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Start Your New Business with a Mission Statement

Rosemary Hossenlopp

November 01, 2006

Are you chasing multiple business opportunities, not clear which one will be your pay-off? Do your relatives politely stare at you after you just explained your business venture to them?

Create a business mission statement that defines how you serve the customer. You create a business mission statement to describe to yourself what business you are in. Does this sound surprising? It is a fact that many small business owners opportunistically jumped into business as a result of W2 job loss, relocation or life transitions. It is great that you made the jump. You are a part of a swelling trend towards self-employment. You drive the economic engine of the nation.

You now need to clarify why you made the jump so you can have the talking points for your elevator speech. Your mission statement will be your external image that you present on your website and as your signature on all your emails. It represents You! You are the business!

Three Proven Steps for Developing a Business Mission Statement

Solve the mystery of mission statements by understanding that they are present focused, they state how you do business and who you serve. Mission statements need these three key elements.

Business Mission Step 1. Products or services that you offer to your customers or clients: Often you are not clear here and you automatically say to a client “We can do that.” But if it isn’t your core business; Say No. Your passion and profits will be in a focused set of products and services.

Business Mission Step 2. Benefits that you provide your customers. You are excited about your product or service and want to share what you do. Stop. Test first for interest by stating how you deliver proven business results. Create a mystery that causes potential clients to ask. “So how do you deliver THAT?”

Business Mission Step 3. Market Niche. You need to clarify in your customers minds who you serve. It is also powerful to say who you don’t serve.

When you don’t understand who you are, who you serve and the core values that benefit your customer, you have a fuzzy brand image. You confuse the customer when they are not clear about your business. A confused customer doesn’t buy.

Effective business mission statements are present focused, they prioritize spending and they define your purpose for being in the customers mind. Create a mission statement today as your action plan to achieve your business vision.

Rosemary Hossenlopp © 2006 All Rights Reserved

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