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.”