Small business owners often see their venture as 'their baby', and rightfully so. A business is an extension of oneself, and those of us who have run our own businesses know that separating our work life from our personal feelings is simply impossible. Small business owners have invested themselves - literally - in an idea that they hope to bring to fruition through hard work, passion, dedication, time and ingenuity. Developing vision and mission statements is a core component of helping your 'baby' grow into a unique an individual that stands out from the crowd.
Why are vision and mission statements important?
Pinpointing a vision statement and a mission statement requires not only a deep connection to your work, but also creativity. You may find a profound sense of purpose in your new venture, but if you lack the ability to articulate your goals or the ability to put your passion into practice, your business will likely have a difficult time getting off the ground.
Pinpointing your vision
As its name suggests, a vision statement is a broad and overarching theme that will guide your business as it works toward accomplishing its current and future goals. Perhaps your vision involves a neighborhood community in which mothers are able to connect with one another for ideas and support. Maybe your vision is one in which new moms can turn to a group of experts for help and advice during late-night feedings.
To determine a vision for your company, close your eyes and think about who your target audience is and how you anticipate them benefiting from your service. Now imagine what that looks like. This vision should be the goal off of which you base your mission statement.
Writing a mission statement
Now to the hard-set goals: the mission statement. Forbes recommends answering the following questions in your mission statement: What do we do? How do we do it? Whom do we do it for? What value are we bringing?
By answering these questions, you are writing your brand's personal story. In a way, a mission statement is like a biography. Consider this theoretical mission statement:
"Diaper Babes's goal is to bring all-natural, biodegradable diapers to moms and babies from all walks of life. With out zero-waste policy and efficient materials, we are able to keep costs down so all moms can afford high-quality products for their little ones."
This mission statement answers each of the above questions clearly. This business makes and sells all-natural diapers for a low cost by eliminating waste in the manufacturing process. The business's target audience is moms on a budget, and the value of the business lies in making affordable yet high-quality products.
If you're an entrepreneur, have you written your vision and mission statements yet? If not, don't skip on this important part of launching your brand.
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