Defining Your Company Mission and Vision For Your Startup Business Plan
Are you looking to establish a successful business? Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, it’s important to have a solid business plan. A great business plan requires not only excellent financial planning and strategy, but also clear and concise mission and vision statements. These statements capture the essence of your business, from the big-picture to the day-to-day operations.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the basics of defining your company mission and vision for your startup business plan. Read on to learn how to create a mission and vision statement that will help you reach your goals and keep you motivated.
What is a Mission Statement?
Your mission statement is a brief overview of your company’s purpose. It explains what your business is all about and why it exists. The mission statement should be concise, memorable, and inspiring. It should be easily understood by both employees and customers.
Let’s take a look at an example:
Tesla: “To accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.”
This mission statement is clear and concise. It conveys the company’s purpose and reason for existence, which is to promote the use of sustainable energy sources.
What is a Vision Statement?
Your vision statement is a bit different from your mission statement. It’s less about your company’s purpose and more about your company’s future. Your vision statement should be aspirational, inspiring, and forward-thinking. It should articulate where you want to take your company in the future.
For example:
Google: “To organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.”
This vision statement conveys the company’s goal of making the world’s information more accessible. It paints a picture of what the future could look like with their technology, and provides a beacon for the company to follow.
5 Steps to Writing Your Own Mission and Vision Statements
Now that you know the basics, let’s go over how to write your own mission and vision statements for your startup business plan.
1. Research your industry and competitors
The first step to writing your mission and vision statements is to research your industry and competitors. Pay attention to their mission and vision statements, as well as their products and services. What do they do differently? What do they do better? How can you distinguish yourself from them?
2. Define your company’s core values
Your mission and vision statements should reflect your company’s core values. Take some time to think about what’s most important to you and your business. What do you stand for? What do you care about? These core values will inform your mission and vision statements.
3. Outline your company’s goals
What do you want to achieve with your business? What’s your long-term goal? List out any and all goals you may have for your company. These will help you craft the vision portion of your statement.
4. Write your mission and vision statements
Once you’ve done your research, defined your values, and outlined your goals, it’s time to get writing. Start by writing a draft of your mission statement. Then, craft your vision statement. Take your time with this step and be sure to review your statements with others to ensure they accurately reflect your company.
5. Evaluate and refine your mission and vision statements
Once your mission and vision statements are written, review them again to ensure they are clear, concise, and inspiring. Make sure they support your company’s values and goals. Consider revising and refining your statements as your company grows and evolves.
Putting it All Together
Creating mission and vision statements for your startup business plan is an important step in developing a successful business. It helps you define what your business is all about and guides you as you move forward.
Take the time to research your industry and competitors, define your core values, and outline your goals. Use this information to craft clear, concise, and inspiring mission and vision statements. And don’t forget to review and refine your statements as your business grows and evolves.
By following these steps and taking the time to write your mission and vision statements, you’ll be well on your way to establishing your company and reaching your goals. Good luck!