Developing a clear and concise mission statement early in an organization’s development is critical to its success. The first three benefits stated are tied to the process of creating the mission statement itself.
First, the process of creating a mission statement is tremendously valuable to the founders. This process helps define the company's goals to a concise and clear statement that is easy to share with the internal organization as well as to its customers.
Second, the process of defining the mission statement will help founders determine the scope of their effort; helps clarify competition and focus on their real market opportunities.
Third, create a better version of something that's already being done, help clearly differentiate your company from its competition.
Other benefits include direction, focus, policy, meaning, challenge, and passion. Direction states what the organization does and what it wants to be successful in. Focus concentrates on the company’s strengths and competitive advantages and tells people how to obtain them. Policy is a guideline of what a company finds acceptable and unacceptable and states organizational values. Meaning shows what a company strives to achieve and why they wish to do so. Challenge is the setting up of goals and measurements of achievement for employees. Passion makes everyone involved with the organization show feelings of enthusiasm, pride, and commitment.
One day all believers will stand before the Lord for an evaluation of how we lived our lives on earth. Will we hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant?" (Matt. 25:21)
--Jackie Jones is the Marketing and Communications Director of Christian Foundation Grants. She may be reached at jjones@christianfoundationgrants.com.
The Generous Donut
Donuts can be generous.
Let me explain. More than 17 years ago, my wife and I decided we’d pick a place and go there year after year for family vacations. That place was Estes Park, CO. The kids have enjoyed it, appreciate the routine and things they call ours—family traditions.
Well, one of the places we’ve come to appreciate is the Donut Haus. The Donut Haus has been in business for more than 30 years. They make handmade donuts and pastries. They say their hours are 6am to 12am, but in truth, they are usually sold out by 10:30. So we’ve learned to get their early particularly if you want your choice.
What’s their secret? How do they sell out so quickly? Generosity. They have generous donuts. My favorite is the raspberry filled donut. But this is no ordinary raspberry filled creation. In addition to light flaky pastry with just a light frosting glaze, this thing is filled edge to edge with raspberry. You need a napkin to catch the red raspberry dripping out.
Other places skimp on the filling—just a dollop in the middle and lots of bread. They are stingy on the stuff that counts. So we don’t buy donuts anywhere or anytime but the one time we go out to Estes Park. Their generosity has earned my business. Alas, if they could only figure out mail order!
Churchill said it: “we make a living by what we earn and we make a life by what we give away” -- even with donuts.
--William F. High is the President/General Counsel of the National Christian Foundation Heartland. He may be reached at
whigh@nationalchristian.com.