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clear mission statement essay
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In today’s business world, it is difficult to find mission statements that are both effective and clear in communicating the company’s core values. “Our mission is to provide book-lovers and those they care about with the most inspiring retail and online environments in the world for books and life-enriching products and services.” This mission statement is strong and focuses on its target audience, while effectively representing the fundamentals of “big” writing. “BIG Writing: The Fundamental Discipline of Business Writing”, by Michael Sheldon and Janice Willett, explains the importance of BIG messages in business writing and the ways in which BIG writing can be implemented. BIG is an acronym for “Business Is Good”, and describes the core messages that should form the basis of a company’s communication.
The aforementioned mission statement belongs to Indigo Books & Music and is an effective example of a strong core message. In 2010, Indigo reported over one billion dollars in revenues. It is fair to state that “business is good” for the company. The success of the business can be partially attributed to the use of the BIG principles of business writing and BIG core messages. The objective and audience are clearly established in one succinct sentence, embodying the three rules of BIG writing. Moreover, the tone of the statement remains formal and grammatically correct, yet still focuses on Indigo’s overall goal.
Sheldon and Willett argue that the mission statement is the most important BIG message a company can create because it is “a succinct, highly charged statement of the company’s direction and purpose that sets the tone for every employee’s activities” (Sheldon 101) Furthermore, BIG writing should be the official la...
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...writing is not an original idea. Companies know that core messages must be effective and smoothly connect with each other. Sheldon and Willett present their ideas creatively through an easy-to-read medium. However, the article falls short in introducing anything new, much like Indigo’s core messages fail to introduce creative values.
In conclusion, Sheldon & Willett present an effective argument through BIG writing. BIG messages should be positive, succinct and memorable, and smoothly correlate to other core messages. The ideas introduced in the article are not original, but neither are Indigo’s core values. However, Indigo reaps the rewards of having a unified strategy throughout its core messaging, as its revenues suggest. The foundations of BIG writing ensure a level of professionalism and reduce crossed lines of communication, but are not “big” on creativity.
One of his strongest qualities is adding a message that connects with many types of readers but at the same time focuses on one idea. These messages may not...
An article discussing the importance of a mission statement states that a mission statements’ job is to outline the organization’s unique purpose and establish the basis of its values and traits, as well as describe the attitude that is to be expected of those a part of the organization. Furthermore, this philosophical foundation sets the “tone” for physical actions, meaning that the content of the mission statement can determine the behavior of personnel (Hitt & Ireland, 1992).
messages are used to draw in the reader and stir up interest in the product.
A mission statement is important because it creates the general big picture of the company and every employee can relate to it no matter what their job within the company is. With a list of values and norms the Ivanovics create a level of expectation when it comes to attitude and behavior. If the owners follow the same values and norms as the employees, the employees will feel like they are a meaningful part of the business. This will allow the employees to feel more committed to their jobs.
A mission statement should define the organization, why they exist, who they are serving, and what products and services they offer (Aguinis, 2013). Aguinis (2013) includes eight components for a good mission statement. These components are products or services offered, customers being served, benefits to their products or services, technology being used, growth and profitability, managerial philosophy, public image, and self-concept of business by the employees and stockholders (Aguisis, 2013).
Reminding each other that in order to look at the future the necessity is to deal with the present. According to Sullivan, “real thinking is better done without words than with them, and creative thinking must be done without words”, this is untrue because without words no one is able to think in both real and creative terms. The way people express themselves in writing is because they thought about the words they were going to be using to send the society a message. Sullivan states that people don’t have time to build words, but don’t words help in expanding the thoughts into bigger details. Words help in various forms of expanding the vocabulary and the thought
Everybody that is in business is there to make a profit (some firms are just tax shelters) and there are only so many products and services available. What sets the competition apart is how they execute their business practices. This is where a mission statement becomes the “blueprint” for doing business. “The mission statement needs to be longer than a phrase or sentence, but not a 2-page document” (David, 2003). This document not only points the managers in the right direction, it also gives the employee a sense of why they are working for this company. In addition, the mission statement not only gives purpose and direction, it should also give motivation and pride not only to the employees of the company but also their customers. The bottom line in any business is to make a profit and in order to do this; the business must find a way for their customers to spend money in their firm. Whole Foods Market ® incorporates many of the guide lines discussed in the readings; however, their mission statement exceeds the two page recommended length.
A result of having a specific mission statement is that it is a challenge to make recommendations to improve communications that align with their mission. However, Hopalong's use of a consistent banner that includes their mission statement in their website offers ideal recommendations. Strive for consistent communications, for example, aligns with the constant banner and mission statement. As does keeping communications straightforward and accessible. Any person reading Hopalong's mission knows what the organization is determined to accomplish. Recommend Hopalong's internal and external communications endeavor for the same directness and accessibility as seen in their banner and mission
The compiling of mission and value statements are of vital importance to any agency or entity. Although some individuals may view them as verbiage to appease the public, these statements of goals and values are of great importance. In fact, if appropriately instituted, written values and mission statements provide a unified purpose for the whole department (Hader, 2006). Likewise, everyone in an agency or entity understands the values of the institution, and the overall objectives then it fosters an environment of personal interest in achieving said objectives. Nevertheless, when an agency provides value and mission statements, it expresses the type of enforcement the administration will attempt to enact.
Statement should be in the form which is describing the company’s feature and work, not on “making a profit”—earning a profit is an objective not a mission.
ideas and manner in a absolute new way. This way of message have also have a huge impact on corporation, where
There are several forms of technical writing. Each form is important to business success and influences their viability and success. Those unfamiliar with how effective technical writing can improve a company’s performance and overall satisfaction of its employees and vendors, often overlook that importance. The data are clear – companies that focus on effective communication succeed. Rich Maggiani, a communications consultant in Essex, Vermont asserts that the return on investment for communications focused companies is 57% higher than those exhibiting poor communications skills. He further states that those companies who lose sight of effective communication can lose up to 15% of their market valuation (Maggiani). Organizational studies further solidify that not only is profitability improved, but also employee retention is improved (Watson, Wyatt & Company). Let us explore some of the ways that technical writing as communication can be effective tools. Throughout this exploration, we will look at three distinct methods of technical writing that businesses use to communicate.
...The Medium is the Message." Smashing Magazine. 4 July 2011: n. page. Web. 9 Nov. 2011. .
The mission statement for Harley Davidson is shorter than one might expect based on the components that are contained within an ideal mission statement. The breakdown of the eight characteristics of an ideal mission statement is fairly comprehensive despite the brevity of the statement. Although as will be discussed there is room for improvement in addressing all the components of an ideal mission statement. Aguinis (2013) points out that at times vision and mission statements can blend together; this is evidently the case with Harley Davidson as well as will be discussed.
Writing has changed because of the efficiency that technology provides. With the invention of instant messaging, writing has started to become something new entirely. People are writing more often and faster to get a message across. Luckily, students know that the writing that they do with friends is much different than what employers are looking for in the work place (Guffey, M.E., & Loewy, D., pg. 3-29).