Mission Statement

Mission of an organization is the purpose for which the organization is. Mission is again a single statement, and carries the statement in verb. Mission in one way is the road to achieve the vision. For example, for a luxury products company, the vision could be ‘To be among most admired luxury brands in the world’ and mission could be ‘To add style to the lives’

A good mission statement will be :

Clear and Crisp: While there are different views, We strongly recommend that mission should only provide what, and not ‘how and when’. We would prefer the mission of ‘Making People meet their career’ to ‘Making people meet their career through effective career counseling and education’. A mission statement without ‘how & when’ element leaves a creative space with the organization to enable them take-up wider strategic choices.
Have to have a very visible linkage to the business goals and strategy: For example you cannot have a mission (for a home furnishing company) of ‘Bringing Style to People’s lives’ while your strategy asks for mass product and selling. Its better that either you start selling high-end products to high value customers, OR change your mission statement to ‘Help people build homes’.
Should not be same as the mission of a competing organization. It should touch upon how its purpose it unique.

Mission follows the Vision:

The Entire process starting from Vision down to the business objectives, is highly iterative. The question is from where should be start. I strongly recommend that mission should follow the vision. This is because the purpose of the organization could change to achieve their vision.

For example, to achieve the vision of an Insurance company ‘To be the most trusted Insurance Company’, the mission could be first ‘making people financially secure’ as their emphasis is on Traditional Insurance product. At a later stage the company can make its mission as ‘Making money work for the people’ when they also include the non-traditional unit linked investment products.

TOYOTA

Vision
-Toyota aims to achieve long-term, stable growth economy, the local communities it serves, and its stakeholders.

Mission
-Toyota seeks to create a more prosperous society through automotive manufacturing.

IBM

Vision

Solutions for a small planet

Mission

At IBM, we strive to lead in the invention, development and manufacture of the industry’s most advanced information technologies, including computer systems, software, storage systems and microelectronics.

We translate these advanced technologies into value for our customers through our professional solutions, services and consulting businesses worldwide.