Business Micro Action Exercise: Mission Statement Challenge

Mission Statement Challenge

This exercise is designed to help you reflect on the core of your business and articulate a clear, powerful mission statement. Taking the time to go through these questions will provide the clarity and purpose needed to guide every decision you make.

Section 1: Understanding Your Core "Why"

Let's start by digging into the fundamental reason your business exists.

1. Beyond profit, what truly drives you and your business? What is the underlying passion, belief, or principle that fuels your work every day?

2. If your business ceased to exist tomorrow, what would be the biggest loss to the world, your customers, or your community? What void would it leave?

3. What unique perspective or approach do you bring to your industry or the problem you're addressing?

Section 2: Identifying the Problem

A strong mission statement clearly articulates the challenge you are uniquely positioned to solve.

1. What specific, tangible problem or pain point does your business solve for your target audience? Be as precise as possible.

2. Describe the current state of affairs for those experiencing this problem. What does their struggle look like?

3. Why is this problem important to solve? What are the negative consequences if it remains unaddressed?

Section 3: Envisioning Your Impact

Your mission statement should convey the positive change you aim to create.

1. What real, measurable impact do you want to make on your customers' lives or the world at large? How will things be different because of your business?

2. Describe the desired future state for those you serve, once your solution is implemented. What does their success or transformation look like?

3. How does your solution contribute to a larger vision or a better future?

Section 4: Crafting Your Mission Statement

Now, let's condense your insights into a concise and compelling statement.

Based on your answers above, condense your business's "why," the specific problem you solve, and the real impact you want to make into a short, powerful mission statement.

Aim for 1-2 sentences. It should be:

• Clear: Easy to understand.

• Concise: To the point.

• Inspiring: Evokes a sense of purpose.

• Action-oriented: Suggests what you do.

Here's a common and effective formula you can use as a sentence framework:

"To [action verb] [what you do/offer] for [who you serve] so that [the positive impact/outcome]."

By going through this exercise, you should now have a much clearer and more impactful mission statement that will serve as a guiding star for all your business endeavours!