Palo Alto Software
 
 

Writing a Mission Statement

by Tim Berry

Your mission statement is an opportunity to define your business at the most basic level. It should tell your company story and ideals in less than 30 seconds: who your company is, what you do, what you stand for, and why you do it.

Do you want to make a profit, or is it enough to just make a living? What markets are you serving, and what benefits do you offer them? Do you solve a problem for your customers? What kind of internal work environment do you want for your employees? All of these issues may be addressed in a mission statement.

Basic guidelines in writing a mission statement

Your mission statement is about you, your company, and your ideals. 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.

Don’t “box” yourself in. Your mission statement should be able to withstand the changes that come up over time in your product or service offerings, or customer base. A cardboard box company isn’t in the business of making cardboard boxes; it’s in the business of providing protection for items that need to be stored or shipped. The broader understanding helps them see the big picture.

Keep it short. The best mission statements tend to be three to four sentences long.

Ask for input. Run your mission statement draft by your employees. Is it clear and easily understood, or does it sound like something from the Dilbert Mission Statement Generator?


Aim for substance, not superlatives. Avoid saying how great you are, what great quality and what great service you provide.

For more information on mission statements, see our sample mission statements below or use Business Plan Pro, which helps you write a mission statement as well as containing over 500 example mission statements.


Business Plan Software

Business Plan Pro
Business Plan Pro
If you’re looking for help with your mission statement or other parts of your business plan, Business Plan Pro can save you lots of time and headaches. It contains over 500 sample business plans which can be used to help create your own plan.

Sample Mission Statements

The links below take you to the mission statements of some of our sample business plans that were created with Business Plan Pro.

Studio 67 Mission Statement
Studio67 is a medium-sized restaurant focusing on organic foods and an intriguing atmosphere, in a prime neighborhood of Portland.


AMT Computers Mission Statement
AMT is an ongoing business computer reseller which also provides service and support.


JavaNet Internet Cafe Mission Statement
JavaNet is a start-up business that will provide a unique forum for communication and entertainment through the medium of the Internet.

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Strategic Content Development – Developing content Mission Statement. - BlueVerse
January 14, 2008 at 8:27 am

{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }

Gary Hogan December 30, 2007 at 11:41 am

How important is a mission statement? Does anyone really care about it or is it the business plan version of an objective on a resume, where nobody reads it but it’s standard protocol to include?

And where do you find existing companies mission statements?

PS: the Dilbert mission statement generator is a great laugh and sounds a lot like most mission statements I have read

Nicole January 3, 2008 at 11:14 am

You can find many companies’ mission statements with a simple Google search. Just search for the company name followed by mission statement. For example, try Googling for “starbucks mission statement” and you should see theirs.

Chelle Parmele January 8, 2008 at 10:20 am

Hi Iris,

You can find several sample plans by going to the free sample plans page on our site. You can look through all of them for some more instances of mission plans for a variety of businesses.

You can also try a Google search on “hair salon mission statement” and see if you can find any other samples for that specific topic.

Lorraine January 16, 2008 at 7:35 am

I belong to a non-profit chorale group. We are in need of a mission statement to reflect that we are a community choir. Our purpose is to promote and enhance public interest in, and appreciation of, choral music.
Thank you

craig micheals January 16, 2008 at 9:52 am

this is nice

i really like this

Sean Serrels January 16, 2008 at 12:46 pm

Hello Lorraine,

You can use the Google Search tool and other Internet Search tools to find what you need as well. Just go to http://www.google.com and type: Chorale Group “Mission Statement” into the search field and you’ll find a long list of results.

Chelle Parmele February 4, 2008 at 9:08 am

Hi Herman,

Thank you for your comment!

The bplans website is a free resource with articles and free sample plans that allows you to research and gather information on how to grow or start your business.

We offer you the tools to get started.

We are not consultants, so we can’t help you with your specific mission statement, but as I said, we offer the tools to help you get started.

Good luck!

‘Chelle Parmele
Palo Alto Software

onesmus February 22, 2008 at 1:19 am

hi guys i would like a business plan for a cyber cafe.thanks

NISHANT March 1, 2008 at 2:57 am

I AM A STUDENT OF FILM MAKING & I WANT TO WRITE A MISSION STATEMENT FOR MY PORTFOLIO. IF ANYONE CAN HELP IT WOULD BE GREAT.

THANK YOU

Evelyn Aguila March 2, 2008 at 10:25 am

I am starting a construction company have development skill and my part does construction. I need a business for construction.

Christiana Oji March 8, 2008 at 7:44 am

I am starting an internet marketing business on baby merchandise, and I am finding it difficult to write a mission statement.
Please can you help me?
Thanking you in advance.
Best Regards.

Frank Barnes March 9, 2008 at 11:46 pm

I’m 30 and have become excited about starting a company.
I’m doing so much research via the net, The paperwork has seemed to grown endless. Is this the beginging stages filing and typing?

mariane Rose Malinag March 14, 2008 at 6:53 pm

i’m mariane..i would like to ask for a sample of a feasibility study of an enterprise which is related to the tourism industry..thank you…!

Malik Waheed March 24, 2008 at 9:13 pm

Hi,
i am a student of management sciences. i am intersted to know that why mission statements of any organization(corporation/business)differ from one to another and is there any criteria to write a mission statement? if anyone can help me itwould be great!
thanks in advance for you reply.

KING April 2, 2008 at 1:07 am

We can help you teach about mission statement as stratergic marketing tool.We conduct training at sandton for different companies ,consult and do small business development programme and facilitate procurement opportunities from different companies.

Our tel number is 083 582 9617

Casi Deatherage April 4, 2008 at 8:47 am

Hi Onesmus,

The bplans website has free sample plans and articles to help you with information on how to grow or start your business.
I searched on bplans and found a few examples for starting a cuber cafe.

I hope this information will be helpful.

Casi Deatherage
Palo Alto Software
Customer Care

Julie H. April 10, 2008 at 11:26 am

Hello,

I am trying to get ideas for my mission statement.

Our company makes blankets to donate to babies born with heart problems or defects.

Thank you.

~J~

Casi Deatherage April 10, 2008 at 12:41 pm

Hello Julie,

Thanks for your comment!

Our Bplans website is a free resource that allows you to search free sample plans to research and gather information for your mission statement.

Goodluck!

Casi Deatherage
Palo Alto Software
Customer Care

Linda A. A. April 14, 2008 at 12:42 pm

hello,

i am exicted about starting a business of my own.

i will like someone to help write my business plan on fish farming.

thank you.

Fleinwoods Fernandez April 21, 2008 at 11:07 pm

I find it very helpful. Will you be able to help me what mission statement suitable for my business. I’m planning to start my TAVEL AND TOUR BUSINESS.

Thank you!

Flein

Casi Deatherage April 22, 2008 at 12:35 pm

Hello Fleinwoods,

Bplans has many helpful resources to help you search for information related to a Travel and Tour Business.

Best regards,

Casi Deatherage
Palo Alto Software
Customer Care

Vickie Bankston April 23, 2008 at 5:48 pm

I would like very much if I could get some help on writing a mission statment for a non-profit organization. If you could send me some sample I would greatly appreaciate it.

Thanks in advance

Casi Deatherage April 24, 2008 at 10:57 am

Hello Vickie,

Our Bplans website is a free resource that allows you to search free sample plans to help gather information. I did a search under Nonrofit Mission Statements and found a few listings.

I hope this will be of help to you.

Best regards,

Casi Deatherage
Palo Alto Software
Customer Care

USMAN ALI May 1, 2008 at 9:51 am

i need a mission statement for my new restaurent in peshawar cantt.
MANAGER anwarsher

bob smith May 21, 2008 at 12:41 pm

hi, what are some criteria for writing a mission statement

thanks bob

Hamayoun June 11, 2008 at 3:38 am

Hi,
for a new restaurant in Peshawar city, Pakistan, The Mission statement may be
” We are here to provide you the best services and traditional hosptality with not only our traditions but also with international standards.”

Arthur June 21, 2008 at 1:14 am

I’m a offering business management, and i want to know how business culture of an organization differs from other organization.

Arthur June 21, 2008 at 1:15 am

i am a student of management sciences. i am intersted to know that why mission statements of any organization(corporation/business)differ from one to another and is there any criteria to write a mission statement? if anyone can help me itwould be great!
thanks in advance for you reply.

zara July 11, 2008 at 12:12 am

i am looking for a sample of a business plan that will be used in our business plan… can i ask for a copy just for reference purpose…

mykelle elmer July 16, 2008 at 4:32 am

wowwwwwwwwwwwwwww

maria josephine August 3, 2008 at 12:04 am

Great contribution…
I believe the creator of any business idea MUST know the purpose (Mission) of his or her business. In this way we will be able to survive the risks and challenges that will come along our way. And most importantly it must be SHARED to all not just to impress people but its a kind of mind setting to both concerned.
All dbest!

minh vuong August 18, 2008 at 7:47 pm

hi everyone,im senor student,i have to write a business plan about funiture’export, but i don’t know how to write Executive Summary .it will be better if you sent me a draft today.thanks alot.

stephanazs September 20, 2008 at 8:02 am

Interesting facts.I have bookmarked this site. stephanazs

DrivenByReason February 15, 2009 at 2:56 am

I did a recent blog on company mission statements. Its really fascinating to see how they are constructed and what keywords they are using to reinforce their company values – as your article above points out.

I once worked for a company that refused to produce a mission statement. It eventually turned out they didn’t want one because they were going in a different direction than their employees!

Harry D. April 7, 2009 at 11:52 am

Hi,
I have a Construction Building Brick System Technology Invention which I wish to build a Manufacturing Plant for. But I need help on my Business Plan and a Mission Statement. Homeland Security, All fields utilizing the conventional Cement Blocks or Burnt Bricks for all projects could use my Brick Technology. The huge advantage my invention has over the conventional materials and processes is that, it is superior in quality, saves labor costs by 75%, Material wastage is very near Zero, Timely delivery of Projects is 25% of the time it takes, utilizing conventional materials, and Return on Investment is 25% to 35%.

Above information are a proven data from a Lab setting. But for me to introduce my Soil-Cement Brick invention for Builders, Developers and Homeowners to benefit, I need HELP with my Business Plan and Mission Statement.

Warm Regards.

H.D.

menelik June 5, 2009 at 12:46 am

Hello there, i would like to start an advertising company over the net can someone out there help me write my bz plan.email me @ [bkantony@yahoo.com]Nairobi kenya

lungelo masondo July 6, 2009 at 3:27 am

hello i am trying to write a mission statement for a construction company that i want to start i need your help please.

duncan unyime July 29, 2009 at 4:49 am

i can always help you in writing a mission statement.email me at duncan1445@gmail .com…

anil July 31, 2009 at 6:25 am

i am anew in this field.
1.i want to stablish a meniral water plant.
2.so help me out any one of you if you had any experance sare with me.

Gamal A. Elbanna August 6, 2009 at 5:45 pm

I am a Paralegal student who wish to start my own paralegal services and Business Consulting. Today, we have asked in class as part of the course to write a business paln. I looked hard at your site and I did not find a templates geared towards my future business. Can you help me before this coming Monday?

Thanks,
Gamal

T.E Sesing August 7, 2009 at 12:18 am

Hi, I’m a Marketing Student in need of a Mission Statement for a project, in which I describe my Restaurant and it’s mission. Can some one please help me, I’m half way finished but I need a second input.

John Emmanuel August 29, 2009 at 1:14 am

Excellent business support site. Market research need to be emmphasized as it forms a very critical part of successful business take off and its sustainability especially in a country like Nigeria where the market is huge with enormous potentials.

Job madapat September 1, 2009 at 7:39 pm

“We test what the trainees know”
This is a proposed mission statement for an examining body. Can anybody improve upon it.

Thanx
Job

David Leiby November 7, 2009 at 8:45 am

I am trying to find out how to get a business startup capita I have absolutely no startup money. I want to start an automobile inspection place or business. Anybody with any valuable input I would appreciate it.

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