Problem:
A mission statement provides a declaration as to why an organization exists and defines the business the organization is currently in. Mission statements concentrate on the present and are a reflection of an organizations core competencies. Ideally, the Mission statement becomes necessary prior to the inception of the company. However, most small businesses do not have a mission statement until the business starts to get bigger, and therefore becomes more and more difficult to manage. It is at this stage that most small business start to realize that a well defined mission is necessary.
So how big does a business need to get for it to need a mission statement? Is it when the business expands to a second location, or a third location? When a layer of management gets added between the owner and the front-line employees?
What do you think makes a mission or vision statement effective? Can you provide an example of a mission or vision statement that meets those criteria?