Is Your Mission Statement Really Your Mission?

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What is your mission statement?

I don't care whether you are a business owner or an employee.  Either way, if you're motivated, you have a mission statement.

How many times have you seen a company's mission statement, gone to visit that company (or talked with someone from there) and seen a disconnect?

How often do we realize that a mission statement really is a "looking good" statement, not really saying anything or truly reflecting the company?

Randomly, I am picking different companies and sharing the mission statement from each.  Let's see how convinced YOU are of any of these.

COMPANIES THAT DON'T HAVE IT RIGHT

Why The Best Businesses Try to Offend People

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A business offend people?  on purpose?  THAT is good business?

Well....Yes....when you offend people "correctly."

What do I mean?

Nearly every day, I meet owners and managers of businesses.  Many of these people represent really small businesses, maybe where they have to sell and market on top of running the business.

I ask them, "Who is your market?"

Often, they will answer, "Everyone."

I ask them some variation of "Where do you sell your service?"

Way too many of them respond, "I service EVERYWHERE."

KEY POINT: Selling to everyone, everywhere is NOT good business.

I Became a More Effective Marketer When I Did This

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Recently, a recent marketing college graduate approached me.  He knew that I am a marketer, and he was wisely trying to build his list of marketing contacts.

While talking with him, I learned that he is part of some interesting things.  After exchanging a few emails, I could see that he knows how to write well, even sending me a couple of press release examples.

Prefer to listen instead of read?  Here is a recording...

 

Amongst those interesting things he involves himself, he sits on the board of a non-profit group.  He expressed a little frustration that he would like to cover events more often by writing press releases.  This gentleman shared that he wished that other board members of this group cooperated more by giving him the information that he needs...so that he can write those press releases.

I gave this gentleman a piece of advice that allowed ME to become a more effective marketer once I started doing this...

A Big Difference between a Freelancer vs. Business Owner

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I often wonder what makes someone a freelancer vs. a business person.

A business person knows that some things need to be done, even when no money is involved.

Because I network a lot and give talks, a lot of people with businesses approach me.  Most of them ask me some variation of how to build their business.

In most cases, I try to do my best giving advice to them that I would give to my best friend, if he asked that same question for the same type of business.

Most of the time, I don't notice any of these people actually FOLLOWING that advice.

Why?