MISSION STATEMENTS
Steven Cesare, Ph.D.
An ambitious business owner from Michigan called me the other day to discuss his thoughts for taking his family-run company to the next level. Historically successful and intrigued by the future, the business owner has decided his company needs a major overhaul instead of patchwork tune ups. During our initial meeting, fueled by a latent degree of high-octane energy, the business owner rattled off a litany of Christmas wish list items that would have sent Santa to a therapist and his elves to several North Pole taverns, including: a career ladder, multiple bonus plans, OSHA-compliant safety program, complete library of administrative and field operations forms, wage and salary scales, field training programs, wage and hour audit procedures, a new performance management system, and of course, the obligatory employee handbook.
Consistent with his intellectual poise, the owner acknowledged that for those human resources components to enjoy sustainable success, a sound company culture must first be defined, implemented, and rewarded. To that end, we browsed the existential process of developing a taut Mission Statement representing a memorable explanation of the organization’s reason for existence; describing the organization’s purpose, by communicating intent and direction to employees, customers, vendors, and other stakeholders. A Mission Statement inspires all stakeholders to action. To stimulate his strategic plight, I sent the following array of Mission Statements from other green industry companies, to him as a reference guide.
- “We don’t just provide a service; we provide a solution!”
- “We want to be the industry leader for outdoor lighting and landscape irrigation in Northern Virginia.”
- “To enhance the beauty and value of each client’s property while exceeding their expectations.”
- “To create landscape management partnerships through unsurpassed customer service and quality.”
- “To be recognized by our clients, our team members, and experts in our industry as the best landscaping company in our market area.”
- “The regional role model of landscape excellence.”
- “Provide excellent customer service and customer expectations in a safe and cost-effective manner.”
- “We love what we do, and it shows through customer satisfaction and employee retention.”
- “Healthy landscapes rooted in our clients’ peace of mind.”
- “To be recognized by our customers for providing the best value products and services, and by our employees as a quality company where they can develop and grow.”
- “To be the best landscape company, while taking care of the customer and each other.”
- “We beautify our clients’ communities by caring for their environment and connecting them to nature.”
- “Our niche is highest quality gardening with heart.”
- “Sowing Seeds of Change, Nurturing Relationships, Harvesting Dreams.”
- “The leader in horticultural excellence, customer satisfaction, and employee growth.”
- “A culture of caring team members delivering commercial landscapes that create joy.”
- “To provide better quality service to our customers, than we expect of ourselves.”
- “Through superior craftsmanship and continued pursuit of excellence and careful stewardship, we seek to provide lasting value to our employees and customers to fulfill their dreams.”
- “Our customers deserve more from us, so we deliver more to them.”
- “Building and maintaining great landscapes, while growing great people.”
- “Nurturing long lasting relationships with plants and people in our community.”
- “To enhance the beauty and functionality of each property we provide our products and services to.”
- “To guide our customers with our horticultural knowledge for a complete and satisfactory experience.”
- “To create a friendly and rewarding atmosphere for our employees to work together as a team.”
- “Passionate People, Outstanding Results.”
- “Through extraordinary construction and ongoing care, our company develops outstanding landscapes that reflect our love of Minnesota’s great outdoors.”
- “The most respected landscape company in our market by our teammates, vendors, and clients.”
- “Dedicated to delivering the highest quality of service and to educating our customers so that they understand why and how each process works.”
- “Good, Better, Best, Us”
- “To provide peace of mind to our clients by delivering the best care, because people deserve to work, live, and play surrounded by an environment that creates joy.”
Just curious: Is it time for your company Mission Statement to get an overhaul, or just another tune up?
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