When you’ve been at it for a while running your business, it’s easy to take for granted your mission and values. By now, they must be engrained in you, right?
However, it might be worth it to deep dive this assumption a bit.
Has your business changed and evolved since you last looked at your mission? Do you have new faces on your team that may not know this as well as your original team or yourself? Have you refined your business since starting?
You may have been so busy running your business and worrying about the day-to-day that you haven’t stopped to ask these questions. But your mission, values, and culture are key foundational elements to the success of your business.
These core tenets drive employee engagement and morale, your joy as a business owner, and your customer’s loyalty to your brand and products/services.
Is it time for a mission refresh?
Businesses grow and change just as we grow and change as individuals and quite frequently these correspond. As your business has grown and evolved, have your mission, vision, or story changed? If it has, have you taken the time to be intentional about what this change is and what your vision for your business is?
It’s okay for this mission to evolve over time as you and your business evolve and as you learn and grow. If this change of mission happens though, it’s important to not only define it but also communicate it so that it isn’t just living subconsciously in your head as the owner.
It’s important to keep intention at the forefront of your business to ensure that you’re making decisions that support that mission, are focused on your objectives, and are aligned with your values. Having a clear mission and values also helps to set clear expectations for all members of your team as to what their overall objective is, what is expected of them on a daily basis, and in what light they should be making their decisions.
Refine your mission
Maybe your original mission still resonates as deeply with you as it did on Day 1. Great!
However, chances are you’ve learned a lot since you last set this mission so maybe the subtleties behind the mission and how it’s portrayed and communicated need to be refined a bit.
As your business grows both in size and experience, you may start to offer more refined and specialized services or you may expand the services you offer. You may start to serve more of a particular type of client or you may expand who you serve. Evolutions like this may drive a refinement of your mission or how your mission is communicated.
This refinement helps you to better reach your target audience, and it also helps you to acquire the ideal team and resources that you need to continue making your mission a success.
How often do you communicate your mission?
Do you know when the last time you intentionally communicated your mission was? As a business owner, it can be easy to overlook this because it’s constantly playing within our own minds. Maybe we’re confident that our go-to people know this as well.
But what about all the newer faces that have helped you grow? Do they know the mission more than just memorizing it? Do your customers know your mission?
Communicating your mission, vision, and values is crucial for your team to understand their expectations as well as for your consumers to know what sets you apart. For your team, it helps to give them a daily sense of purpose and belonging. For your consumers, your mission will often set you apart from your competitors.
However, it’s important to communicate this mission in a strategic way so as to not have any unintended impacts. The right cadence, tone, and resources are crucial in making your strategic mission and value communication a success.
I can help with that.
While I’m a writer and storyteller at heart, I’m also passionate about empowering others to further elevate their businesses through strategic communication and storytelling. If you’re looking for someone to help you refine your strategy and then craft those communications for you, book a free strategy session with me!
Disclosure: I only recommend products/services I would use myself and feel might benefit you as well. This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.Disclaimer: This blog should not be construed as providing, or intending to provide professional financial, legal, psychological, or other professional advice. It is simply meant to share my experiences with those who may find them relatable and helpful.