Sunday, September 23, 2007
MISSIONAL
I have recently been involved with developing Mission Statements and other "philosophy" for several organizations of various types. In almost every case, we came down to the question of whether the Mission Statement was being written for organizational "insiders" or for the "outside" world. I really struggle with this.

Does your Mission stand as that beacon for those already involved with the organization -- a litmus test for performance? Or does it stand out there to tell prospective customers what you're all about?

It is a fine line between the two but a line nonetheless. Certainly the intent of your Mission is the same regardless of what audience you craft it toward. The difference, though, is in the voice, tenor, and attitude of the Mission. Those things make a big difference in how someone receives and processes a Mission Statement when they read it. In the case of "insiders," that can make a difference as to whether they are spurred to supportive action or lulled into complacency. For "outsiders," that nuance can make the difference whether they check you out or not and, if they do, what attitude they come with.

I was speaking to a good friend of mine recently for whom I have great respect. He owns a business with his brothers. They have a Mission statement but he is pretty blunt in telling everyone not to expect a lot of strategic verbiage from themselves beyond that. This is because they set the overriding goal out there, hire good people, and let them explore and figure out how to be successful.

I like that.

But the question still remains as far as with what "voice" a Mission Statement is written. Any ideas? This topic is worthy of a lot of fleshing out, I think.

  posted at 7:55 AM  
  0 comments



0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home



Who Am I?

Name:
Todd M

Location:



An ordinary guy. A wife I love very much. A great son. Wonderful friends. A metal roofing business and a sales training business. A loving church family. A few trade associations. A Christian school. And a four-pound poodle. Just trying to follow God and see where He leads.

My Complete Profile


Buy My Book! (please)
  • Trying To Lose My "Self" In Israel

  • Past Posts
  • ZECHARIAH 5 (NIV)
  • MARCEL MARCEAU
  • ZECHARIAH 4 (NIV)
  • LISA MOORE
  • PROVERBS
  • ARGHH! I'm feeling a tad air permeable meself sinc...
  • TARRED AND FEATHERED
  • GRANDMA GOT LOCKED IN THE WATER CLOSET
  • AMBULANCE CHASER
  • NEVER STOP LEARNING

  • Great Blogs
  • Dan Gildner
  • Hope Shifts
  • Trey Morgan
  • Hey Jules
  • DadBloggers
  • David Porath
  • Antique Mommy
  • Tony Morgan
  • Chris Reeder
  • Gary Lamb
  • Perry Noble
  • David Foster
  • Scott Hodge
  • Mark Meyer
  • Donald Miller
  • Sidney First Leadership Community
  • Irenic Thoughts
  • Sidney First UMC

  • Archives
  • May 2006
  • June 2006
  • July 2006
  • August 2006
  • September 2006
  • October 2006
  • November 2006
  • December 2006
  • January 2007
  • February 2007
  • March 2007
  • April 2007
  • May 2007
  • June 2007
  • July 2007
  • August 2007
  • September 2007
  • October 2007
  • November 2007
  • December 2007
  • January 2008
  • February 2008
  • March 2008
  • April 2008
  • May 2008
  • June 2008
  • July 2008
  • August 2008
  • September 2008
  • October 2008
  • November 2008
  • December 2008
  • January 2009
  • February 2009
  • March 2009
  • April 2009
  • May 2009
  • June 2009
  • July 2009
  • August 2009
  • September 2009
  • November 2009
  • December 2009
  • January 2010
  • March 2010
  • April 2010
  • June 2010
  • September 2010
  • July 2011

  • Gargantuan List of Methodist Bloggers

    Credits and Links



    istockphoto





    Christian Blogger Network


    Blogarama