A mission statement is an essential element that is as important as your business plan. It encompasses, in a few clear sentences, the essence of your business goals and philosophies. Likewise, the mission statement shows your customers, employees and suppliers what the business is all about.
In writing a mission statement, ask yourself the following questions:1.Why are you in business? 2.Who are your target customers and what can you do to make their lives better? 3.What perception of your business do you want to get across? 4.What is the nature of your products and services? 5.What level of service do you provide and what makes it the best available? 6.What roles do you and your employees play? 7.What kind of relationships will you maintain with suppliers? 8.How different are you from your competitors? 9.How will you use resources such as technology, capital, processes, products and services to reach your goals? 10.What fundamental philosophies or values guided your responses to the above questions?