Who needs a mission statement? Maybe you do.

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Mission statements… what are they? Why have them? Why does it matter? Because it defines your company’s purpose and personality— so every business owner should write one early on. It should summarize why you exist and what you do. There’s no need for it to be lengthy, in fact make it as brief as possible—the details that underpin it should be mapped out elsewhere. Here are several reasons why they’re important here are several crucial principles your company’s mission statement should explain:


 
1. WHAT WE DO: This gives your organization a sense of direction and should define what makes you unique. Don’t be generic, focus on what it is that you endeavor to do differently than your competitors.
 
2. HOW WE DO IT: What is the culture of your company? What do you stand for internally (concerning employees) and externally (for customers and community). This will also provide your staff and customers with a clear summary of expectations. Often employees can suffer from feeling a lack of purpose in their job… just another cog in the wheel. With a succinct mission statement that everyone can get behind, employees feel inspired and more invested. It encourages all to work harder toward a common well-defined goal, improving productivity and in turn profitability and defines to customers how they can expect to be treated.
 
3. KEEP IT CURRENT: A clear mission statement can provide the blueprint for your decision making process, keeping you committed to your founding principles. However, it should never be set it stone. It’s all about now, not necessarily the future. Your company’s priorities and focus may change over time possibly due to an economic shift or major changes in government policy. If this happens, you need to evaluate if your current mission statement still rings true and amend it if necessary to reflect current objectives. 
 
4. IT LETS EVERYONE KNOW YOU’RE A SERIOUS BUSINESS. Having a mission statement on the wall shows you care enough about your business to define know exactly who you are. Showing that you’re professional and organized conveys credibility.

  • “As a Chamber of Commerce, it is important to work with companies who are not only professional and trustworthy, but also provide accurate, prompt and courteous service. The staff at Graphic Impact have accomplished all of these traits during our relationship of over 10 years.”

    “Graphic Impact did an incredible job in creating our city map and “Simply Troy” Quality of Life book. It has been a real pleasure working with the professional and courteous staff at Graphic Impact. Even under some of the toughest deadlines the quality is unsurpassed and the attention to every detail makes the ultimate difference.”

    Sabra Johnson, Executive Director, Troy Area Chamber of Commerce
  • I engaged Graphic Impact on several projects that included brand development, marketing brochures and advertisement development. They have consistently exceeded my expectations with creative, timely and competitive solutions to my organization’s marketing needs.”

    Bill Murphy, Assistant City Manager, Piqua, OH, Piqua Economic Development Director, Director of Grow Piqua Now

  • We have been working with Graphic Impact for many years with wonderful results. Our nonprofit has strict national branding standards, and they always follow the set guidelines while offering creative and eye-catching marketing materials. They are quick to respond to our needs and truly work with us to reach our goals while staying on budget and on time.”

    Jessi Graham, Director of Marketing and Communications, YMCA

  • “I have worked with Graphic Impact for over 10 years and can always count on them to be timely and responsive to our needs. Our logo is recognized throughout our community due to branding which is creative and effective. Our marketing portfolio even won second place at the Hermes Awards!”

    Anne Beane, retired Superintendent, Mound Street Academies
  • I appreciate how Graphic Impact continues to help strengthen Chaminade Julienne's branding in our community. Beginning with a logo redesign, the firm's artists have successfully expanded our unique look into an array of marketing materials that strongly supports the school's mission as well as admissions and development efforts.”

    Tina Wagoner, Communications Coordinator, Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School

  • Both the Fairborn Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Fairborn were overjoyed with the stunning Quality of Life publication that was produced in collaboration with Graphic Impact. The Chamber has received rave compliments on the publication from a myriad of sources and the positive comments continue every time a new viewer gets a chance to pour through its pages.”

    Paul Newman, Executive Director, Fairborn Area Chamber of Commerce

  • The Graphic Impact staff were very attentive in learning about our business and ultimately became quite committed to the mission of the agency. They designed a fabulous billboard and literature campaign for us which carried into a redesigned website as well. We were able to achieve just the look that we wanted and just the campaign that we wanted to run and ultimately succeeded in passing a levy.”

    Rhonda E. Reagh, Ph.D., retired Executive Director, Greene County Children Services

  • As a Chamber of Commerce, it is important to work with companies who are not only professional and trustworthy, but also provide accurate, prompt and courteous service. The staff at Graphic Impact have accomplished all of these traits during our relationship of over 10 years.” “Graphic Impact did an incredible job in creating our city map and “Simply Troy” Quality of Life book. It has been a real pleasure working with the professional and courteous staff at Graphic Impact. Even under some of the toughest deadlines the quality is unsurpassed and the attention to every detail makes the ultimate difference.”

    Sabra Johnson, Executive Director, Troy Area Chamber of Commerce

  • Graphic Impact was able to take the Troy Development Council’s marketing efforts and our TROY OHIO USA logo to an entirely new level. Our directions to Graphic Impact were very simple: ‘Create a set of marketing materials that will make our competition beat a path to your door.’ They did and the rest is history.”

    Chuck Cochran, retired President & CEO, Troy Development Council

  • I picked up the (Troy) Community Book this morning before coming into the office and I really could not put it down. It is really really great! Not only is the content outstanding but even the ads provide excellent information and look fantastic! I know it was a great deal of work but what a success. Congratulations! ”

    J.C. Wallace, President, Troy Area Chamber of Commerce, Troy Development Council