home planet

The outdoor apparel and equipment company is known for its social and environmental activism.

Patagonia mission statement :   We’re in business to save our home planet.

Why it works:  Patagonia is often used as a good company mission statement example, and for a reason. Although it’s wildly lofty, the company really does put their money where their mouth is.

Patagonia originally began as a scrappy company specializing in steel pitons for rock climbing. But when the founders realized their gear damaged the rock face they so loved, they pivoted to low-impact aluminum chocks.

From the moment Patagonia pivoted to aluminum chocks, it became an environment-first company with far-reaching efforts built into every aspect of their business practices.

4. Microsoft: To empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more

The software giant is currently valued at  approaching $2 trillion .

Microsoft mission statement :   To empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

Why it works:  Notice, Microsoft’s company mission statement makes no mention of software, or PCs, or technology at any level.

This isn’t to say the company is focused on something other than tech. But by concentrating on the “why” not the “what” of the business, this mission statement example remains flexible and agile. No matter where the market moves, Microsoft aims to increase productivity with it’s products.

5. Square: Everyone should be able to participate and thrive in the economy.

Square’s point-of-sale and online payment platforms came out on top during the pandemic. But even before that time, the company was a leader in POS products.

Square mission statement :   Everyone should be able to participate and thrive in the economy.

Why it works:  The company’s extended mission statement goes on to say: No one should be left out of the economy because the cost is too great or the technology too complex.

Similar to Microsoft’s mission statement, Square leaves room for agility here. It aims to produce simple, low-cost payment products, regardless of where the market takes it. We also appreciate Square’s focus on who the company serves and why.

6. Pinterest: Bring everyone the inspiration to create a life they love.

Ah, Pinterest. Inspiration central for crafters everywhere, but also a valuable tool for businesses looking for new marketing platforms.

Pinterest mission statement :   Bring everyone the inspiration to create a life they love.

Why it works:  More than the words it uses, we appreciate how Pinterest discusses the ways its mission evolved along with the company.

According to Pinterest, the platform was originally conceived as “a tool to help people collect the things they were passionate about online.” It quickly became clear that people most enjoy using the site to get inspiration from others. And with this, Pinterest’s current mission was born.

7. Target: Help all families discover the joy of everyday life

Fun fact: According to Target’s website, 75% of the US population lives within 10 miles of a store. And why not? Everyone loves a trip to good old Target.

Target mission statement :   Help all families discover the joy of everyday life.

Why it works:  This company mission statement example is equal parts broad and super-specific, depending on how you look at it.

It speaks to Target’s affordable products, geared toward everyday people. But this mission statement can also easily extend to the company’s focus on community giving, corporate responsibility, and creating a positive employee experience.

8. Southwest Airlines: Connect people to what’s important in their lives through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel

The smallest of the “big four” US airlines, Southwest is known for its friendly crew and affordable ticket prices.

Southwest Airlines mission statement :   Connect people to what’s important in their lives through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel.

Why it works:  Maybe you can chalk it up to the company’s southern roots, but Southwest consistently ranks high for customer service. Its mission of connecting people to what’s important in their lives touches on this value.

Southwest sees itself as doing more than just moving people from point A to point B.

9. Spotify: To unlock the potential of human creativity — by giving a million creative artists the opportunity to live off their art and billions of fans the opportunity to enjoy and be inspired by it

The Swedish audio streaming platform currently has 356 million users across 178 markets.

Spotify mission statement :   To unlock the potential of human creativity — by giving a million creative artists the opportunity to live off their art and billions of fans the opportunity to enjoy and be inspired by it.

Why it works:  We included this example because, technically speaking, this is a mission statement and a vision statement combined into one.

When you write your mission statement, it’s important not to confuse the two. But for marketing purposes, wrapping a mission statement and a vision statement up into one shiny package sometimes works very well.

10. Google: Organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful

This one needs no introduction. After all, to Google is officially listed in Merriam-Webster as a transitive verb. If that isn’t a sign of a powerful company, we don’t know what is.

Google mission statement :   Organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.

Why it works:  Google’s effectiveness is centered around its algorithms. At its heart, an algorithm is a system for organizing information. So Google pretty much nailed it here.

We also appreciate the focus on making information “universally accessible and useful.” Google is arguably the most powerful search engine in the world, yet it’s simple enough for anyone to use. Universally accessible and useful sums that up nicely.

11. Nike: Bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world. If you have a body, you are an athlete

The Oregon-based footwear, apparel, and sports equipment company was founded in 1964 and is now synonymous with athletics.

Nike mission statement :   Bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world. If you have a body, you are an athlete.

Why it works:  We admit, we like the asterisk more than we like the actual mission statement. Nike outfits some of the biggest names in professional sports, but its mission specifies “if you have a body, you are an athlete.” The word “inclusion” doesn’t appear in the company’s mission statement, but it says it — and then some — in so many words.

12. CVS: Helping people on their path to better health

Founded as a drugstore in 1963 by brothers Stanley and Sidney Goldstein and partner Ralph Hoagland, CVS bills itself as a “health care innovation company that is reinventing pharmacy.”

CVS mission statement :   Helping people on their path to better health.

Why it works:  This isn’t one of the most inventive examples of a company mission statement, and it also seems somewhat obvious for a drugstore. But CVS embodies its mission in some pretty bold ways. In 2014, it became the  first national pharmacy in the US  to stop selling cigarettes and tobacco products.

13. Harley Davidson: More than building machines, we stand for the timeless pursuit of adventure. Freedom for the soul

Harley-Davidson was founded in Milwaukee in 1903, and it remains one of the most popular motorcycle brands.

Harley Davidson mission statement :   More than building machines, we stand for the timeless pursuit of adventure. Freedom for the soul.

Why it works:  Harley-Davidson is known not only for its iconic design and distinctive engine sound, but also for the unique subculture of Harley riders.

Although Harley enthusiasts might balk at the idea, the company is as much a lifestyle brand as it is a motorcycle manufacturer. And that lifestyle delivers just what is promised in the company’s mission statement: adventure and freedom. And a whole lot of leather.

14. Dove: Help women everywhere develop a positive relationship with the way they look, helping them raise their self-esteem and realize their full potential

What started as a single product — the Dove Beauty Bar — grew into a major line of personal care products used by women around the world.

Dove mission statement :   Help women everywhere develop a positive relationship with the way they look, helping them raise their self-esteem and realize their full potential.

Why it works:  The company’s mission statement combines seamlessly with their vision statement, which says, “We believe beauty should be a source of confidence, and not anxiety.”

Dove delivers on this promise with its far-reaching body positivity campaigns, research initiatives, and self-esteem projects.

15. Livestrong: Which everyday cancer problem will we fix today?

Livestrong is a nonprofit organization that supports people living with or affected by cancer.

Livestrong mission statement :   Which everyday cancer problem will we fix today?

Why it works:  Because selling products and services to consumers isn’t part of the equation, nonprofit mission statements differ from those of their for-profit counterparts. But we included Livestrong here, because it has such a unique mission statement.

Very few mission statements are in the form of a question. This was very intentional on the part of Livestrong. As the company puts it on their mission page, “We have a Mission Question, not a Mission Statement, because we believe that we can only achieve the best solutions through asking the right questions.”

16. TED: Spread ideas.

The media company solicits keynote-style talks from some of the best minds and makes these available, for free, via video and through their podcast,

Ted mission statement :   Spread ideas.

Why it works:  This is another company mission statement example that makes the rounds on the best-of lists. You can almost imagine the lengthy thought process that transpired as TED execs winnowed their mission statement down to just two words. Two words! But that’s all they need.

This mission statement doesn’t say they are “creating opportunities for…” or “gathering the brightest minds to…” They do all of these things as well. But at the very core of the organization, their mission is to spread ideas.

In those two words, they say it all.

FAQs about company mission statements

These company mission statement examples are just a sample of what’s possible when a company really takes the time to craft a thoughtful mission statement. To help you write yours, here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about mission statements.

What should a company mission statement include?

A company mission statement should include one or two strong, well-written sentences that talk about why a company exists, the value it brings to its customers, the core beliefs that drive its work, and what sets it apart from other companies doing similar work.

What are the 3 parts of a mission statement?

The three parts of a mission statement are:

• Mission and purpose:  the main reason a company exists. Its purpose in a broad sense.
• Values:  the core values that drive everyday decisions and behavior in the company.
• Goals:  what the company hopes to achieve by sticking close to its mission and values.

What is a strong mission statement?

A strong mission statement is short and actionable. The strongest company mission statements are written in accessible language (no corporate speak) that reflects a company’s unique culture and voice. A good mission statement is lofty, but also ties back to a company’s everyday business practices.

What is Coca Cola’s mission statement?

Coca Cola’s mission statement is  “to refresh the world in mind, body, and spirit, to inspire moments of optimism and happiness through our brands and actions, and to create value and make a difference.”

Give your mission statement wings with Biteable

Is your mission statement falling flat? Give it wings by turning mission inspiration into video sensation. Biteable is the video maker designed with business communications in mind. With hundreds of workplace-ready templates and brandable video scenes, you can create your first video in less time than it takes to ask “What is our purpose, anyway?”

Need other business, HR, or  internal comms video  ideas? We’ve got loads more where this came from.

Make stunning videos with ease.

Take the struggle out of team communication.

Try Biteable now.

• No credit card required
• No complicated design decisions
• No experience necessary

How to Write a Mission Statement + 10 Great Examples

16 min. read

Updated March 20, 2024

Why is an effective mission statement so valuable? It’s worth taking a minute to ask what it is about certain brands that keep us coming back. What is it about them that makes us spend more time, money, or effort over other options? Is it the price? Maybe the convenience? Or is it something more?

The brands and businesses that we really connect with do more than just supply a product or service . They showcase a purpose, a mission that we can get behind. This can be displayed in how they interact with customers, the organizations and communities they support, and even the way they develop their products.

And there’s no better way for a business owner to showcase this purpose, than through a well-written mission statement.

On this page

• What is a mission statement?

Mission statement or vision statement?

• Why write a mission statement?
• How to write a great mission statement
• 10 Examples of Great Mission Statements

A mission statement is a simple action-oriented statement that explains your company’s purpose. It summarizes what your company does for customers, employees, and owners, and typically includes general descriptions of your organization, its core function, and its goals. In short, you’re explaining what you do and why you do it within a mission statement.

Depending on the focus of your business, your mission statement may be even broader. Explaining not just how you serve your customers and employees, but your community and the world at large. Some businesses even opt to separate this larger aspiration into what’s known as a vision statement.

A vision statement is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a vision for the direction of your company and what it aspires to be. 

These two statements aren’t really interchangeable. They both reflect the purpose and goals of your business, but serve completely different purposes. Your mission statement is the roadmap to achieve your vision. Your vision statement is a much broader picture of the aspirations for your business. 

These can be completely separate written statements for your business, or they can be combined into a more comprehensive mission statement. Having all three does allow you to utilize them for different business purposes, so it may be worth developing variations over time.

Speaking of variations, it’s important to note that your mission statement will likely evolve over time as your business grows and changes. So, don’t be afraid to make adjustments when it seems necessary, and avoid looking for the perfect version of your mission statement. 

Brought to you by

Create a professional business plan

Using ai and step-by-step instructions.

Secure funding

Validate ideas

Build a strategy

I’ve had a 30-year love-hate relationship with mission statements. I’ve read thousands. I love it when a mission statement defines a business so well that it feels like strategy—which does happen—and I hate it when a mission statement is generic, stale, and completely useless. 

Just because a traditional business plan often includes a mission statement isn’t a reason to do one. If it’s not going to be useful for you and help guide your business, don’t bother. The vast majority of the mission statements are just meaningless hype that could be used to describe any business.

Don’t fall into the trap of writing a mission statement just because some checklist or expert said you had to. There are actually sites that poke fun at how most mission statements use vague, high-sounding phrases to say nothing. You should write a mission statement if you want to add clarity to your business goals and you want to get your employees, investors, and customers to understand what your organization is all about. 

Developing your company’s first mission statement, or writing a new or revised one, is your opportunity to define the company’s goals, ethics, culture, and norms for decision-making. The daily routine of business gets in the way sometimes, and a quick refresh with the mission statement helps you take a step back and remember what’s most important: the organization has a purpose. 

So how do you make a useful mission statement? Over the decades I’ve spent reading, writing, and evaluating business plans , I’ve come up with a process for developing a useful mission statement, and it boils down to these five steps.

1. Start with a market-defining story

A really good market-defining story explains the need, or the want, or—if you like jargon—the so-called “why to buy.” It defines the target customer or “buyer persona .” And it defines how your business is different from most others, or even unique. It simplifies thinking about what a business isn’t, what it doesn’t do.

Imagine a real person making the actual decision to buy what you sell. Why do they want it? How did they find your business? What does it do for them? The more concrete the story, the better. And keep that in mind for the actual mission statement wording: “The more concrete, the better.”

This isn’t literally part of the mission statement. Rather, it’s an important thing to have in your head while you write the mission statement. It’s in the background, between the words. If you’re having trouble getting started, make a quick list of what your company does and doesn’t do.

2. Define what your business does for its customers

Start your mission statement with the good you do. Use your market-defining story to suss out whatever it is that makes your business special for your target customer .

Don’t undervalue your business: You don’t have to cure cancer or stop global climate change to be doing good. Offering trustworthy auto repair, for example, narrowed down to your specialty in your neighborhood with your unique policies, is doing something good. So is offering excellent slow food in your neighborhood, with emphasis on organic and local, at a price premium.

This is a part of your mission statement, and a pretty crucial part at that—write it down.

If your business is good for the world, incorporate that here too. But claims about being good for the world need to be meaningful, and distinguishable from all the other businesses. Add the words “clean” or “green” if that’s really true and you keep to it rigorously. Don’t just say it, especially if it isn’t important or always true.

For example, Apple Computer’s 2020 mission statement is:

“Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. Apple’s four software platforms—iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS—provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, and iCloud. Apple’s more than 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it..”

That one obviously passes the test of defining the company with flying colors. Nobody could mistake that mission for generic hype. And it’s an interesting change from the early mission as defined by founder Steve Jobs:

“To make a contribution to the world by making tools for the mind that advance humankind.”

Ikea, on the other hand, starts its mission statement with something that could be any company anywhere. “Our vision is to create a better everyday life for the [sic] many people.” To its credit, it goes on to define a “rest of the mission” that could only be IKEA:

“We make this possible by offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them.”

And note, in this mission statement, how Sweetgreen incorporates a world vision into a product-oriented mission statement:

“Founded in 2007, Sweetgreen is a destination for delicious food that’s both healthy for you and aligned with your values. We source local and organic ingredients from farmers we know and partners we trust, supporting our communities, and creating meaningful relationships with those around us. We exist to create experiences where passion and purpose come together.”

3. Define what your business does for its employees

Good businesses are good for their employees too or they don’t last. Keeping employees is better for the bottom line than turnover. Company culture matters. Rewarding and motivating people matters. A mission statement can define what your business offers its employees.

My recommendation is that you don’t simply assert how the business is good for employees—you define it here and then forever after make it true.

Qualities like fairness, diversity, respect for ideas and creativity, training, tools, empowerment, and the like, actually really matter. However, since every business in existence at least says that it prioritizes those things, strive for a differentiator and a way to make the general goals feel more concrete and specific.

Don’t worry about being fully unique

With this part of the mission statement, there’s a built-in dilemma. On the one hand, it’s good for everybody involved to use the mission statement to establish what you want for employees in your business. On the other hand, it’s hard to do that without falling into the trap of saying what every other business says.

Stating that you value fair compensation, room to grow, training, a healthy, creative work environment, and respect for diversity is probably a good idea, even if that part of your mission statement isn’t unique. That’s because the mission statement can serve as a reminder—for owners, supervisors, and workers—and as a lever for self-enforcement.

If you have a special view on your relationship with employees, write it into the mission statement. If your business is friendly to families, or to remote virtual workplaces, put that into your mission.

You may not need to focus on employees

And this is rare in mission statements. The vast majority are focused on messaging for customers. My recommendation here is not the norm. I include it because it’s good practice, even though not common.

While I consulted for Apple Computer, for example, that business differentiated its goals of training and empowering employees by making a point of bringing in very high-quality educators and presenters to help employees’ business expertise grow. That was part of the culture and, to my mind, part of the mission; but it wasn’t part of the mission statement. It could have been.

American Express, however, includes the team in its mission:

“We have a mission to be the world’s most respected service brand. To do this, we have established a culture that supports our team members, so they can provide exceptional service to our customers.”

4. Add what the business does for its owners

In business school, they taught us that the mission of management is to enhance the value of the stock. And shares of stock are ownership. Some would say that it goes without saying that a business exists to enhance the financial position of its owners, and maybe it does. However, only a small subset of all businesses are about the business buzzwords of “share value” and “return on investment.”

In the early years of my business, I wanted peace of mind about cash flow more than I wanted growth, and I wanted growth more than I wanted profits. So I wrote that into my mission statement. And at one point I realized I was also building a business that was a place where I was happy to be working, with people I wanted to work with; so I wrote that into my mission statement, too.

However, this element too, as with the suggestion about including employees, is unusual. Few mission statements do it. That’s understandable, since most mission statements are outward-facing only, aimed at customers and nobody else.

Still, some of the best mission statements incorporate a much broader sense of mission that includes, or at least implies, the mission of ownership.

Warby Parker, an eyewear company, does a great job at voicing a higher mission that includes customers, employees, and owners.

“Warby Parker was founded with a rebellious spirit and a lofty objective: to offer designer eyewear at a revolutionary price while leading the way for socially-conscious business.”

5. Discuss, digest, cut, polish, review, and revise

Good mission statements serve multiple functions, define objectives, and live for a long time. So, edit. This step is worth it.

Start by considering developing a full mission statement for internal use and using a customer-facing subset for general publication. That’s common. Many companies have segmented mission statements, with sections set aside and categorized by type or goal. Use bullet points or sections if that works for you. Part of the reason people confuse mission with mantra and vision is that many businesses use them together, and many others also redefine them to fit their context. So what a company does for customers is often called vision, despite the formal definition.

Remember, form follows function, in mission statements, as in all business writing. Make it work for your business. Or don’t do it at all. If you want to call it a vision, and that works for employees and customers, then do that.

Cut out general terms

As you edit, keep a sharp eye out for the buzzwords and hype that everybody claims. Cut as much as you can that doesn’t apply specifically to your business, except for the occasional special elements that—unique or not—can serve as long-term rules and reminders. Unique itself, the word, means literally, the only one in the world. Use it sparingly. Phrases such as “being the best possible,” “world-class,” and “great customer service” mean little because everybody uses them. Having great customer service is way harder than writing that into a mission statement.

Read other companies’ mission statements, but write a statement that is about you and not some other company. Make sure you actually believe in what you’re writing—your customers and your employees will soon spot a lie.

Then, listen. Show drafts to others, ask their opinions and really listen. Don’t argue, don’t convince them, just listen. And then edit again.

And, for the rest of your business’s life, review and revise it as needed. As with everything in a business plan, your mission statement should never get written in stone, and, much less, stashed in a drawer. Use it or lose it. Review and revise as necessary, because change is constant.

• Great Mission Statements: 10 Examples

If you’re looking for some inspiration to get you started on your own mission statement, here are a few of my favorites.

1. Southwest Airlines

“The mission of Southwest Airlines is dedication to the highest quality of customer service delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride, and company spirit.”

What’s most interesting about Southwest’s mission statement is that they don’t mention anything about getting from point A to point B. Their mission is all about how they differentiate what, these days, can be seen as a commodity experience. They also focus on their own employees and the “spirit of the company”, not just the customer experience.

2. Urban Outfitters

“A lifestyle retailer dedicated to inspiring customers through a unique combination of product, creativity and cultural understanding. Founded in 1970 in a small space across the street from the University of Pennsylvania, Urban Outfitters now operates over 200 stores in the United States, Canada, and Europe, offering experiential retail environments and a well-curated mix of women’s, men’s, accessories and home product assortments.”

Urban Outfitters focuses on the experience that they deliver and the focus on what they do. Their mission drives what their stores look like and what their goal is: to inspire. They also nod to their heritage of starting small and growing.

“At Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) we believe a life outdoors is a life well-lived. We believe that it’s in the wild, untamed and natural places that we find our best selves, so our purpose is to awaken a lifelong love of the outdoors, for all.”

REI’s mission focuses mostly on what it wants to do for its customers, but hidden in the mission statement is a mission to preserve the environment as well. Their focus on “getting outside” is what creates a connection between them and their customers.

4. Starbucks

“To inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time.”

Starbucks expands on its mission statement by stating its core values. This is really an extension of the mission statement and explains how they focus on their customers, how they grow their company, and how they work with employees. You can read their values here .

5. Walgreens

“Walgreens’ mission is to be America’s most-loved pharmacy-led health, well-being, and beauty retailer. Its purpose is to champion everyone’s right to be happy and healthy.”

Walgreen’s mission really defines their goals: what they want to achieve and in what product categories they want to achieve it in. They also bring in their broader purpose when they talk about “everyone’s right to be happy and healthy.”

“Make work-life simpler, more pleasant, and more productive.”

While Slack’s mission statement is short, it implies a lot. “Work” doesn’t just mean their customer’s work, it means their own work at their company. Their mission statement serves them both internally and externally.

7. The Coca Cola Company

“Refresh the world. Make a difference.”

Coca Cola takes a slightly different approach with a statement of purpose and then a vision statement. Their purpose is essentially their mission statement and says a lot for being so short. They want to refresh people in both body and spirit while making a positive impact on the world. Their vision also implies their goal of serving the entire world’s population which hits on their corporate and shareholder goals.

8. Patagonia

“We’re in business to save our home planet.”

Another short mission statement that says so much more than you would think at first glance. First and foremost, Patagonia doesn’t say that they are a non-profit – they state that they’re a business. And, this implies that they need to be a strong, healthy business to meet their goal of saving the planet. Their mission applies to their employees, their customers, their products, and their activism.

9. charity: water

“charity: water is a nonprofit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries.”

charity: water’s mission statement is clear and to the point – it simply describes what it does and who it does it for. For most non-profit mission statements, this is enough.

 10. Asana

“Asana’s mission is to help humanity thrive by enabling the world’s teams to work together effortlessly.”

Similar to other mission statements, Asana blends a message about what they do with a higher goal of enhancing the world outside of their company. Yet, they still hint at their target market and goals of being a world-wide company, thus improving the lives of their employees and shareholders.

See why 1.2 million entrepreneurs have written their business plans with LivePlan

Tim Berry is the founder and chairman of Palo Alto Software , a co-founder of Borland International, and a recognized expert in business planning. He has an MBA from Stanford and degrees with honors from the University of Oregon and the University of Notre Dame. Today, Tim dedicates most of his time to blogging, teaching and evangelizing for business planning.

Table of Contents

Related Articles

10 Min. Read

How to Write the Company Overview for a Business Plan

How to Write a Competitive Analysis for Your Business Plan

How to Set and Use Milestones in Your Business Plan

6 Min. Read

How to Write Your Business Plan Cover Page + Template

The Bplans Newsletter

The Bplans Weekly

Subscribe now for weekly advice and free downloadable resources to help start and grow your business.

We care about your privacy. See our privacy policy .

The quickest way to turn a business idea into a business plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

No thanks, I prefer writing 40-page documents.

Discover the world’s #1 plan building software

ZenBusinessPlans

Home » Business Plans

How to Write a Business Plan Mission and Vision Statement [Sample Template]

Are you currently writing a business plan? If YES, here’s an in-depth guide and sample template on how to write a workable mission & vision statement for a business. A vision and mission statement are some of the most important requisite for business success and sustainability, but unfortunately, most entrepreneurs and small business owners run their business without these two thing out of ignorance.

What is a Mission and Vision Statement?

A mission and vision statement ( more commonly called a mission statement or a vision statement ) is a brief sentence that declares the goals that a business plans to achieve in the future. Like a compass guides a ship, it guides a business to success by providing continuously inspiring its stakeholders in their daily operations and strategic moves.

A mission statement helps you plan your business effectively. It provides the destination for your journey to business success. Of course, without a destination, you can’t plan a route. Before we discuss the steps involved in developing a mission statement for your business, let’s look at the components of a mission statement and why you really need a mission statement for your business.

Today, I will be sharing with you an underground secret to building a business from scratch. This secret is one of the contributing factors to the success of any business; yet, it’s often ignored. This secret is nothing more than a “ Business Mission Statement. ”

“The thing I really care about is the mission; making the world open.” – Mark Zuckerberg

The importance of a mission statement can never be over emphasized. I have seen so many startups without a mission; even some established firms also make the mistake of operating without a mission.

“Being an entrepreneur, I have come to realize that all successful businesses are driven by three fundamentals. One is the cash flow, two is the team and three is the mission. Of these three, the mission is the most important.” – Ajaero Tony Martins

Now what has a mission statement got to do with building a business? What’s the impact of a mission statement on an entrepreneur undergoing the entrepreneurial process? Is a mission statement a source of ? While I am not going to answer these questions directly, the following points will help you further understand why you need to develop a mission statement for your business?

Why Your Business needs a Mission Statement

1. The mission is the foundation on which your business will be built. It’s the true purpose of your business and that purpose is reflected in the mission statement. Without a strong mission statement, you don’t have a true business. All you have is just a profit making venture that will soon be wiped out with time.

“To turn really interesting ideas and fledging ideas into a company that can continue to innovate for years, it requires a lot of disciplines.” – Steve Jobs

2. The entrepreneurial spirit is found in the mission statement. When I look at the mission statement of any business, I get a peep into the life of the entrepreneur that founded that business. The entrepreneurial spirit is what drives the entrepreneur forward. If the mission is strong, your spirit will be strong towards the pursuit of your goal.

“The IKEA spirit is strong and living reality. Simplicity in our behavior gives us strength. Simplicity and humbleness characterize us in our relations with each others, our suppliers and our customers.” – Ingvar Kamprad

3. Your mission statement is the bond binding you, your team, employees and your customers to the business. Take away the mission and other key elements will fall apart. Your mission also has the power to attract other like-minded individuals and entities to your cause. The reason is that people with the same mission align together; more like birds of the same feather flocking together.

4. With a strong mission, your business will weather any storm. Take a look at businesses that has been around for over 100 years and you will see businesses with a strong mission. As an example:

• General Electric has stood the test of time because the spirit of its founder “ Thomas Edison ” continues to guide the company through its mission.
• Henry Ford’s mission statement was: “ To democratize the automobile ” and that mission has kept the Ford Motor Company going.
• Aliko Dangote’s mission statement goes: “ Providing your basic need ” and this mission drives the Dangote Group to dominate the commodities market of
• The Rich Dad Company; founded by Robert Kiyosaki keeps waxing strong because of its mission, which is “ To elevate the financial well being of humanity .”

By contrast; I have come to observe that when a company forgets its mission, its starts to lose its relevance. The bond holding the business will be broken and good customers will leave, employees will resign and the business will dwindle. Just as the case of the Dot com burst, many profitable Dot com companies went under because they forgot their mission.

3 Components of a Mission and Vision Statement

1.  a vision.

This, simply put, states the impact you envision your business having on the world in years to come. You can have more than a single statement in here, but don’t go beyond three. Gloss it over to make sure anyone who reads it feels at least one of inspiration, hope, commitment, and awe.

In addition, your vision statement must be compelling, detailed, and reflective of the intended end outcome. Avoid one that is bland, generic, uninspiring, or unreasonable. An example of a good vision statement is that of Amazon:

“Our vision is to be earth’s most customer centric company; to build a place where people can come to find and discover anything they might want to buy online.”

2.  A mission statement

This is a brief statement that states the important goal or purpose that your business is poised to achieve. In other words, it’s a single sentence stating why your business exists in a convincing manner. Keep your mission statement specific and concise ( the shorter it is, the better ), make it connect with both employees and stakeholders, and make it highlight your value proposition. Don’t make it too long, generic, or confusing. An example of a good mission statement is that of Nike:

“To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world.”

Here’s another example of a mission statement:

“To contribute to development of value-added agricultural businesses . ”

3. Core values

These outline the principles and values that the stakeholders in a business will follow in their bid to achieve their vision. They also specify the bounds or limits that the stakeholders must watch while trying to actualize the mission. The following are examples of core values:

• Respect and protect the environment
• Offer high quality products that are safe for consumers
• Meet the ever-changing needs of consumers
• Practice highly ethical business standards

If your business is going to stand the test of time, then you will have to build it upon a strong mission. With the above in mind, let’s now look at the steps involved in developing a mission and visions statement.

How to Write a Mission and Vision Statement for a Business Plan

Please bear in mind that you are learning as much of yourself each day as you are about your customer. So, don’t feel that anything you state here is etched in stone and cannot be changed. The more you understand your customer and the market, the more necessary it would become for you to shift grounds accordingly. But you need to state here what you have to offer at the moment. This will be a starting point for any changes you may need to effect later ( as your business grows ).

1.  Sit down in a quiet spot and reflect upon your thoughts

Ask yourself what drives you forward? What keeps you motivated? When you have figured out the answer to these questions, put it down in writing.

2.  Ask yourself how best you can serve your customers

What will your business stand for in the heart of your customers? What will be the ultimate benefit your customers can derive from your business? When you figure the answer to these questions out, put it down in writing.

3. Brainstorm for your vision statement

The vision is the most important component of your mission statement. Simply put, this is a picture or idea of what you plan to achieve in future . A vision statement is always concise and easy to remember, and for this reason, every stakeholder in a business can easily focus on it; and their decisions and activities are directed towards achieving the vision. Here is a good example of a vision statement:

“ Creating a vibrant rural economy driven by value-added agriculture. “

Once you get one down, then getting other components becomes very easy. To find the best vision statement for your business, simply ask yourself the question, “Why does this business exist?” Present answers from various angles, and you will find your mission statement among them.

4.  Get down your mission statement

As stated earlier, your mission statement is that action sentence that describes how you will achieve your vision. Finding this is much easier once you have found your vision statement. If you are stuck, just do it this way: If your vision is “A diabetes-free society” , then simply add the word “ To ” and another suitable verb to convert it to an action sentence. And there you will have your mission statement.

Using the same vision, you will get “To bring about a diabetes-free society .” You can go further by tweaking it, so that you will have something like: “To manufacture products that can cure diabetes effectively and permanently.” You get it now?

5.  List your core values

First off, you need to clarify your values. This means taking into account all the various stakeholders that your business is ( or will be ) accountable to—including investors, customers, employees, and suppliers. Now, consider how you would like to ideally conduct business with each of these stakeholders. Start making a list and your core values should start to emerge.

These are the various steps you will follow in your quest to achieve your vision. Brainstorm for as many as possible, list them down, and the prune your list down to as few as possible without leaving out any important ones. Now, let’s look at some additional tips that you will need to keep in mind when preparing your mission and vision statement.

4 Extra Success Tips for Developing a Business Plan Mission and Vision Statement

• Your mission statement must be brief and simple. Being succinct as demanded by a mission statement isn’t easy. And you may need to go through several hours of tweaking and editing before arriving at the perfect sentence. Though short, your mission statement must capture the very essence of what your business plans to achieve. The fewer words the better. Use just only the few words needed to pass the message without leaving out any vital details.
• Your mission statement must be in tune with your vision, and both sentences must blend to form a single thought.
• There’s no rule that says you must get it perfectly at once. You can keep review your mission statement later, if necessary.
• Your mission and vision statements must give the reader an insight, a covert one, at least into what you offer. This is more important if the name of your business doesn’t suggest what products or services you’re offering.

If you follow the guidelines I shared in this post, you will prepare a perfect vision and mission statement that will drive your business to success. Now I want you to know that no one can help you develop a mission statement. You alone can develop your mission and as a final note, it’s worthwhile you know that of the entire business system, the mission is the most important.

• Go to Chapter 8 Part C: Writing your Business Plans Goals and Objectives
• Go Back to Chapter 7 : H ow to Write a Business Plan Executive Summary
• Go Back to Introduction and Table of Content

More on Business Plans

31 Mission Statement Examples That Define Companies and Inspire Customers

Some skeptics are eager to criticize mission statements. They see them as generic and platitudinous , another startup box that founders need to check.

 Turns out, though, a mission statement’s success depends on how it’s written.

What Is a Mission Statement?

In his influential 1998 research article , consultant and business professor Chris Bart found “a significant and positive correlation” between organizational performance and mission statements when managers were satisfied with those statements . He also found a correlation between performance and the process used to develop statements. Simply having a mission statement was a non-factor, but one created with real buy-in delivered the goods.

Related Reading Tips for Effective Business Storytelling

Mission Statement Examples

Later, we’ll tease out what exactly makes a mission statement effective and explore tips for writing one. But first, here are some examples to fuel your inspiration.

• Apple: “To bring the best user experience to customers through innovative hardware, software and services.”
• Procter & Gamble: “To provide branded products and services of superior quality and value that improve the lives of the world’s consumers, now and for generations to come.”
• Reddit: “To bring community and belonging to everyone in the world.”
• Nike: “To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world. If you have a body, you are an athlete.”

Mission statement:  “For over a decade, we’ve been building tech for food people, so restaurant owners can save money, staff members can save time, and diners can order better. Because when restaurants thrive, they can keep serving food that gives your community its unique flavor. We want to keep it that way.”

MobilityWare

Mission statement: “Bringing joy to others one game at a time.”

Mission statement:  “We empower everyday people to move forward on the path to a better financial future.”

First Entertainment Credit Union

Mission statement:  “We build lifelong financial relationships with the people in entertainment based on a deep understanding of how they live and work.”

Mission statement: “Our mission is to rebuild the infrastructure of the travel industry in order to bring freedom, simplicity, and trust to travelers everywhere. We are bringing change to an industry that has been held back by outdated technology and complicated financial incentives that solve for the needs of middlemen instead of providing the best experience to users. Travel matters when communication is essential to building trust, commitment, and a shared sense of purpose. In essence, business travel is a necessity any time success depends on the strength of human connections.”

PatientPoint

Mission statement:  “ PatientPoint is on a mission to make every doctor-patient engagement better, and that goal is at the core of everything we do. We are the patient engagement platform for every point of care. Our digital solutions impact 750 million patient visits every year, helping drive better health outcomes that enable people to live longer, healthier lives.”

Mission Statement:  “At Trupanion , we’re on a mission to help loving, responsible pet owners budget and care for their pets.”

Mission Statement :  “We’re on a mission to simplify the complexities of payments to help you grow.”

Mission Statement : “Our mission is to bring the best user experience to customers through innovative hardware, software and services.”

Mission Statement : “To help humanity thrive by enabling the world's teams to work together effortlessly.”

Mission Statement : “To be the most trusted and convenient destination for pet parents (and partners), everywhere.”

Mission Statement : “Our mission is to increase economic freedom in the world. Everyone deserves access to financial services that can help empower them to create a better life for themselves and their families. If the world economy ran on a common set of standards that could not be manipulated by any company or country, the world would be a more fair and free place, and human progress would accelerate.”

Mission Statement : “DoorDash is a technology company that connects people with the best of their neighborhoods across the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and Germany. We enable local businesses to meet consumers’ needs of ease and convenience, and, in turn, generate new ways for people to earn, work, and live. By building the last-mile logistics infrastructure for local commerce, we’re fulfilling our mission to grow and empower local economies.”

Mission Statement : “Our mission is to design a more enlightened way of working. Dropbox helps people be organized, stay focused and get in sync with their teams.”

Bright Horizons

Mission Statement :  “Dedicated to the highest quality education and care; making a lasting difference, one child, one student, one teacher, one family, and one employer at a time.”

EFFECT Photonics

Mission Statement : “To interconnect humanity through fast, affordable, sustainable, and effective communication technologies.”

Mission Statement:  “Our mission is to build the most popular car subscription platform. Our aim is to help anyone who loves driving a car of their own but fears the struggle, commitment, and intransparent costs associated with ownership to get behind the wheel.”

Mission Statement : “The Fivetran mission is to make access to data as simple and reliable as electricity. The invention of the lightbulb spawned generations to change the world through electricity, creating millions of new products, devices and services. We’re empowering future ‘Thomas Edison’s’ to transform the way the world makes decisions through our always-on access to accurate data. This helps drive better data-driven decisions in pursuits like discovering new drugs, serving humanity in ways big and small (think: banking the underbanked, keeping hospital records up to date, and more!), and enabling social good organizations to do what they do best by improving lives everywhere.”

Mission Statement : “It is GitLab’s mission to make it so that everyone can contribute. When everyone can contribute, users become contributors and we greatly increase the rate of innovation.”

Intel Corporation

Mission Statement : “We create world-changing technology that improves the life of every person on the planet.”

Mission Statement : “Our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.”

Mission Statement : “Our mission is to ensure the Internet is a global public resource, open and accessible to all. An Internet that truly puts people first, where individuals can shape their own experience and are empowered, safe and independent.”

NBCUniversal

Mission Statement : “To be the premier content provider for television and digital platforms, spanning all television.”

Mission Statement : “To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world.

*If you have a body, you are an athlete.”

The Pokémon Company International

Mission Statement : “At Pokémon, our mission is to become an entertainment leader and bring the fun of Pokémon to people around the world!”

Procter & Gamble

Mission Statement : “We will provide branded products and services of superior quality and value that improve the lives of the world’s consumers, now and for generations to come. As a result, consumers will reward us with leadership sales, profit and value creation, allowing our people, our shareholders and the communities in which we live and work to prosper.”

Mission Statement : “Our mission is to bring community and belonging to everyone in the world.”

Mission Statement : “We help people achieve independence by making it easier to start, run, and grow a business. We believe the future of commerce has more voices, not fewer, so we’re reducing the barriers to business ownership to make commerce better for everyone.”

Mission Statement : “At Smartsheet, our mission is to empower anyone to drive meaningful change — for themselves, their businesses and even for the world.”

Warby Parker

Mission Statement : “To inspire and impact the world with vision, purpose, and style.”

Mission Statement : “We’re empowering everyone to create for the web — and leading impactful, fulfilling lives while we do it.”

How to Write a Mission Statement

When it comes time to draft your company’s mission statement, consider the following:

Tips for Writing a Mission Statement

• Make it simple, aspirational and memorable.
• Direct it toward stakeholders, but don’t prioritize shareholders.
• Keep employees — current and future — top of mind.
• Avoid saying you’re “the best.”
• Leave room for the mission to evolve.

Make it Simple, Aspirational and Memorable

A successful mission statement has three important traits, according to Jeffrey Abrahams, author of 101 Mission Statements From Top Companies . They are simplicity, aspiration and memorability.

There’s no magic word count, but experts agree that concision is best. Abrahams recommends aiming for a single-sentence statement. “That has greater impact and can be communicated easily, both within the company and to the target audience,” he said.

Bart, meanwhile, recommends capping at around 70 words. And Inés Alegre, a professor at the business school of the University of Navarra who led a 2018 review of mission-statement research, told Built In that three sentences or so is appropriate.

Your precise mileage may vary, but the “KISS” recommendation put forward by Bart in his 1998 paper still seems appropriate: Keep it simple and straightforward.

It’s common to find an organization’s mission statement posted on an “About” page, but it doesn’t have to be merely descriptive; incorporate some ambition, Abrahams suggested. He invoked Microsoft’s statement: “Our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.”

Memorability

Action verbs, wariness of jargon and bizspeak — these are a CEO’s allies when drafting a statement. It should be organization-specific, too. 

“If the mission statement could be used by a number of companies, especially competitors, it’s not going to be either memorable or serve the company very well,” said Abrahams. “You want it to be distinctive.”

Direct It Toward Stakeholders

“Missions describe why an organization exists, but in particular, they should describe the relationships that the organization wants to have with the stakeholders upon whom it depends for survival, growth and sustainability,” Bart said.

According to him, an effective mission statement should at least speak to two audiences: customers and employees. He cited Southwest Airlines as an illustrative example:

“The mission of Southwest Airlines is dedication to the highest quality of customer service delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride and company spirit.   To our employees: We are committed to provide our employees a stable work environment with equal opportunity for learning and personal growth. Creativity and innovation are encouraged for improving the effectiveness of Southwest Airlines. Above all, employees will be provided the same concern, respect and caring attitude within the organization that they are expected to share externally with every Southwest customer.”

In addition to customers and employees, a strong statement will also often address shareholders and the community at large, Bart said. Here’s one he helped draft for a casino resort that directly targets all four groups:

“Our mission is to provide every guest with a ‘blow away experience’ that is inspired by a celebration of the sea and the myth of a lost civilization. We accomplish this by bringing the myth of Atlantis to life by offering warm, positive, engaging service.   At Atlantis, we are a team of individuals who are passionate and committed in everything that we do. We continuously strive for perfection. We are proud to work at Atlantis because we are a caring and learning organization, which rewards accomplishment and promotes teamwork, respect and innovation.   At Atlantis, we are the pride of our community while providing enduring value for our shareholders. When Atlantis succeeds, we succeed as individuals, and we contribute to the success of the Bahamas.”

… But Avoid Prioritizing Shareholders

It may be more obvious today — after the rise of sustainable investing , office-perk culture that caters to employee happiness and the fact that we’re in the midst of a job seekers’ market — but the thrust of the mission can’t simply be shareholder yield.

Statements that center the returns of the investor class will align approximately zero employees to an organization’s mission. “Shareholder value was the typical mission in the nineties — not anymore,” said Alegre.

One possible symptom of such misalignment? Jargon creep. “When buzzwords and platitudes happen, they usually happen when the focus of the company moves from customer to shareholder,” wrote entrepreneur and Built In expert contributor Joe Procopio.

Read Next 3 Reasons to Prioritize Mission Over Profit in Tech

Resist the Superlatives

As mentioned, mission statements should have an air of the aspirational. But, especially in this era of superlative fatigue , beware of “the biggest,” “the boldest” and “the best.” They’ll inspire more shrugs than hearts, especially when unsupported.

“When a company says its mission statement is to be the best [category here] company in the world — the best steel company in the world or the best clothing company in the world, it’s too general,” said Abrahams. “It needs to be backed up by strongly worded core values, a vision, and guiding principles and beliefs.”

Think of It as a Management Tool

Even though mission statements address multiple audiences, they shouldn’t pretend to think each audience is listening with equal attention.

“There’s a question of prioritization of stakeholders — is it the clients, employees, suppliers, investors? You probably cannot satisfy all at the same level,” said Alegre.

That begs a question: Should companies think of mission statements more as an internal compass for culture and strategy, or an external branding — or even recruiting — element? That is, are they management or marketing? 

“My answer is yes,” said Abrahams. 

Ideally, it can serve as both, experts told Built In, but it should be considered first and foremost a management tool. (Indeed, most research on the topic is published in management, not marketing, journals.) “My impression is that it’s much more useful as an internal alignment tool than external branding,” said Alegre.

Think of the statement primarily as something for employees, Bart said, a true north against which the workforce can always orient itself.

Reinforce the Mission Statement in All Your Communications

Once the statement is finalized, think of it as a muscle: Exercise it often to prevent it from losing definition. Reference the mission during onboardings, training, team meetings, board reviews of key projects and wherever else reinforcement makes sense. Post it on your website, of course, but also your wall. “I work in a business school where the first thing you see after the entrance is the mission,” Alegre said.

Mission statements are especially important during times of uncertainty, such as early in an organization’s life or during growth pushes, Alegre said. Still, lean on them in times of greater stability, too. That provides room for the mission to organically evolve.

Great Companies Need Great People. That's Where We Come In.

.css-s5s6ko{margin-right:42px;color:#F5F4F3;}@media (max-width: 1120px){.css-s5s6ko{margin-right:12px;}} Join us: Learn how to build a trusted AI strategy to support your company's intelligent transformation, featuring Forrester .css-1ixh9fn{display:inline-block;}@media (max-width: 480px){.css-1ixh9fn{display:block;margin-top:12px;}} .css-1uaoevr-heading-6{font-size:14px;line-height:24px;font-weight:500;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;color:#F5F4F3;}.css-1uaoevr-heading-6:hover{color:#F5F4F3;} .css-ora5nu-heading-6{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;color:#0D0E10;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s;transition:all 0.3s;position:relative;font-size:16px;line-height:28px;padding:0;font-size:14px;line-height:24px;font-weight:500;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;color:#F5F4F3;}.css-ora5nu-heading-6:hover{border-bottom:0;color:#CD4848;}.css-ora5nu-heading-6:hover path{fill:#CD4848;}.css-ora5nu-heading-6:hover div{border-color:#CD4848;}.css-ora5nu-heading-6:hover div:before{border-left-color:#CD4848;}.css-ora5nu-heading-6:active{border-bottom:0;background-color:#EBE8E8;color:#0D0E10;}.css-ora5nu-heading-6:active path{fill:#0D0E10;}.css-ora5nu-heading-6:active div{border-color:#0D0E10;}.css-ora5nu-heading-6:active div:before{border-left-color:#0D0E10;}.css-ora5nu-heading-6:hover{color:#F5F4F3;} Register now .css-1k6cidy{width:11px;height:11px;margin-left:8px;}.css-1k6cidy path{fill:currentColor;}

• Business strategy |
• How to write an effective mission state ...

How to write an effective mission statement (with free template)

A mission statement explains your company’s purpose. You should write a mission statement when starting a business so you have a clear idea of what you stand for. Read on to learn how to write an effective mission statement that can help you tackle company goals.

It’s natural to face challenges when leading teams and managing projects, and one way to push forward despite the hard times is to remember your “why.” Your company mission defines why you do what you do, who you do it for, and the impact you’ll create by doing it. When you know your mission, you’ll feel good about where your company is going, even through ups and downs. 

What is a mission statement?

A mission statement is a brief declaration of your company’s what, who, and why. You should share this statement with everyone in your organization so team members understand your collective goals. While a mission statement isn’t specifically for marketing, you’ll likely share it externally as well. This is why it’s important to write it eloquently.

Your mission statement is a foundational piece of content you can use as a jumping-off point for various other materials, including:

Value propositions

Business plans

Company vision statement

Once you’ve solidified your core values and initiatives, you’ll have an easier time expanding on those ideas and getting the message out to your audience.

5 steps to write a mission statement

Your mission statement isn’t something you can craft by yourself. Before you sit down to draft it, recruit other senior and executive leaders at your company who have a sense of what you’re aiming for. Together, use the steps below to get to the root of what your company stands for and the message you want to spread.

1. Answer fundamental questions

To figure out what your mission statement should say, you’ll need to answer fundamental questions about your business. 

What do we do?

What do we create?

Who is our audience?

How do we make a difference?

Once you’ve answered the basics, consider questions that can help you craft a strong mission statement.

How do we differ from others in the industry?

How can we make our mission statement stand out from our competitors?

Can we use other mission statements for inspiration?

Consider having each member of your mission statement tiger team answer these questions separately, then pool your answers together. Your mission statement should be evergreen, so think about it in a way that incorporates business growth. It’s important to consider what your company’s purpose is in the context of what your future might be. 

2. Use your answers to brainstorm copy

Now that you have the ideas for your mission statement, you need the right words. Use brainstorming techniques to help you and the other leaders at your company come with creative ways to express yourselves. The goal is to inspire your team without sounding cliché or overly complex.

Some helpful brainstorming techniques include:

Mind-mapping: Mind mapping is a visual brainstorming technique you can use on your own or with your team. Start with one word or idea and use it to inspire other ideas. You’ll need a large piece of paper or whiteboard to write down a topic. Then, draw lines connecting tangential words or ideas to it.

Brain-netting: Brain-netting is great for remote collaboration , and it involves brain dumping ideas virtually, whether on a Slack channel, Google Doc, or through your project management tool . Team members can add ideas whenever inspiration strikes, and the list will be ever-evolving. 

3. Write your first draft

Now that you have solid ideas about what to put in your mission statement and creative ways to express those ideas, you can start experimenting with what sounds best. The following formulas can help you get started:

To [contribution/goal] so [impact] .

Our mission is to [contribution/goal] by [what you offer/how you do it] for [target audience] so [impact] .

To build/offer [what you offer/how you do it] for [target audience] to [contribution/goal] and [impact] .

For example, if you work for a content marketing company, here’s how your first draft might look:

To increase the value and visibility of content so companies can build strong relationships with their audiences . 

Our mission is to increase the value and visibility of content by offering content marketing services for companies so they can build strong relationships with their audiences . 

To offer content marketing services for companies to increase the value and visibility of their content and help them build strong relationships with their audiences. 

4. Ask for feedback

Draft a few versions of your mission statement so you can ask for feedback from current team members. Because the mission statement applies to everyone, it’s nice to include everyone in the feedback process—even if executive feedback gets slightly more weight. Don’t rush through the writing process. Take your time and get your mission statement to a place everyone is comfortable with.

Collaborate with your team by holding a Q&A session or by sending out surveys to ask which version of the mission statement resonates with them most. That way, once you complete your statement, you’ll feel confident that the result was a team effort. 

5. Revise and share

After collecting feedback, revise your mission statement as needed. Then, finalize it and share it with the rest of the organization. You can also include it in your business plan and share it on your website. 

Your mission statement explains your company’s purpose to those working for the company, stakeholders who may get involved with the company, and customers or clients who may spend money at the company. While you shouldn’t craft your mission statement for selling, it’s something you should be proud of and will likely want to display.

Examples of mission statements

Most companies share their mission statements with the public, either front and center on their websites, or in an easily searchable location. By making your mission statement visible to the clients and customers, companies show what they stand for and what they strive to achieve—both as an internal workforce and with the products or services they sell.

“To help humanity thrive by enabling the world’s teams to work together effortlessly.” 

At Asana , our mission statement explains who we serve and what we want our impact to be on the world. While we have various goals we work toward as a company, our mission statement is our guiding principle among all others. 

Let's do great things together. Join our team.

“To build the web’s most convenient, secure, cost-effective payment solution.” 

PayPal’s statement is more product-focused, but it’s still effective. Businesses may imply the impact they hope to make by explaining the unique features of their product offering. PayPal’s mission is to create the best product possible for customers because doing so will improve lives.

3. Patagonia

“Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.” 

Patagonia’s mission statement is complex, but it shows that their company has many layers beyond the clothing they sell. While on the surface, Patagonia offers outdoor gear, they set themselves apart from other companies by keeping the environment front of mind in all they do. 

Free mission statement template

Using a mission statement template can help you centralize your company’s most important information. Below, you’ll see how a content marketing company would’ve answered fundamental questions about their business and used those answers to design their mission statement with the provided formula.

Use the free mission statement template below to answer relevant questions about your company’s values and goals.

Why is a mission statement important?

Your mission statement is a building block for everything your team does. When you get it right, it leads to a stronger team dynamic in the workplace , more successful projects, and happier customers. Your mission statement should:

Define your brand to team members: Give your team clarity on what product you’re creating, why you’re creating it, and who you’re creating it for.

Present your brand to others: Tell others outside of your company what your team strives for everyday. 

Uphold values and objectives: Refer to your mission statement when you need to hold yourself and your team accountable to your ultimate goals.

Mission statement vs. vision statement

Many people use a mission statement and vision statement interchangeably, and while some companies combine the two, they have different meanings. A mission statement is your company’s “why” statement—in other words, your company’s purpose. Consider your mission statement as what you’re currently trying to achieve.

A vision statement can be a “how” statement or a future-focused statement. It should paint a broad picture of how you want to achieve your mission. Sometimes, companies incorporate the vision statement within their mission statement so they can state and explain their mission simultaneously. 

For example, Google's combined mission and vision statement is:

“To organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” 

Mission statement: To organize the world’s information…

Vision statement: ...and make it universally accessible and useful.

While LinkedIn has separate mission and vision statements:

Mission statement: Connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful.

Vision statement: Create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce.

Use a mission statement to drive company success

Your mission statement is the launchpad for your company’s success. It states what you want to achieve and serves as a constant reminder of your purpose. But the only way to accomplish your mission is with small, everyday actions. A goal is just a dream until you put a process in place.

With work management software , you can set up workflows , schedules, and tasks that align with your mission statement and make your purpose a reality. Asana helps you create a purposeful and productive work experience for all your team members by giving them the clarity they need to achieve their goals.

Related resources

9 steps to craft a successful go-to-market (GTM) strategy

Unmanaged business goals don’t work. Here’s what does.

How Asana uses work management to effectively manage goals

Beat thrash for good: 4 organizational planning challenges and solutions

Business growth

Business tips

23 mission statement examples (and how to create your own)

When I was job hunting, the first thing I would scope out on a company's website was its mission statement. Not only would it tell me what the company did, but it would also highlight the company's values, so I could sniff out any red flags pretty quickly.

But your mission statement isn't just for attracting talent: your company's mission statement can be the difference between attracting a large set of loyal customers or people telling their friends to avoid supporting you at all costs. 

I've compiled a list of great mission statement examples that exhibit an understanding of their target audience—and their own brand. These examples come from companies I've loved for a long time and from others I fell in love with from perusing loads of brand pages.

Table of contents:

How to write a mission statement

23 mission statement examples done right, what is a mission statement.

A mission statement is a short statement that captures the essence of an organization's existence, including its values and goals. It's like the superhero origin story of the business world, with fewer radioactive spiders and more buzzwords.

Its purpose is to serve as a guiding principle, providing direction and clarity for your company's actions and decisions. In just a few sentences, a mission statement answers what you do, why you do it, and who you do it for.

A great mission statement includes the following elements: 

Clarity and conciseness. Leave jargon for internal meetings. Straightforward language lets stakeholders quickly understand and remember what your company stands for.

Acknowledgment of audience challenges. A great mission statement articulates how the organization plans to meet the needs of its customers and employees.

Summary of goals, purpose, and values. These key elements unify and align employees toward a common objective and a shared understanding of an organization's core identity. In this scenario, goals are what you want to accomplish, purpose is why you exist, and values are what you believe in.

Distinction from competitors. This is your chance to quickly explain what makes you different and better than your competitors. 

Who is a mission statement for?

When creating your mission statement, you should be speaking to the following relevant audiences and their needs:

Company leaders. A mission statement is a north star that helps leaders define strategy and make decisions.

Employees and contributors. The values and goals outlined will point all your employees in the same direction, giving them core tenets to keep in mind with their work.

Potential candidates. You're conveying the kind of business you are to potential employees, so they know what you stand for and whether or not you have shared values.

Customers. Your mission statement expresses what's unique about your business to prospective customers and tells them why they should buy from you.

Mission statement vs. vision statement

It's easy to confuse mission statements and vision statements because they're both important parts of the strategic planning process for a business, but they serve totally different purposes. 

A mission statement explains "What do we do?" 

A vision statement explains "Where do we want to go ?" 

Imagine a mission statement as the foundation of your company, and the vision statement as the blueprint for the rest of the build.

How do you possibly encapsulate everything your business does in just 1-2 lines? You can't. But you can do your best. Here's how you should go about writing a mission statement, step by step.

Connect with stakeholders. Chat with executives, customers, and investors and ask them to explain what your company does in their own words. 

List out your core values . Write down and define everything your company stands for in one place.

Consider your audience. Look through any market research or interviews you have from your target audience to identify their needs that your company exists to meet.

Write a rough draft. Take your stakeholder notes, values, and target audience research, and smash them all together in a rough draft. Don't worry about length at this point, just try to connect the dots.

Edit for conciseness. Refine that rough draft into a more succinct statement of what your company does and why , keeping your audience in mind.

Seek feedback. Present your draft to stakeholders, and ask for feedback. This will probably be a long (and potentially painful) process. It might help to include your notes on how you came up with your final product.

Revise. Address the edits you receive, keeping your values, goals, purpose, and audience in mind. Don't lose sight of your research just because Dave from sales thinks it should have more "zing." 

Communicate and integrate. Once you have a final product, it's time to push it out internally and externally and take a nice big sigh of relief.

For some inspiration before you write your own mission statement, here are some examples from companies doing great things (with great mission statements to guide them).

1. Passionfruit

"To create inclusive clothing and accessories that enable you to show your pride all year round while giving back to our community."

While some companies only create clothing that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month, Passionfruit makes it a yearlong commitment. It's also not a company mindlessly slapping rainbows on stuff—this is clothing designed by Queer people for Queer people, which is clear in the mission statement with the simple phrase "our community." 

In one sentence, Passionfruit masterfully conveys its what , why , and who . What? "Create inclusive clothing and accessories." Why? "To enable you to show your pride all year round and give back." Who? "Our community."

Better yet, "giving back" isn't just a fluffy marketing phrase. Passionfruit donates a portion of its profits to The Trevor Project, a nonprofit that provides counseling and support to young Queer people.

A what, why, who methodology doesn't have to sound methodical. 

A mission statement shouldn't have empty promises—be sure to follow through.

" To awaken the potential of a well-rested world"

Casper's mission statement is almost as good as their pillows (I own four). By setting out to solve its target audience's common challenge of getting crappy sleep, Casper immediately connects to the customer in its mission statement. 

Even in its action verb choice, "awaken," it's clear that this company knows its unique value proposition . The brand could have chosen a generic action verb, but instead, it chose one related to its industry and brand for a greater impact.

Switch out the action verb in your mission statement for something related to your industry to stand out. 

Incorporate your brand voice for a mission statement that aligns with the rest of your marketing materials.

Don't say more than you need to—you can count the words for this one on two hands.

3. Magic Spoon

"To transform the cereal industry by building a new category of nutritious and flavorful cereal." 

Finding healthy breakfasts that don't take five hours to meal prep has been one of the biggest cruxes of my adult life. The people at Magic Spoon apparently had the same problem and created healthy cereal options. You're telling me I can get in some protein and avoid a sugar crash in the afternoon? Sold.

The statement's biggest strength is its clear and specific language. They could have said, "We make healthy cereal." But instead, they said they've built a " new category of nutritious and flavorful cereal." 

That word choice lets you know that this product didn't exist before Magic Spoon, and the nutritional value doesn't compromise the flavor. You get all that from one little sentence.

Clearly define your brand's niche—the more specific you can get about what you do, the better.

Be mindful of your word choice, so you can pack a punch in just one sentence.

4. Dunkin'

" We strive to keep you at your best, and we remain loyal to you, your tastes and your time."

Dunkin' keeps its mission statement customer-centric with "you" and "your" language. It gives a personable feel without actually being personalized at all. At the same time, Dunkin' stays true to its value and brand identity of valuing the customer's time.

You'll notice Dunkin' doesn't say anything about coffee or donuts. The closest they get to hinting at the products they serve is the verb "tastes." Because Dunkin' is a household name brand, it doesn't need to use precious space in its mission statement explicitly explaining the what of its brand. Instead, Dunkin' can focus on selling the why and who . 

Stay true to your brand's existing values.

Make your audience feel seen with "you" and "your" language.

"Make work life simpler, more pleasant and more productive."

Other than needing an Oxford comma, Slack's mission statement hits all the right points. It has a clear purpose, and it uses aspirational language like "simpler," "more pleasant," and "more productive," which makes sense for a workplace audience.

And if you think those three aspirational elements couldn't possibly encompass an entire company's goals and values—think again. By recognizing that these elements are interconnected and that improving one aspect can positively impact others, Slack demonstrates a holistic understanding of the complexities of work and, as a result, the complexities of its audience.

A short mission statement doesn't have to miss any vital information—it should just mean you're getting to the meat of it quicker.

Take the challenges your audience faces and flip them into positive solution words. If "complex systems" is the problem, the word "simplicity" should be in your statement. 

6. Caterpillar

"We help our customers build a better, more sustainable world."

Caterpillar's mission statement serves as a source of inspiration for its employees while simultaneously demonstrating the value it provides to its customers. 

The broad scope works well here because Caterpillar couldn't possibly list the ways it builds "a better, more sustainable world" in one sentence. Instead, it paints a picture larger than just construction equipment—one that extends to economic, social, and environmental factors. And if you look deeper into the company's infrastructure and restoration work, you'll see that this brand is more than machinery. 

Focus on your company's "why," not just the product you sell.

Speak to your customers and your employees in your mission statement, as it guides both groups.

7. Stanley 1913

"We're built on invention, innovation and inspiration with a timeless spirit that complements your wild imagination."

Yes, Stanley is more than just the new water bottle trend. And yes, I own two of those 40 oz. handled beauties. 

In fact, its mission statement lets you know it's not just a fad with the callout to "a timeless spirit." The brand was founded in 1913. This reference implies its products and innovations have stood the test of time and will continue to do so, instilling confidence. 

Stanley also establishes itself as complementary to its audience's needs with the wording, "complements your wild imagination." Not only does it acknowledge the customer's aspirations—it also highlights the brand as the enabler of those aspirations.

You can subtly highlight overarching themes of your brand to remind your audience of what sets you apart.

Position your brand as your customers' partner. 

8. The Honest Company

"To create safe, effective products for our families and yours."

The attention to detail is everything in this mission statement. By clarifying its audience is "our families and yours," The Honest Company establishes a sense of inclusivity and unity, fostering a strong connection between the company and its customers. 

The wording of "safe, effective products" also matters in a landscape where safe products don't always equal effective ones. And when you're a parent, you need effective ones. This wording shows The Honest Company knows its audience to the core, allowing the organization to speak directly to its customers.

Choose words that show you know your customers. 

Empathize with your target audience.

"To inspire confidence."

A three-word mission statement can be more effective than you'd think. The straightforward nature of Tula's mission statement makes it easy to remember and communicate. 

It's also versatile, so it can apply to various aspects of Tula's business. It encompasses skin care and beauty products that enhance natural beauty but also educational resources that promote self-care and community initiatives. Its broad application makes it inclusive and adaptable to different brand activities. 

The delete button is your friend when writing impactful mission statements.

Consider broadening your mission statement to encompass multiple facets of your business. 

10. Butterr 

"To embrace sustainable motherhood and continue to create timeless, ethically made, intentional products that are free from chemicals and toxic materials."

Because Butterr only sells a few products, it's especially important it focuses on the why of what the company does. There are also a lot of baby products on the market, so they need a clear message to cut through the noise and differentiate their brand from the competition.

That's where Butterr shines—it narrows down its target market to mothers who care about sustainability. The company isn't trying to appeal to just anyone, so it can get hyper-specific in the mission statement.

Don't be afraid to get really specific about what you do and who your audience is. 

Your mission statement has to be unique in a crowded market. 

11. Culver's 

"We genuinely care, so every guest who chooses Culver's leaves happy."

Culver's mission statement could be "To make the most delicious fast food burger," and that would've gotten my stamp of approval. But this one works, too.

The emotional appeal here is important, particularly for a company that operates mainly in the Midwest. We like our warm and fuzzies, so phrases like "genuinely care" and "leaves happy" makes Culver's more akin to Grandma's house than a fast-food joint. 

Plus, Culver's lays out a pretty clear, measurable goal of ensuring every guest leaves happy. It's specific but also covers a lot of ground when it comes to customer satisfaction. 

Don't shy away from an emotional appeal to connect to your target audience.

Adapt your mission statement to appeal to the culture where you operate.

12. Frenshe

"Our goal is to uncomplicate wellness and empower our audience to be their best, authentic selves."

If there's a prize for addressing a challenge with the utmost sophistication, this mission statement would win it. Wellness often seems like such an inaccessible thing, from influencers with unrealistic routines to all the expensive products and services associated with the topic. 

Frenshe taps into that challenge and faces it head-on with the goal of uncomplicating it. And with products you can purchase at Target and easily integrate into your everyday life, Frenshe lives up to that goal. 

Sure, a body wash isn't going to turn you into a total health guru, but that's not the point. The brand embraces losing that "all or nothing" mindset and instead focuses on incorporating small acts of self-care to help its customers be their "best, authentic selves."

If your mission statement isn't authentic, scrap it.

Break down barriers to your niche, so people don't feel like the product or lifestyle you're selling is inaccessible.

"We believe everyone should have access to period care—full stop. So, with each Cora purchase, we provide period products and body literacy resources to people who might otherwise go without."

This is a bold mission statement, but what's best about it is it doesn't just state a bold opinion and leave it there. It follows up with exactly how Cora is making a tangible impact and addressing inequity by donating period products and other resources to people who need them. 

And in an extremely personal and habitual product space, it takes a bold statement (with the commitment to follow it up) to break through the well-known brand names. 

Get loud about what you believe in with your mission statement, but make sure to back it up with what you're going to do about it. 

If you're in a tough-to-break-into industry, it might take a bold statement to get attention.

14. Copper Cow Coffee

"To sustainably support and share the vibrant heritage of Vietnamese coffee."

Once you try Vietnamese coffee, consider yourself ruined for all other coffee. It's an especially painful love affair because Vietnamese is hard to find, a struggle that Copper Cow Coffee is solving and acknowledging in its mission statement.

By tapping into the increasing interest in specialty and origin-specific coffee, as well as the growing demand for sustainable and ethically sourced products, Copper Coffee Cow appeals to customers who seek a meaningful and conscious coffee experience. 

And it's not all talk. Copper Coffee Cow works with sustainable and organic farms in Vietnam and pays its farmers two times the market rate.

If you're gonna talk the talk, you better walk the walk. 

Stay true to your values in your mission statement because they're also the values of your ideal customer.

"NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives."

You may think advocacy, education, support, and public awareness are all pretty similar components, but they each serve a distinct purpose within NAMI . From public policy to education programs, NAMI has a wide sweep of ways they empower individuals with tools and resources. 

And not only does the organization support individuals with mental illness, but it also helps affected families. This inclusivity ensures no one is left behind, plus its DEI initiatives back it up.

Call out the pillars of your organization if they serve different purposes.

If your brand is inclusive, your mission statement should be too.

"We encourage integrity, kindness, equality, confidence, and respect during all stages of any relationship — whether online or offline."

If you know anything about how Whitney Wolfe Herd founded Bumble , you'd know that this mission statement makes total sense. Bumble is different from other dating platforms, and that's emphasized here. 

Where other tech companies might shy away from declarations of kindness and equality, Bumble commits to making its app a safe space. It also perfectly aligns with user needs, especially in an era where online dating horror stories are common party fodder. 

Commit to providing what your customer needs. 

Embrace your differences from the competition .

17. Red Hat

"To be the catalyst in communities of customers, contributors, and partners creating better technology the open source way."

You know this mission statement is meaningful because one person didn't just throw it together in an afternoon—over 400 Red Hatters put their heads together to clearly define the software's role. 

And you have to admire the tip of the hat (sorry) to the software's open source technology reflected both in the wording and the sheer number of contributors to the mission statement.

A mission statement benefits from collaboration.

Clever nods to what your company does can create a unified, branded experience.

18. Cadence

"To reset people's expectations of their products."

You ever spend a ridiculous amount of money on travel-sized products just to have them leak in your bag? Like many other people, I thought that was just how it was. But Cadence challenges that expectation with its product and mission statement. 

The company's magnetic, leakproof travel containers are really cool, but its mission statement expands beyond this one product with a message of innovation and pushing the boundaries of what's considered normal. Not only does this let the brand grow, but it also disrupts the status quo. 

Challenge the norm to capture the attention of discerning customers. 

Explain the ways your brand disrupts your industry. 

19. Lasagna Love

"Feed families, spread kindness, and strengthen communities."

It's not all about speaking to the customer with mission statements. Sometimes you need to speak to potential volunteers or donors, like Lasagna Love does. 

By embodying values like kindness and community building, the mission statement attracts volunteers and donors who align with Lasagna Love's purpose, leading to a more engaged and supportive network. 

It's also clear and concise by getting straight to the point while still hitting on the values that matter. 

Appeals to your values work well when speaking to a non-consumer audience.

Break your mission statement down until it gets straight to the point.

20. Smart Charge America

"To make the entire process of purchasing, installing and servicing your new home charging station as seamless and effortless as possible."

The process of switching to an electric car is overwhelming. Sure, you can buy an electric car from a dealer, but then what? Smart Charge America answers that question with its business model and mission statement.

Smart Charge America addresses each stage of the home charging station process and assures its customers that they'll be supported throughout their journey. It puts customers at ease and establishes the brand as a one-stop shop. This branding appeals to the convenience and efficiency the target market is looking for in the space.

If the buying journey is a stressful one, reassure the customer in your mission statement. 

You don't have to explicitly state your values for them to come through.

"To give everyone the opportunity to pack up their stuff and hit the road with bags and accessories that wouldn't break the bank."

A lot of bags remind me of women's jeans—where are the pockets? BÉIS's products are the exception. 

Even better, this isn't a "collect them all" brand. One duffle bag can go from a work bag to a gym bag to a carry-on. Their products are truly designed to be multifunctional, making it super easy to pack your stuff up and hit the road like the mission statement suggests. 

And since their products are so versatile and affordable, they stay true to the promise of not breaking the bank either. 

Take what's great about your product and conceptualize it into a lifestyle. 

If you're filling a gap in the market, let that be known.

22. Uncle Bobbie's Coffee & Books

"To provide underserved communities with access to books and a space where everyone feels valued."

I have a soft spot for bookstores, and this one has a special hold on me with its ability to cultivate a welcoming space in one little mission statement. In combination with the name, this mission statement lets you imagine a place where you can go to gather and belong (in the presence of some good books too). 

And with events like author talks and weekly story time, Uncle Bobbie's Coffee & Books is just that kind of place. Its mission statement also conveys the community impact it makes on underserved communities with the who and how outlined. 

Convey the vibe your business provides for its patrons. 

If you make a community impact, make it clear who and how you impact.

"We're on a mission to make automation work for everyone."

Zapier's inclusive language of making automation work for everyone does two things. First, it communicates the belief that automation should be accessible and beneficial for individuals and businesses of all sizes, regardless of technical expertise or resources. 

Secondly, it has a scalable impact. By striving for broad adoption and usage, Zapier has the potential to transform entire industries, leveling the playing field and allowing businesses of every shape and size to reap the rewards of automation.

Inclusive language can communicate your beliefs for you.

Broad language opens the door for scaling in the future.

Mission statement FAQ

Have a few more burning questions about mission statements? Check out these answers to the most common ones.

How long should a mission statement be?

A mission statement should be somewhere around one to three sentences. This ensures it's concise and focused, making it memorable and impactful.

Why is a mission statement important?

A mission statement is important because it's a compass for an organization, defining its purpose and values. A well-crafted mission statement communicates your unique value proposition to customers and aligns employees toward a common goal.

What are the components of a mission statement?

The components of a mission statement include your purpose, values, and target audience. In other words, you want to break down the what, why, and who of your business. 

These mission statement examples aren't the end-all-be-all of how you can craft your own, but they're a great place to start. To make your actions speak louder than words, learn how to make your brand more socially responsible . 

Related reading:

The role your customers should play in your business

Business startup checklist: launching a startup step by step

How to start an eCommerce business: A step-by-step guide

5 ways to cut out busywork with automation

Get productivity tips delivered straight to your inbox

We’ll email you 1-3 times per week—and never share your information.

Cecilia Gillen

Cecilia is a content marketer with a degree in Media and Journalism from the University of South Dakota. After graduating, Cecilia moved to Omaha, Nebraska where she enjoys reading (almost as much as book buying), decor hunting at garage sales, and spending time with her two cats.

• Small business

Related articles

How to create a sales plan (and 3 templates that do it for you)

How to create a sales plan (and 3 templates...

How to build a B2B prospecting list for cold email campaigns

How to build a B2B prospecting list for cold...

The only Gantt chart template you'll ever need for Excel (and how to automate it)

The only Gantt chart template you'll ever...

6 ways to break down organizational silos

Improve your productivity automatically. Use Zapier to get your apps working together.

Starting a Business | Tip List

16 Small Business Mission Statement Examples & Why They Inspire

Published April 17, 2023

Published Apr 17, 2023

REVIEWED BY: Elizabeth Kraus

WRITTEN BY: Audrey Rawnie Rico

Get Your Free Ebook

Your Privacy is important to us.

Starting A Business?

• 1 Asimi Studio
• 2 Rumble Coffee
• 3 Curbside Landscape
• 6 Ocean House
• 7 Ivory & Deene
• 8 Mermaid Car Wash
• 9 Mission Pawsible
• 10 Axiology
• 11 Studio 7 Interior Design
• 12 Naturepedic
• 13 Courtney Carolyn Photography
• 15 Ventana Surfboards & Supplies
• 16 Grounds & Greens
• 17 Mission Statement Best Practices
• 18 Frequently Asked Questions

A mission statement is a short, meaningful summary of the primary purpose of your business; in other words, why you do what you do. The best examples showcase a brand’s identity, resonate with the target audience, and can even be used to guide business decisions. We rounded up over a dozen of the best small business mission statement examples to inspire you and explain why they work.

1. Asimi Studio

Mission statement: “Curating timeless pieces that empower and fill you with confidence.” Why it works : It taps into human emotions.

Asimi Studio’s mission statement (Source: Asimi Studio )

Independent jewelry brand Asimi Jewellery designs jewelry pieces, but the company’s mission goes beyond just creating accessories. As their website states, the brand’s mission is to create pieces that empower their customers and bring them confidence.

It works because it taps into fundamental human emotions. This is especially helpful for products like jewelry, which often carry sentimental value. As a creative enterprise, it can also help guide everything from jewelry creation to how the brand communicates with customers. On a public-facing level, it also influences the brand story and supports its marketing strategies.

2. Rumble Coffee

Mission statement: “Creating a sustainable future for coffee.” Why it works: It’s concise, ambitious, and altruistic.

Rumble Coffee’s mission statement (Source: Rumble Coffee )

This small business mission statement example above acts as the guiding principle for the entire organization at Rumble Coffee. It’s straightforward but ambitious and altruistic in the intent to support earth-friendly coffee-growing practices. This also serves as the company’s central grounding principle, guiding the rest of the business’ traits, ethics, and standards of operation.

It works by keeping things simple and clear while setting a long-term goal to motivate employees. It creates a strong identity for the brand, helping it stand out from other coffee businesses while attracting team members and customers who align with the brand’s mission and driving principles.

3. Curbside Landscape

Mission statement: “To be recognized for quality, creativity, and, above all, fairness in the delivery of professional service.” Why it works : It sets expectations for the customer experience.

Curbside Landscape’s mission statement (Source: Curbside Landscape )

For service-based businesses, the best company mission statement examples clearly show the top-notch services customers can expect. This is demonstrated in the landscaping business Curbside Landscape’s value-driven goal: to be recognized for quality, creativity, and fairness.

This precise statement sets a clear goal for how the company performs its services. Similarly, it gives customers an equally clear expectation of the outcome they can expect from the business, which helps build brand recognition and affinity.

Mission statement: We take everyday boring items and—with a bit of magic and extreme imagination—turn them into lifestyle & fashion accessories you’ll be psyched to wear. Why it works: It creates anticipation with the customer.

Burga’s mission statement (Source: Burga )

Burga has one of the best small business mission statement examples as far as a conversational language that paints a picture. It explains that the company can take otherwise mundane gadgets and accessories and turn them into products customers are excited to use and wear.

The tone reflects the company’s fun, youthful brand voice, directly appealing to its target audience of young adults. Overall, Burga’s mission statement is an excellent combination of company description, business goal, and brand personality, all in a single, memorable sentence.

Mission statement : “To provide a “Next Level” superior brand of functional, healthy, natural tea-based products crafted to appeal to and to assist today’s health-conscious, on-the-go consumer in achieving the healthy body” Why it works: It clearly defines the target audience.

FitTea’s mission statement (Source: FitTea )

If you have a product that caters to a specific customer persona , identifying them in your branding can help you connect with them more easily, like with FitTea’s example. FitTea’s target consumers are health-conscious individuals looking for products to create a healthier diet and lifestyle, and this is clearly reflected in the company’s mission statement.

Beyond clearly defining who the business’ products are aimed at, the mission statement also demonstrates that the company cares about its customers first and foremost. This makes the mission statement extra useful when crafting marketing strategies.

6. Ocean House

Mission statement: “ Ocean House, with its unique sense of history and place, is devoted to creating enduring relationships with our guests and members by providing highly personalized service and gracious hospitality in an informally elegant setting.” Why it works: It outlines the business’ unique selling points (USPs).

Ocean House’s mission statement (Source: Ocean House )

Your mission is an integral part of your brand identity that can help your business stand out from the competition. This is especially true for service businesses, like the Rhode Island-based Ocean House hotel. The area has hundreds of hotels and resorts, so Ocean House distinctly outlines the company’s goal: to create enduring relationships with guests via personalized service.

As with all good mission statement examples, Ocean House’s statement applies to both their staff members and customers. It provides a clear guideline for their team’s service quality and gives customers an overview of what they can expect from the establishment.

Not sure what your brand’s unique selling point is? Read our guide with examples and a free template to help you develop a unique selling proposition for your small business.

7. Ivory & Deene

Mission statement: “Collaborating with you to curate beautiful spaces for your people. Rooms where memories are woven, ideas are birthed, and joy is deepened.” Why it works: It speaks directly to customers’ aspirations for beautiful, distinctive home furnishings and decor.

Ivory & Deene’s mission statement (Source: Ivory & Deene )

Furniture and decor store Ivory & Deene showcases another example of how to bring out the human-relatable aspects of a company. Essentially, the company curates affordable luxury home furniture, and its mission illustrates why this is meaningful—to create beautiful spaces where families can connect and share memories.

This taps into relatable human experiences, keeping customers interested in their brand. It also speaks directly to readers, allowing them to connect easier with site visitors and convert them into potential leads . Finally, it’s also action-oriented and aspirational in tone, giving customers a glimpse into the dream lifestyle they can achieve with the brand.

8. Mermaid Car Wash

Mission statement: “To provide the best car wash experience at the best value possible” Why it works: It communicates the product provides a high value for the cost.

Mermaid Car Wash’s mission statement (Source: Mermaid Car Wash )

As the saying goes, “money talks.” Value-oriented statements can be seen in many of the best company mission statement examples. Mermaid Car Wash is a prime instance of communicating a clear and attainable goal that the company can easily follow and operate on to provide the best possible product for the money.

Not only does it serve as a clear driving purpose for employees, but it’s also helpful as a grounding principle to guide business decisions. It’s simple, no-frills, and easy to remember—which also boosts the service’s credibility and trustworthiness to customers.

9. Mission Pawsible

Mission statement: “ To create beautifully hand-crafted pet products that support the local community through employment and ethical supply chains and animals in need. “ Why it works: It emphasizes community impact and corporate social responsibility.

Mission Pawsible’s mission statement (Source: Mission Pawsible )

Your mission is also a great place to communicate your brand’s community impact and social responsibility. It demonstrates that your business is principled, follows best practices, and is willing to invest in the well-being of the community served as well as the industry overall.

Like many of the best company mission statement examples, Mission Pawsible says what it does in a concise way: creating handcrafted pet products. However, it stands out by emphasizing its ethical and social responsibility, which underlines the brand’s relevance to its community.

10. Axiology

Mission statement: “ To end plastic waste in beauty” Why it works: It’s anchored in eco-friendly advocacy.

Axiology’s mission statement (Source: Axiology )

As with highlighting community impact, your small business mission statement can also be anchored on wider advocacy, as with the sustainable beauty brand Axiology. With today’s customers growing more eco-conscious than ever in their buying habits— 44% of consumers are more likely to buy from brands committed to sustainability—more brands are shifting toward an environmentally-friendly approach to business.

If you have an underlying advocacy behind your small business, leading with it in your mission statement accentuates your social relevance and differentiates you from others in the market. Finally, it also helps connect you with similar-minded consumers who can act as ambassadors for your brand and your advocacy.

11. Studio 7 Interior Design

Mission statement: “Studio 7 Interior Design is dedicated to creating interiors that reflect our client’s personality and lifestyle, by capturing their design dreams and making them a reality.” Why it works: It provides a bridge that gets the customer from where they are to where they want to be.

Studio 7 Interior Design’s mission statement (Source: Studio 7 Interior design )

Good mission statements are instantly understandable and relatable to a brand’s target audience, especially for small businesses. Because it’s a significant part of your brand’s public identity, it must immediately relate to your target customers. One of the best company mission statement examples that exemplify this is that of Studio 7 Interior Design.

Their mission statement is straightforward and comprehensive. However, it stands out by directly addressing their target clients’ desires and ambitions and centers on them as the brand’s driving purpose. It can help potential customers achieve the vision they want for interior spaces or results the customer wants but knows they can’t achieve on their own.

12. Naturepedic

Mission statement: “To transform the lives of our customers through safer, healthier sleep.” Why it works: It speaks to improving a fundamental and universal aspect of health and well-being.

Naturepedic’s mission statement (Source: Naturepedic )

Naturepedic offers a good example of how to outline the essential benefits customers get with your product. The Naturepedic company produces organic mattresses, which is a niche product; however, the brand’s mission talks about how it benefits people—in this case, by improving the safety and health of the customer.

With this, the brand appeals to everyday people by demonstrating how their lives can improve with the product, which is also how it captures people’s interests. Internally, it also serves as a guiding principle for the company’s operations and product standards.

13. Courtney Carolyn Photography

Mission statement: “To provide tangible evidence of the love that exists in people’s lives through beautiful imagery.” Why it works: It gives the personal brand a unique identity.

Courtney Carolyn Photography’s mission statement (Source: Courtney Carolyn Photography )

For personal brands like photographers, having a distinctive goal behind the work communicates what they can do and what makes their work special. An example of this is photographer Courtney Carolyn. As a photographer, customers are already familiar with the services they can expect; however, with a mission statement, she can build a unique identity for her brand.

The idea that you can capture the “true love” of a family, couple, or friends in imagery and turn it into lasting proof is a powerful one. For those just launching out together in life or celebrating important milestones, it’s a compelling reason to choose this photographer over other options.

Mission statement: “We want to give people with kinky, curly hair gentle, effective solutions for dry scalp and brittle hair.” Why it works: It calls out the customer’s pain point and offers a solution.

LivSo’s mission statement (Source: LivSo )

People like to feel seen and understood by the brands they buy from. If your brand serves a niche market, you can speak directly to them in your corporate and product messaging. This is another example of how you can call out human aspects of your brand that will be the most relatable part of the business to customers.

Haircare brand LivSo’s mission statement is an excellent example of this. It directly attracts the target audience by identifying specific pain points and then offering attainable solutions. It’s a value proposition that’s instantly empathetic and accessible to customers. Plus, it shows the brand places high value on delivering a good customer experience.

15. Ventana Surfboards & Supplies

Mission statement: “To be the most environmentally responsible surf company on the planet” Why it works: It identifies its niche and sticks to it.

Ventana Surfboards & Supplies mission statement (Source: Ventana Surfboards & Supplies )

Staying ahead of the competition is tough for any small business, but identifying what makes yours unique in marketing slogans is a guaranteed way to stand out. This is precisely what makes Ventana Surfboards a perfect addition to this list of the best small business mission statement examples.

It’s concise and stands out by identifying its specific niche audience—environmentally responsible surfers—and strives to be the best in it. This makes it easy to remember while giving the company a substantive and relevant goal to work toward. It also gives customers a clear idea of the company’s identity, purpose, and values.

16. Grounds & Greens

Mission statement: Dedicated to building a community that will embrace a plant-based lifestyle Why it works: It defines a specific aspirational lifestyle.

Grounds & Greens’ mission statement (Source: Grounds & Greens )

While it doesn’t explicitly mention dietary designations like Vegans and Vegetarians, Grounds & Greens’ mission still effectively speaks to a specific audience. It does this by defining a specific kind of aspirational lifestyle—in this case, those looking to live a plant-based lifestyle.

This differs from other brand slogans that directly mention the target market, in the sense that it’s more inclusive. Instead of identifying particular traits, the brand projects a particular aspirational way of living that customers can align themselves to and therefore become part of their target market.

Your mission statement is just one of the guiding principles you’ll need to write as you build your brand. Check out the others you’ll have to complete, as well:

• Vision Statement :  an aspirational goal you and your employees strive towards
• Brand Positioning Statement :  the summary of how your brand stands out in the market, including your unique selling position

Mission Statement Example Takeaways

Your mission should play an influential role in shaping your business identity, both internally and in public. As illustrated by the small business mission statement examples above, you can use some specific takeaways to craft a compelling one for your brand:

• Keep it straightforward and brief: Readers should be able to understand your mission at first read. Stick to your one overarching goal, use simple, clear language, and don’t crowd it with unnecessary details.
• Highlight relevance: Whether your business’ relevance applies to your target audience, your local community, or the environment, include it in your statement. This tells the reader “what’s in it” for them.
• Help your audience self-identify: If your audience is a specific one, identifying them directly in your mission makes it easier for them to know they’ve found the right brand to do business with.
• Identify what makes you unique: If your business has unique traits that help you stand out from others, such as specialty services or particular advocacies, including them in your mission statement helps you build a stronger brand and identity for your business.
• Be action-oriented: Your mission should motivate your team to pursue a particular goal. Make it action-oriented and include at least one action word, e.g., “to create,” “to change,” “to provide,” and so on.
• Keep it specific: Even if your mission is ambitious and long term, keep it as specific as possible. The more specific your mission statement is, the more influential it becomes and the more attainable it is to your team members.
• Make it aspirational: Conveying a non-business purpose for your company’s existence can be powerful in persuading prospects to choose you over your competitors. Examples include motivations like sustainability, givebacks, social responsibility, eco or earth-friendliness, and so on.

Pro tip: Don’t have a clear mission statement for your business yet? Check out our guide on how to write a mission statement , along with a free template you can download and use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a good mission statement.

A good mission statement conveys a clear and achievable goal, why it matters, a sense of action, and compelling motivation—all wrapped up in a concise, memorable phrase. Other characteristics often reflected in good company mission statement examples include a defined target audience, a human or emotional aspect, or socially relevant advocacy, among others.

What are the parts of a mission statement?

The parts of a mission statement are the business’ purpose or overarching goal, what it does to achieve that goal, and its relevance to others (e.g., customers, community, society, industry, nation, world, and so on). While mission statements can also include other parts and characteristics, these three components are the most essential to craft an effective business mission statement.

How do I write a mission statement?

To write a mission statement, identify your driving purpose by answering questions and gathering ideas about your business. Then, create a draft of your statement that includes your purpose, as well as your business’ actions and its relevance. Gather feedback and edit your statement until it’s polished, then share it with your team members and the public. Follow more detailed steps on how to write a mission statement with our step-by-step guide and template.

Bottom Line

A mission statement is a must-have for any small business. They are essential components of your brand’s identity and can help guide everything from internal operations to how you interact with customers and your company’s short and long-term business decisions. The examples above exemplify all these to inspire you as you write your own.

About the Author

Find Audrey Rawnie On LinkedIn

Audrey Rawnie Rico

Audrey is always thrilled to help small businesses in their marketing efforts. She has spent the past five years doing content marketing, content writing, and video production for startups and small businesses around the globe. She’s passionate about helping small businesses grow their online brand presence through digital marketing.

Join Fit Small Business

Sign up to receive more well-researched small business articles and topics in your inbox, personalized for you. Select the newsletters you’re interested in below.

More Like this

52 mission statement examples that rock + free mission guide.

In this article, we will define ‘what is a mission statement’, briefly highlight the essentials of creating a strong mission statement and show you some of the best mission statement examples from top organizations around the world.

What is a mission statement and its purpose?

Remember that a mission statement explains why your organization exists . It is a foundational element of your plan that establishes your core purpose and who you serve! A great mission statement stands the test of time, guiding more temporary and time-specific goals and plans. This, paired with a bold vision statement will serve as a strong foundation to your strategic plan.

For a mission statement to provide clarity, we recommend writing it with concrete language. We recommend avoiding abstract fluff that might sound good on the surface but does not help your team understand the “why” behind their work. We also recommend writing it in the present tense. This differentiates it from a vision statement, which is focused on the future. A mission statement should be timeless (or as close to it as possible). Writing it in the present tense helps capture that.

What are the benefits of a mission statement?

When it comes to strategic planning for your organization, you can’t underestimate the importance of having a clear and concise mission statement. Not only does it help provide direction and focus for your team and tells your customer base and community who you are and what you stand for. A well-crafted mission statement is the foundation for your overall strategy and decision-making.

By outlining your mission statement, you’re laying the groundwork for everything that follows. You’re setting the tone for your vision for your organization and the values you want to uphold. That can be a powerful tool for making decisions and setting priorities for the company’s future.

So, if you haven’t already drafted a mission statement, now is the time to start! It may take some time and thought, but the benefits will be well worth it in the long run.

What makes a great mission statement?

OnStrategy strongly believes in creating a mission statement that speaks to who you are and why you exist as an organization. We believe great mission statements should be audacious, motivating, and memorable.

This is because, as we’ve stated before, your mission statement reflects the best of you and serves as the foundation of your business or organization. Mission statements boldly state why you exist and do what you do – not only for your team and those doing the work but for your community and customers whose support you’re striving to capture.

We’ve crafted a mission statement cheat sheet that outlines the four criteria that every mission statement should meet:

• Your mission statement should be foundational
• Your mission statement should be original
• All mission statements should be memorable
• And bonus points if your mission statement is something you’d want represented on a t-shirt!

Pulling Together Your Mission Statement with the Help of OnStrategy’s Cheat Sheet [With Examples]

Check out our mission statement cheat sheet below for a downloadable guide to build your mission statement.

Video Transcript – How to Write a Mission Statement- The Virtual Strategist

Hi, my name’s Erica Olsen. Today’s whiteboard session is on how to write a mission statement. Mission statements are foundational to any strategic plan. You normally build one after you develop your SWAT and before you go into the rest of your planning process. It’s foundational because it answers the question, why do we exist?

It (a mission statement) clearly explains the space that we play and what’s in and what’s out of what we do, and it’s not where we’re going, which is vision. So let’s break it down. We use this example to explain the components of a mission statement. We use this checklist to talk about what makes a good mission statement, and we’ll walk through a simple process to create yours.

So let’s jump in. The example we have up here is Google’s, and we love using Google’s, Google’s examples because they’re, they’re great and why not [00:01:00] borrow from the best? So starting with our mission, I’d like to start it with our mission cuz it gives us a place to, to go and keeps us thinking about mission.

You might get rid of it later, but start it there. Uh, it has a verb with present tense to organize. We explain what we do, organize the world’s information for whom, in this case, the world, and what’s the benefit to us existing? What’s the benefit to the world to make? Information universally accessible and useful, really straightforward.

We know mission statements are not that easy to write, so here’s a checklist to make sure that yours is great. Starting with it needs to be original. This is really clearly original to Google. They didn’t rip it off from somebody else. It doesn’t sound like anybody else’s mission statement or company vision statement. If it sounds like Google’s mission statement, so make sure yours is original.

It’s foundational. I already mentioned that, but you don’t wanna change it. All the time. Maybe a few word tweaks, but ideally [00:02:00] not. You want a mission statement that sustains over time, so it needs to be foundational. Connect with staff a great mission statement, and you know, yours is great. When every single staff member wakes up in the morning and knows that their purpose and the reason they come to work every day is expressed in your mission statement, and to do that, it needs to be memorable.

Memorable means short and concise, and of course, that’s the balance to strike with a great mission statement. So here’s your litmus test. It needs to fit on a T-shirt, and your staff would wear it if it achieves those two goals. You know, you’ve got a great mission statement, so how do you write one?

Sometimes it can be hard, so it’s great to get input or ideas from your organization. So gather staff input if you’d like, via survey or maybe focus groups. Take all that information, synthesize it down, and create a couple of versions. You can do it yourself. Or use one of those folks in your organization who loves to copyright and have them write a [00:03:00] couple of different versions.

Take those versions and either have your planning team pick one or put them out to your organization and have people vote on them. So that simple process will help you not, uh, go in all kinds of different directions and spend forever doing mission statement development. With that, I hope this helps you write yours. [00:03:21] Thanks for tuning in.

If you want to learn more on determining what is a mission statement that’s effective and how to write a mission statement that inspires, check out our guide!

Anatomy of an Effective Mission Statement

A mission statement is a powerful way to tell your board members, team and your customers who you are and why you exist – ideally in two sentences or less! Your company’s mission statement describes, essentially, your company’s core values and company’s purpose for existing today.

Maybe your organization believes that your business exists to provide outstanding customer service to all who walk through your door. Your employees will now know that your company’s identity revolves around providing the best customer service possible.

This process of creating a compelling mission statement may feel daunting, but don’t worry! By following our simple anatomy of a mission statement, you can easily put one together that truly defines your mission and purpose.

Every mission statement must have these five basic elements:

• A label such as, “Our mission…”
• A verb in the present tense.
• For whom you’re doing this for.
• A result or benefit of the work you do.
• What you do and how you do it.

For example, yours may end up looking like this: “Our mission is to make our clients successful by merging remarkable digital design and goal-focused usability.

Read our free canvas and guide for a deeper dive into the topic!

Mission Statement Versus Vision Statement Versus Values Statement: What’s the difference?

Vision statement.

A vision statement describes your clear vision of the future; your ambitions. Vision statements clearly state what your organization looks like in the future. Vision statement focuses on the big picture outcome, usually 5+ years in the future. [Check out our vision statement examples here. ]

Mission Statements

A good mission statement clearly explains why you exist and what your organization’s purpose for existing is. A company mission statement also expressly states who you serve and how potential customers benefit from your work.

Values Statements

Values statements are an expression about how you expect your team to behave. They explain the values, beliefs, and experiences you expect to create within your organization.

Using Your Mission Statements, Vision Statements, and Values Statements Together

These three important plan elements aren’t meant to live as standalone items. They are designed to be used together! Mission and vision statements help your organization clearly articulate why you exist, who you serve, and where you’re going in the future. Your values statements help support your own mission and vision statment by expressing how you expect your organization to behave along the journey! When in doubt, remember these three tips:

• Mission statement = why you exist.
• Vision statement = where you’re going in the future.
• Values statements = set of behaviors you expect from your team. you expect your team to behave.

When to know it’s time to update your mission statement?

As you move forward on your strategic planning process, maybe you’ve decided to revisit your mission statement. If you read it and thought, “Wait, that doesn’t really align with what we’re doing anymore, ” it may be time for an update. And that’s okay! It happens more often than you might think.

Your company constantly evolves and grows, so your mission statement must reflect those changes. Some signs that it’s time to hit refresh on your mission statement include:

• Huge shifts in your customer or target audience
• Major changes in your organization’s goals and approach
• A total rebrand

Remember, your mission statement should guide and inspire your business, so it’s essential to keep it relevant and meaningful! They have a shelf life of about 10-15 years.

A clear and concise mission statement can give your employees and customers a sense of direction and purpose. So, if you feel like your current mission statement is a little outdated or doesn’t reflect who you are as an organization, it might be time for a refresh.

Check out our 52 mission statement examples from some of the world’s best companies and organizations for inspiration!

52 Mission Statement Examples

Learning general principles for how to write a mission statement is helpful. However, these principles can become clearer by looking at some examples of mission statements. As you check out some of these mission statement examples from various types of organizations, notice how there are various ways to make your mission statement unique while sharing the tried-and-true principles of good mission statements:

Example Mission Statements for For-Profit Companies

Tesla: “Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to renewable energy.”

Starbucks “To inspire and nurture the human spirit- one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time.”

Coca-Cola: “The Coca-Cola Company exists to benefit and refresh everyone who is touched by our business.”

The Home Depot: “The Home Depot is in the home improvement business, and our goal is to provide the highest level of service, the broadest selection of products, and the most competitive prices.”

The Boeing Company, Africa Division: “Our mission is to establish a powerful presence and positive image of The Boeing Company with governments, businesses, and community leaders.”

Nike: “Our mission is to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world. *If you have a body, you are an athlete.”

John Deere: “Double and Double Again the John Deere Experience of Genuine Value for Employees, Customers and Shareholders.”

Publix: “Our Mission at Publix is to be the premier quality food retailer in the world.”

Aveda: “Our mission at Aveda is to care for the world we live in, from the products we make to the ways in which we give back to society. At Aveda, we strive to set an example for environmental leadership and responsibility, not just in the world of beauty but around the world.”

General Motors: “General Motors’ corporate mission is to earn customers for life by building brands that inspire passion and loyalty through not only breakthrough technologies but also by serving and improving the communities in which we live and work around the world.”

New Leaf Paper: “The mission of New Leaf Paper is to be the leading national source for environmentally responsible, economically sound paper.”

Nordstrom: “Our mission is to continue our dedication to providing a unique range of products, exceptional customer service, and great experiences.”

Seventh Generation: “Seventh Generation is the nation’s leading brand of non-toxic and environmentally safe household products.”

Get the Free Guide and Canvas to Build a Mission that Sticks

Example mission statements for non-profits.

UNICEF: “UNICEF promotes the rights and well-being of every child, in everything we do.”

ACLU of San Diego: “To protect and expand fairness, equity, and freedom through community engagement, building power, policy advocacy, and impact litigation.”

Red Cross: “To provide compassionate care to victims of disasters.”

TED Talk: “Spread ideas. Make great ideas accessible and spark conversation.”

Girl Scouts of America: “Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.”

Operation Underground Railroad: “We exist to rescue children from sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.”

Goodwill: “To enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, eliminating barriers to opportunity, and helping people in need reach their full potential through learning and the power of work.”

Alzheimer’s Association: “Through our many initiatives and worldwide reach, the Alzheimer’s Association leads the charge in Alzheimer’s care, support, research and advocacy.”

Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts: “To cultivate exceptional performing arts experiences in our historic venue and throughout the region.”

ASPCA, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: “To provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.”

Mission Statement Examples for Software Companies

OnStrategy: “Our mission is to create strategy that matters and drive the culture to execute it.”

LinkedIn: “To connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful.”

Equifax Business Services: “To serve our customers by utilizing information and technology that provide real-time answers to increasingly complex questions.”

Google: “To organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.”

Amazon: “We strive to offer our customers the lowest possible prices, the best available selection, and the utmost convenience.”

Duolingo: “We’re here to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available. Our global team works together to make language learning fun, free, and effective for anyone who wants to learn, wherever they are.”

Hulu: “To help people find and enjoy the world’s premium video content when, where and how they want it.”

Microsoft: “Our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.”

TikTok “ Our mission is to capture and present the world’s creativity, knowledge, and moments that matter in everyday life.”

Vivint: “Vivint helps families live intelligently in safer, smarter homes.”

Example Mission Statements for Healthcare Organizations

CVS: “Helping people on their path to better health.”

Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center of Northern Nevada: “To deliver compassionate, quality care to patients and better healthcare to communities.”

Northern Nevada Hopes: “Our mission is to build a healthier community by providing affordable, high-quality medical, behavioral health, and support services for all.”

Pfizer Pharmaceuticals: “We will become the world’s most valued company to patients, customers, colleagues, investors, business partners, and the communities where we work and live.”

The WellPoint Companies: “The WellPoint Companies provide health security by offering a choice of quality branded health and related financial services designed to meet the changing expectations of individuals, families, and their sponsors throughout a lifelong relationship.”

New York-Presbyterian Hospital: “It is the mission of New York-Presbyterian Hospital to be a leader in the provision of world-class patient care, teaching, research, and service to local, state, national, and international communities.”

The Center for Disease Control: “CDC works 24/7 to protect America from health, safety, and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease and supports communities and citizens to do the same.”

Valley OB/GYN: “At Valley OBGYN, we strive to provide quality comprehensive patient-centered women’s care here in Spokane Valley.”

The American Psychological Association: “Our mission is to promote the advancement, communication, and application of psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improve lives.”

Dentistry for Children: “Dentistry for Children believes that good dental health starts in infancy. Our dedicated pediatric dentists and teen dental specialists promote cavity prevention and good dental habits to help create a positive experience at an early age and into their adolescent years.”

Mission Statement Examples for Governments and/or Government Entities

The City of Windsor, Canada: “The City of Windsor, with the involvement of its citizens, will deliver effective and responsive municipal services, and will mobilize innovative community partnerships.”

Cliffside Park, New Jersey Police Department: “The Cliffside Park Police Department is committed to providing a safe and peaceful environment in the Borough of Cliffside Park through effective and impartial law enforcement.”

Fire Department New York: “As first responders to fires, public safety and medical emergencies, disasters, and terrorist acts, FDNY protects the lives and property of New York City residents and visitors. The Department advances public safety through its fire prevention, investigation, and education programs. The timely delivery of these services enables the FDNY to make significant contributions to the safety of New York City and homeland security efforts.”

Municipal Court of Lakeview, Texas: “Our mission is to provide an impartial, unbiased, fair, and respectful forum for the trials of all Class C misdemeanor Penal Code offenses, Health and Safety Code offenses, Alcoholic Beverage Code offenses, City Ordinance offenses, as well as to preside over administrative and civil proceedings, as authorized by state law.”

Albany, Georgia: “The City of Albany delivers fiscally responsible, highly dependable services to the citizens in the community and the region with integrity and professionalism.”

Chicago Public Library: “We welcome and support all people in their enjoyment of reading and pursuit of lifelong learning. Working together, we strive to provide equal access to information, ideas, and knowledge through books, programs, and other resources.”

Seattle, Washington City Clerk: “Provide consistent high-level services which promote and strengthen a world-class government prepared to meet the emerging needs of the 21st century. Ultimately, improving the quality of life for individuals (and the community at large) by being one of the top-tier local government agencies in our nation and by building on our interdisciplinary strengths.”

Michigan Civil Service Commission: “To provide innovative, effective, and timely HR consultation and services to attract, develop, and retain a workforce that is diverse, flexible, creative, and competent to meet the ever-changing needs of state government.”

City of Reno: “Creating a community that people are proud to call home.”

For a deep dive on Mission Statements, check out our post on all things mission.

What are the 5 components of a mission statement?

What is the purpose of a mission statement?

Remember that a mission statement explains why your organization exists. It is a foundational element of your plan that establishes your core purpose and who you serve!

Thanks a lot.

Thanks a lot

Comments Cancel

Join 60,000 other leaders engaged in transforming their organizations., subscribe to get the latest agile strategy best practices, free guides, case studies, and videos in your inbox every week..

Leading strategy? Join our FREE community.

Become a member of the chief strategy officer collaborative..

Free monthly sessions and exclusive content.

Do you want to 2x your impact.

Our Recommendations

• Best Small Business Loans for 2024
• Businessloans.com Review
• Biz2Credit Review
• SBG Funding Review
• Rapid Finance Review
• 26 Great Business Ideas for Entrepreneurs
• Startup Costs: How Much Cash Will You Need?
• How to Get a Bank Loan for Your Small Business
• Articles of Incorporation: What New Business Owners Should Know
• How to Choose the Best Legal Structure for Your Business

Small Business Resources

• Business Ideas
• Business Plans
• Startup Basics
• Startup Funding
• Franchising
• Success Stories
• Entrepreneurs
• The Best Credit Card Processors of 2024
• Clover Credit Card Processing Review
• Merchant One Review
• ProMerchant Review
• Stax Review
• How to Conduct a Market Analysis for Your Business
• Local Marketing Strategies for Success
• Tips for Hiring a Marketing Company
• Benefits of CRM Systems
• 10 Employee Recruitment Strategies for Success
• Sales & Marketing
• Social Media
• Best Business Phone Systems of 2024
• The Best PEOs of 2024
• RingCentral Review
• Nextiva Review
• Ooma Review
• Guide to Developing a Training Program for New Employees
• How Does 401(k) Matching Work for Employers?
• Why You Need to Create a Fantastic Workplace Culture
• 16 Cool Job Perks That Keep Employees Happy
• 7 Project Management Styles
• Women in Business
• Personal Growth
• Best Accounting Software and Invoice Generators of 2024
• Best Payroll Services for 2024
• Best POS Systems for 2024
• Best CRM Software of 2024
• Best Call Centers and Answering Services for Busineses for 2024
• Salesforce vs. HubSpot: Which CRM Is Right for Your Business?
• Rippling vs Gusto: An In-Depth Comparison
• RingCentral vs. Ooma Comparison
• Choosing a Business Phone System: A Buyer’s Guide
• Equipment Leasing: A Guide for Business Owners
• HR Solutions
• Financial Solutions
• Marketing Solutions
• Security Solutions
• Retail Solutions
• SMB Solutions

How to Write the Perfect Mission Statement (With Examples)

Table of Contents

Developing a mission statement is a lengthy process that involves the input of team members who fully understand your business, employees, customers, industry, and the products and services your company provides.

Once completed, your organization can share its mission statement so consumers, employees, investors and other stakeholders know precisely what your organization does (or doesn’t do), what it values and why it exists. Often a mission statement can help clarify an owner’s ideas about their business’s “whats” and “whys.”

We’ll explore mission statements, why companies need them, and how to craft the perfect mission statement for your organization. 

Establishing a company mission can create a better culture and increase employee engagement as everyone works toward a common goal.

What is a mission statement?

A mission statement is a declaration of what your company does and why it exists. This message is designed for internal and external audiences; it should ignite interest in the organization as it builds its brand .

The best mission statements have two primary objectives: 

• Educate: Mission statements educate by sharing what the organization does, how it does it and why.
• Inspire: If it’s a well-written mission statement, its second objective is to inspire. The best mission statements energize people to learn more about the brand and become supporters.

How to create a mission statement

When creating your mission statement, you’ll need to understand its essential components and ask probing questions to define precisely what your organization does and how. Finally, you’ll need to outline your organizational mission so it’s clear to everyone reading it. 

1. Include three essential components. 

According to Chris Bart, a retired professor of strategy and governance at McMaster University, a well-written mission statement has three essential components. Address each of these components when creating your mission statement:

• The business’s key market: Who is your customer base ? What industry does your business serve?
• The company’s contribution, or “what”: What product or service does your business offer? How does it better your local community or humanity?
• Distinctions between your solution and competing ones: What makes your product or service unique? Why should your audience buy your product over the competition’s?

2. Dig deeper to uniquely portray your business. 

While incorporating the essential elements, ask yourself – and your team – probing questions to truly understand who your business serves, what your organization does and how it works. Here are some questions to start with:  

• Why do we exist?
• What do we do?
• How do we use our products – or services – to achieve our goals?
• Who do we serve?
• How do we serve them?
• What do we do better than anyone else?
• What differentiates us from our competitors?
• How do our customers describe us?

3. Define your organizational mission. 

Creating an accurate, inspiring mission statement isn’t purely a philosophical exercise. It has to be practical, too. A mission statement must make sense to those who read it, whether they know about your organization or not.

Keep these four tips in mind as you define your organizational mission:

• Make the connection obvious: People unfamiliar with your company who read your mission statement should come away with a clear, concise understanding of what your organization does and why it exists.
• Be brief, yet informative: Keep the statement under 25 words. If it’s longer, people won’t read it or remember your company.
• Talk to stakeholders: Before finalizing your mission statement, speak to as many stakeholders as possible to see if it makes sense to them. Encourage feedback by seeking out board members’, long-time customers’ and trusted vendors’ opinions.
• Develop a long-term mission: This may be one of the more challenging aspects of writing a mission statement because defining what your organization is about today can be easier than providing predictions. However, you can update your long-term goals as  events and changes occur. 

Avoid common mission statement mistakes

Since your mission statement helps define your business, getting it right is crucial. Avoid these typical mistakes: 

• Using elaborate language: Avoid the pitfalls of “fancy” writing and using ambiguous words. Aim for clarity and brevity, and don’t make your mission statement overly formal. You want people to relate to it, not misunderstand it.
• Failing to update your statement as your business evolves . Revisit your mission statement over time to ensure it still resonates with your company’s current purpose. While it may seem like a clear, concise mission statement should cover all your bases – like any business-defining feature – it must also evolve as your business grows.

What do effective mission statements have in common? 

Effective mission statements are succinct and thoughtful.  

• Succinct: The more succinct your mission statement, the more likely it will resonate with audiences. A lengthy mission statement that’s challenging to remember can fall flat. A good test to see if your mission statement hits the mark is if your employees can recite it. For example, the mission statement of media organization TED, famous for its TED Talks, is “Spread ideas.” In two short words, TED outlines what it does and why people might be interested in learning more about it.
• Thoughtful: Other companies take a more creative, thoughtful approach. LEGO, whose mission statement, “Inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow,” clearly defines what the company does – inspire and develop – and who its target customers are – the builders of tomorrow. In 2009, LEGO’s CEO Jørgen Vig Knudstorp said, “We make very clear the values we promise everyone we interact with – whether they are colleagues, partners in retail, the wider community, or – most important of all, of course – the children we deeply care for.” Its mission is woven through the entire organization, which is when mission statements come to life.

When companies don’t have well-constructed mission statements (or any mission statement), customers, potential customers and the public are forced to identify for themselves what the company is and why it exists.

When a strong, compelling mission statement resonates with the entire organization, you give employees motivation that goes beyond money .

What’s the difference between mission and vision statements?

Mission statements and vision statements are both crucial, but they have different objectives. A mission statement is focused on today, while a vision statement is focused on the future – what you want to become and how you want to impact people. 

Here are some questions that will define your vision statement:

• What are the organization’s goals and dreams?
• What will the world look like if we are successful?
• What problem(s) is the organization solving for the greater good?
• Who and what are we inspiring to change over the long term?

To help understand how mission statements and vision statements differ, compare Airbnb’s mission and vision statements.

• Airbnb’s mission statement: “Belong anywhere.” This mission statement is short and to the point. The message conveys that you can stay anywhere in the world and feel included when doing business with Airbnb.
• Airbnb’s vision statement: “Tapping into the universal human yearning to belong – the desire to feel welcomed, respected, and appreciated for who you are, no matter where you might be.” This message taps into a larger picture of what a future could look like when the global community imbues Airbnb’s philosophy.

Examples of effective mission statements

Here are examples of effective mission statements from well-known brands. These mission statements briefly define the organization, its purpose and its impact on humanity:

• Nike: “To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world. If you have a body, you are an athlete.”
• JetBlue: “To inspire humanity – both in the air and on the ground.”
• Warby Parker: “To offer designer eyewear at a revolutionary price while leading the way for socially conscious business.”
• Tesla: “To accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.”
• LinkedIn: “Connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful.”
• Microsoft: Early days: “A computer on every desk and in every home.” Now: “To empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.”
• Disney: “To entertain, inform, and inspire people around the globe through the power of unparalleled storytelling.”
• Ford: “To help build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.”

Many effective mission statements focus on corporate social responsibility , appealing to their customers as they try to make the world a better place.

Finding your mission statement language

To get started, start tossing around words with trusted stakeholders. However, remember that you’re not looking for what “sounds good” as much as gaining clarity about what your business does. Brainstorm with others in low-stake sessions and see what language resonates with your brand. 

Remember that sounding good is important, but first you must define yourself. If your mission statement includes a nod to your business’s philosophy, values and culture of ethical behavior , the more benefits you’ll reap.

As with any other business plan or project, you may need to explore dozens of ideas before landing on your best fit. 

Patrick Proctor contributed to the writing and reporting in this article.

Building Better Businesses

Insights on business strategy and culture, right to your inbox. Part of the business.com network.

BUSINESS STRATEGIES

How to write a mission statement in 5 steps

• Joanna Kramer
• Feb 19, 2019

A mission statement is one of the most powerful tools you have for leading your business or organization to success. The trick is knowing how to craft the perfect one, before you start posting it around your office or on your business website . There are a few tips and tricks to nailing exactly the right wording to articulate your vision and values - to yourself, to your employees, and to your target audience. Let’s jump in and review what makes an effective mission statement and how to write one for your business or organization regardless of whether you're just starting your business or scaling. Plus, we’ve included seven excellent mission statement examples at the end for your very own inspiration.

What is a mission statement?

Let’s start with the basics. You’ve probably heard that a mission statement is the lifeblood of your business. But what really is it? A mission statement takes the ‘why’ of what you do and consolidates it into about one to two sentences (and no, a run-on sentence that’s the length of a paragraph does not qualify). This abbreviated expression of your values and purpose helps everyone who encounters your work to immediately understand what you’re all about (much like your elevator pitch ). It's different from an executive summary but still important to your business. And it serves to remind you and your employees why you continue walking in the door each morning.

A strong mission statement will contain four key elements:

Inspiration

Plausibility

Specificity

As in, readers will walk away understanding the value your works adds to the world or to their lives, feeling inspired to join your mission, convinced that your goal is achievable, and crystal clear on the nature of your business or organization. Once these four components are present, you’ve got yourself a mission statement that is dressed to impress.

Why your business needs a mission statement

The mission statement ingredients sound all well and good, but why exactly is it important for you to adopt one? There are both inward and outward-facing reasons. Internally, it acts as a guiding statement to frame all of your strategic business decisions. It’s easy to reference every time you need a reminder of the values you embody as a company, or the vision you are pursuing. Furthermore, it becomes an important contributor to workplace morale, serving up a dose of inspiration every time your declared purpose starts fading behind administrative emails and fundraising campaigns. Those are the moments when you write your mission statement down on a little sticky note and post it on your computer screen.

Externally, this expression is a critical figure in the landscape of brand identity . Readers will associate your tone and register key words you select, and values you highlight with the larger persona of your company. The mission statement, then, communicates to outsiders who you are, and what you will do to guarantee quality business to your clients. In its concise form, its task is to explain how to foster a connection with the curious minds viewing its several sentences, and explain why yours should be the right business or organization for them to choose.

How to write a mission statement for your business in 5 steps

1. Ask yourself three fundamental questions

2. Hold a brainstorming session

3. Narrow down your choices

4. Refine your words into sentences

5. Review what you've written

01. Ask yourself three fundamental questions

What does your business do? How does it do it? And why? With the first question, evaluate your response through the lenses of your customers or beneficiaries, your employees, and - of course - yourself. When relevant, you can widen the perspectives to also define what your business does for your community, or even for the world. The exercise of answering these three questions will help you tease out your purpose, clarify the value you offer, and reconnect to your motivating passion.

02. Hold a brainstorming session

Either by yourself or with your team, throw around words and phrases that convey the answers you generated in the previous step. Of course, we know each of those questions could give way to an essay - sometimes even a book. Yet, here, brevity comes above all. Try instead for “snapshot words” that capture the sentiment of your business’ value and purpose. Don’t hold back here: All ideas are acceptable at this point, and you never know when a phrase that’s slightly off can spark the suggestion of the phrase that’s exactly right.

03. Narrow down your choices

Either through a group voting process or by soliciting the feedback of a few people you trust, whittle down the list you generated in step two. At the end of this step, you should emerge with a curated list of your favorite words and phrases that are fitting and truly reflect your brand.

04. Refine your words into sentences

Set aside a few hours, a quiet area, and put on your best ‘eureka moment’ playlist. It’s time to start massaging your list of chosen words and phrases into one to two complete sentences, keeping in mind all the key elements we reviewed earlier. Check in frequently with those four criteria to ensure you’re on the right track. Finally, remember to write in the present tense. This an active proclamation of what you do - not what you hope to do someday.

05. Review what you’ve written

The editing stage is best done with fresh eyes, after you’ve had some time away from your first draft. Notice points where you can tighten the phrasing, or make your wording even more precise. Run through potential future developments for your business. Will the statement you’re crafting now stand the test of time and an evolving business strategy? Take care to build some of this flexibility into your final version (without losing sight of the specificity, of course). Lastly, cut out the fluff. Big words that sound fancy but don’t add much value or clarity for your readers should be directed straight to the trash can. What survives your editing annotations will be the strong, durable, and exact material that quality missions statement examples are made of.

Where to display your mission statement

Once you have your mission statement polished and gleaming, it’s time to debut it to your colleagues and target audience . Find a place to print and proudly display it in your workplace so you and all of your team members can look to it as a source of guidance whenever a big decision is in front of you, or you need an inspirational boost.

Additionally, your new mission statement should appear across all of your marketing and promotional materials, from printed brochures to your beautiful website. Due to its short length, it also makes for an excellent bio lines on your social media channels. It’s a snappy answer to people’s initial question of ‘What is this?!’ after they stumble across your profile - and on the Internet, it’s important to keep information flowing fast to keep a web visitor’s attention engaged. Your mission statement makes your point quickly and succinctly, giving your online traffic a reason to stick around. Now, that’s good for business!

P.S. One little hint from us to you: Keep a note of all places where you feature your mission statement. In the event you update it, you will want to be able to make an easy sweep of your office and your online presence to implement the new edits across the board.

Get inspired by these mission statement examples

Enjoy some of these examples of great mission statements that have hit the ball out of the park with their bold precision:

Amp’d: “To provide people with limb loss/difference resources that allow them to live to their fullest potential.”

Southwest Airlines: The mission of Southwest Airlines is dedication to the highest quality of customer service delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride, and company spirit.

Honest Tea: Honest Tea seeks to create and promote great-tasting, healthy, organic beverages. We strive to grow our business with the same honesty and integrity we use to craft our recipes, with sustainability and great taste for all.

S’well: It’s S’well’s ongoing mission to create products that are both beautiful and eco-friendly, that infuse innovation with inspiration, and that continue to give back to communities in need.

Girl Scouts of the United States of America: Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Snap Inc.: Snap Inc. is a camera company. We believe that reinventing the camera represents our greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. We contribute to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together.

The New York Times: We seek the truth and help people understand the world. This mission is rooted in our belief that great journalism has the power to make each reader’s life richer and more fulfilling, and all of society stronger and more just.

Related Posts

What is ghost commerce? A beginner's guide + tips for launching

Top 22 online business ideas to start in 2024

What are eCommerce KPIs and how to track them?

Was this article helpful?

• Sample Plans
• WHY UPMETRICS?

Upmetrics AI Assistant: Simplifying Business Planning through AI-Powered Insights. Learn How

• 400+ Sample Business Plans

Customers Success Stories

Business Plan Course

Strategic Canvas Templates

E-books, Guides & More

Business consultants

Entrepreneurs and Small Business

Accelerators and Incubators

Educators & Business Schools

Students & Scholars

AI Business Plan Generator

Financial Forecasting

AI Assistance

Ai pitch deck generator

Stratrgic Planning

See How Upmetrics Works  →

Small Business Tools

Entrepreneurs & Small Business

Accelerators & Incubators

Business Consultants & Advisors

Strategic Planning

6 Top Mission Statement Examples For Your Business Plan

Free Mission and Vision Statement Templates

Aayushi Mistry

• December 11, 2023

Example 1: A Mission Statement by Hubspot

There’s this notion that to grow a business, you have to be ruthless. But we know there’s a better way to grow. One where what’s good for the bottom line is also good for customers. We believe businesses can grow with a conscience, and succeed with a soul — and that they can do it with inbound. That’s why we’ve created a platform uniting software, education, and community to help businesses grow better every day.

Want to Generate a Mission Statement for your Business?

Craft a strong and purposeful mission statement in minutes with our easy-to-use Free AI Mission Statement Generator .

Hubspot is a company that develops and offers a fully functioning systematic platform for sales, marketing, and CRM management. They also offer the right measures to grow your business through consultations and courses.

Expert’s rating on the mission statement: 4 / 5

• Adding the emotional touch.
• Comparison with the traditional business.
• Clear about what they stand for.
• Clear about what they do.

Some of you might find this statement a little longer than usual. But what’s best is that they managed to add all the values, ethics, and culture with a friendly vocabulary. All of it, in just 4 to 5 sentences. And if you look closely, it’s not so long.

Example 2: A Mission Statement by Microsoft

Empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more.

Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company. It develops, manufactures, licenses key supports, and sells computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services.

Expert’s rating on the mission statement: 5 / 5

• It is the simplest and boldest mission statement .
• Very clear in communicating the value and ethics.
• It has a tinge of empowering emotion. It makes you want to know and have Microsoft right away.
• Most importantly, it is a one-liner with the best use of vocabulary. Hence, easy to remember.

Example 3: A Mission Statement from Tesla

To accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.

Tesla, Inc. is an American electric vehicle and clean energy company based in Palo Alto, California. Tesla’s current products include electric cars, battery energy storage from home to grid-scale, solar panels, and solar roof tiles, as well as other related products and services.

• You can already sense the speed and change in the mission statement.
• You can relate the statement to the founder, Elon Musk .
• Clear about what they want to accomplish
• Short, simple, and catchy enough for you to never forget it.

Example 4: A Mission Statement by Asos

To become the number 1 fashion destination for 20-somethings globally.

ASOS plc is a British online fashion and cosmetic retailer. The company was founded in 2000 in London, primarily aimed at young adults. The website sells over 850 brands as well as its own range of clothing and accessories, and ships to all 196 countries from fulfillment centers in the UK, Subcontinent, and Europe.

Their ambition, their service, and their target audience, everything put together in one sentence. The statement can’t get clearer than this!

Example 5: A Mission Statement by Disney

To be one of the world’s leading producers and providers of entertainment and information, using its portfolio of brands to differentiate its content, services and consumer products.

The Walt Disney Company , commonly known as Disney, is an American diversified multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California.

Expert’s rating on the mission statement: 3 / 5

• The mission statement is longer than required.
• It is not relevant to the grand and creative world of Disney.
• It has no emotional touch.
• It is clear what they do and offers.

Example 6: A Mission Statement by Sony

To be a company that inspires and fulfills your curiosity.

Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Konan, Minato, Tokyo.

• It is not relevant to the grand, colorful sets of Sony
• Unclear with what they do and offer.

Build your Business Plan Faster

with step-by-step Guidance & AI Assistance.

About the Author

Since childhood, I was in awe of the magic that words bring. But while studying computer science in college, my world turned upside down. I found my calling in being a copywriter and I plunged into a world of words. Since then, there is no looking back. Even today, nothing excites me to find out the wonders the words can bring!

Related Articles

Write a Mission Statement For Your Business Plan: Explained with Examples

How to Write a Vision Statement for Your Business

How to Write a Business Plan Executive Summary: Tips & Example

Reach your goals with accurate planning.

No Risk – Cancel at Any Time – 15 Day Money Back Guarantee

Popular Templates

• Search Search Please fill out this field.

What Is a Mission Statement?

How a mission statement works, drafting a mission statement, displaying a mission statement.

• Advantages and Disadvantages
• Other Statements

The Bottom Line

• Small Business
• How to Start a Business

Mission Statement Explained: How It Works and Examples

Investopedia / Joules Garcia

A mission statement is used by a company to explain, in simple and concise terms, its purpose(s) for being. The statement is generally short, either a single sentence or a short paragraph.

Key Takeaways

• A mission statement is used by a company to explain, in simple and concise terms, its purpose(s) for being.
• It is usually one sentence or a short paragraph, explaining a company's culture, values, and ethics.
• Mission statements serve several purposes, including motivating employees and reassuring investors of the company's future.
• To craft a mission statement, consider how your company impacts customers, donors, investors, or your community and why you strive to help these parties.
• A mission statement might slightly overlap other marketing content, but it is different from a vision statement, value statement, brand, or slogan.

Mission statements serve a dual purpose by helping employees remain focused on the tasks at hand, and encouraging them to find innovative ways of moving toward increasing their productivity with the eye to achieving company goals.

A company’s mission statement defines its culture, values, ethics, fundamental goals, and agenda. Furthermore, it defines how each of these applies to the company's stakeholders —its employees, distributors, suppliers, shareholders, and the community at large. These entities can use this statement to align their goals with that of the company.

The statement reveals what the company does, how it does it, and why it does it. Prospective investors may also refer to the mission statement to see if the values of the company align with theirs. For example, an ethical investor against tobacco products would probably not invest in a company whose mission is to be the largest global manufacturer of cigarettes.

It is not uncommon for large companies to spend many years and millions of dollars to develop and refine their mission statements. In some cases, mission statements eventually become household phrases.

Mission statements aren't just for small or large companies. Many successful individuals, professionals, and investors have taken the time to craft a personal mission statement. These personal mission statements often incorporate the financial, professional, spiritual, and relational aspects of life. This, in turn, helps an individual maintain a healthy work/life balance that increases their personal achievement in all of these areas.

While it may be difficult to narrow down the focus of your company in a single statement, here are some tips to help you write a good mission statement.

• First, outline what your company does. This may be a good you produce or a service you provide to your customers —whatever makes your business run.
• Next, describe the way in which your company does what it does. Instead of being technical—that's not the point here—think of what values go into the core of your business. Maybe you value quality, customer service, or being sustainable. Alternatively, you may foster creativity and innovation in your business. These are key points to outline in your mission statement.
• Finally, include why you do what you do in your mission statement. This is key. It helps you stand out as a business, highlighting what sets you apart from the others in your industry. Remember to keep the mission statement short and to the point.

After you've drafted it, remember to look it over, edit it, and have someone else give it a once over. After you've approved it, you'll need to find a way to incorporate it wherever you can. In addition, be mindful to periodically review your mission statement. Although it's never ideal to constantly pivot your image and change your mission statement, your company may outgrow or shift directions resulting in the need of a new statement.

A company’s mission is its identity, and its vision is its journey to accomplishing its mission. A company should take as long as it needs to craft the right statement to describe its mission.

Once a mission statement is crafted, it's up to the company to make it publicly known. A mission statement only holds value if it is shared with existing and potential customers, vendors , donors, or employees.

Because a company's mission statement is often pretty short, it is easy to incorporate into marketing material. A mission statement should always be found somewhere on a company's website. In addition, it can also be used in marketing documents. A company may solicit employees to incorporate adding its mission statement as part of a company-wide standard e-mail signature block.

A mission statement is also a perfect "elevator pitch" sentence that key members of your company should know. Because it's so brief, it is easy to memorize. In addition, it's a perfect introduction for someone who has never heard of your company or wants to know more. Whether it's at a networking event, social gathering, or bus ride to work, a mission statement is an easy way to captivate a stranger's interest in your company should they ask what your company does.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Mission Statements

Companies can benefit from having a mission statement. First, it outlines a company's goals and position in the industry for its customers, competitors, and other stakeholders. It also helps the organization focus and stay on track to make the right decisions about its future.

Furthermore, the mission statement helps clarify a company's purpose. With a mission statement, a company's customers and investors can rest assured that the company is fully committed to achieving its goals and maintaining its values. It is also useful to guide and motivate employees, keeping them in line with the company's values.

Last, a mission statement adds validity to an organization. From the outside looking in, a mission statement demonstrates that a company has considered the big picture and the major goals it wants to accomplish. It demonstrates thoughtful leadership, reputability, and inspiration to potential investors, employees, or donors.

There are drawbacks to having a mission statement. Mission statements may sometimes be very lofty and far too unrealistic, which can distract employees from the company's goals. Management may become too distracted with high-level targets that shorter-term, necessary steps to get there become neglected.

Even though a mission statement is short and concise, it may take a lot of time and money to develop. The resources spent on a bad mission statement could be better spent elsewhere, creating an opportunity loss . The difficulty of crafting such a concise statement is many parties often have ideas, and there's not room for many of them. After the bulk of the work has been done, companies may struggle with "wordsmithing" or simply rearranging words instead of trying to generate value.

Last, by publicly announcing to the world the company's mission, some people on the outside (or even the inside) may disagree with the mission. In the examples below, some individuals may be skeptical of alternative sources of energy and may be scared away when learning of Tesla's mission statement. A mission statement doesn't give much opportunity for a rebuttal to clarify or further explain what a company is all about.

A mission statement is not required, though it may be a grant application for a nonprofit or asked for by an interested investor of a company.

Mission Statement Examples

Mission statements vary considerably from company to company. The following examples are the mission statements of some of the trending companies as of 2022:

• Nike ( NKE ): "To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world."
• Walmart ( WMT ): "We save people money so they can live better."
• Starbucks ( SBUX ): "With every cup, with every conversation, with every community - We nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection."
• Tesla ( TSLA ): "To accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy."
• JP Morgan ( JPM ): "We aim to be the most respected financial services firm in the world."

Mission Statements vs. Other Statements

A mission statement is often confused or grouped with other types of organizational statements. Here are some other types of content and how they vary from a mission statement.

Mission Statement vs. Vision Statement

A company’s mission statement differs from its vision statement. While the mission statement remains unchanged for the most part and represents who the company is or aspires to be for the entirety of its existence, the vision statement can change. The latter outlines what the company needs to do to remain the way it has presented itself to be. In effect, a company’s mission is its identity, and the vision is its journey to accomplishing its mission.

Mission Statement vs. Value Statement

A company's value statement is also centered around a company's core principles and philosophy. However, it is more direct in guiding how decisions will be made and what will impact the daily culture of the organization. A value statement often includes actionable direction such as "taking ownership", "acting ethically", "doing what is right", or "being transparent." Whereas a mission statement describes the highest level of purpose, a vision statement starts to describe how that purpose will be achieved.

Mission Statement vs. Company Goals

A company's goals or business plan may be publicly disclosed or kept private/internal. In general, a company's goals are often even more specific, potentially referring to specific business lines, growth percentages, geographical regions, or new initiatives. While a mission statement often does not mention a specific aspect of the business, company goals are often measurable relating to departments or products so a company can track progress. A company's mission statement should drive the goals that are set.

Mission Statement vs. Brand

A brand is an suite of elements that encompasses a company's identity. This includes its marketing materials, engagement in community events, reviews from current and former employees, and its logo presence. A company's brand is also shaped by its mission statement. Though a small component, a mission statement helps customers, employees, and investors form an opinion of a company.

Mission Statement vs. Slogan

A slogan is a very brief, often memorable phrase that people primarily outside of your company can remember. Utter a great slogan such as "Just Do It" can invoke memories, commercials, logos, brand ambassadors, and emotions through a successful ad campaign . Although a mission statement is brief, it is longer and relatively more detailed compared to a slogan. A mission statement isn't meant to necessarily be catchy; it's meant to be informative and useful for guiding high-level decisions. Alternatively, a slogan is a very pointed marketing phrase used to be memorable even if it is less informative.

A mission statement is a brief description of the overarching meaning of the company or nonprofit. A mission statement does not explain what a company does or how it does it. It attempts to succinctly explain why a company exists and what its purpose is.

What Is an Example of a Mission Statement?

Microsoft's mission statement is: "Our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more."

What Is in a Good Mission Statement?

A good mission statement is concise. It should be limited to one sentence, though it shouldn't be too limiting as it should encompass the entire company's purpose. A good mission statement also focuses on the long-term goal it wishes to deliver to customers.

How Do You Write a Mission Statement?

There's no single best way to come up with a mission statement. In general, the mission statement writing process should start with considering what a business does for the customers, employees, and general public. It's often best to begin by collecting more content than needed, then later refining the mission statement into a single sentence.

One method of brainstorming ideas of a mission statement is to think about personal experiences from the company. This could also include soliciting ideas or memories from employees. Instead of focusing directly on the narrow business element of your company, embrace the broader aspect. For example, Microsoft did not craft its mission statement around delivering Windows '98. Rather, it crafted its mission statement around the possibilities it presented through its product.

A mission statement is a simple and brief description that encompasses the purpose of a company defining its culture, goals, and values. It helps customers, employees, and investors have a clear vision of the company's top priorities. A good mission statement can also motivate employees and help them stay focused, as well as reassure investors of the company's future.

Nike. " WHAT IS NIKE'S MISSION? "

Walmart. " History ."

Starbucks. " Message from Starbucks ceo: A Revitalized Mission for Our Limitless Future ."

Tesla. " About Tesla ."

JP Morgan. " About Us ."

Microsoft. " About Us. "

• Terms of Service
• Editorial Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Your Privacy Choices