Part of the agony of putting together a written business plan is having to create something called a "mission statement.
"Whether it's off-the-shelf business plan software you buy at your local office supply store, or you're taking a community college course on business plans, it seems that every business plan demands that bit of nonsense.
Nonsense?Yep, you heard me right.
Pure, unadulterated nonsense.
In plain English, what the plan is asking for is "What's your reason for being in business?"Duh!Isn't it to make money, something called "profit?" I've seen hundreds of college students given "create a mission statement" as their homework assignments.
"Go forth my child and develop a deep, philosophical mission statement with which to wow your customers," sayeth their professors.
Well, maybe not in those words.
But the meaning was clear.
The more philosophical - maybe even mysterious - the more impressed customers are likely to be, right?.
Bull feathers! Your customers will likely never see your mission statement.
Unless, of course, you volunteer it.
But why would you?Do you really want to tell your customers that your mission - your primary purpose for being in business - is "to make a profit.
"?Don't you and they already know that?Then why remind them? Ever heard the expression, "Don't sweat the little stuff!"?Well, your mission statement is a classic example.
I've seen literally dozens of new business owners spend hours writing mission statements that read like novels.
They've included every eventuality, every who, how, when, where and why.
Don't do it! Perhaps the best - meaning most concise and most meaningful - mission statement I've ever seen was one for a Chicago ad agency.
Its mission statement - one it created and displayed proudly with good reason - read simply, "Create the most effective advertising possible for our clients.
"How's that for simplicity at its finest? Let me offer you something almost as simple, a do-it-yourself mission statement that, by deleting a word here or there, is easily adaptable - and suitable - for the most high tech of companies, as well as for a business as mundane as a janitorial services provider.
Try this: "To profitably create and deliver to our customers or clients the finest products or services possible.
" Minus perhaps the word or two you choose to delete to fit your particular business, you've now got a mission statement any self-respecting company can live with and be proud of.
It can serve as a mantra for you and your employees, and as your company's promise to your customers.
"Whether it's off-the-shelf business plan software you buy at your local office supply store, or you're taking a community college course on business plans, it seems that every business plan demands that bit of nonsense.
Nonsense?Yep, you heard me right.
Pure, unadulterated nonsense.
In plain English, what the plan is asking for is "What's your reason for being in business?"Duh!Isn't it to make money, something called "profit?" I've seen hundreds of college students given "create a mission statement" as their homework assignments.
"Go forth my child and develop a deep, philosophical mission statement with which to wow your customers," sayeth their professors.
Well, maybe not in those words.
But the meaning was clear.
The more philosophical - maybe even mysterious - the more impressed customers are likely to be, right?.
Bull feathers! Your customers will likely never see your mission statement.
Unless, of course, you volunteer it.
But why would you?Do you really want to tell your customers that your mission - your primary purpose for being in business - is "to make a profit.
"?Don't you and they already know that?Then why remind them? Ever heard the expression, "Don't sweat the little stuff!"?Well, your mission statement is a classic example.
I've seen literally dozens of new business owners spend hours writing mission statements that read like novels.
They've included every eventuality, every who, how, when, where and why.
Don't do it! Perhaps the best - meaning most concise and most meaningful - mission statement I've ever seen was one for a Chicago ad agency.
Its mission statement - one it created and displayed proudly with good reason - read simply, "Create the most effective advertising possible for our clients.
"How's that for simplicity at its finest? Let me offer you something almost as simple, a do-it-yourself mission statement that, by deleting a word here or there, is easily adaptable - and suitable - for the most high tech of companies, as well as for a business as mundane as a janitorial services provider.
Try this: "To profitably create and deliver to our customers or clients the finest products or services possible.
" Minus perhaps the word or two you choose to delete to fit your particular business, you've now got a mission statement any self-respecting company can live with and be proud of.
It can serve as a mantra for you and your employees, and as your company's promise to your customers.