101 Mission Statements from Top Companies ─ Plus Guidelines for Writing Your Own Mission Statement

Ben & Jerry'??s has one. So do Tiffany'??s and Smucker'??s and Microsoft. It doesn'??t matter whether you'??re a small start-up or one of the biggest players in corporate America. A clear statement of intent not only inspires a sense of overall purpose for a business or nonprofit, it serves as a practical focus for individuals within the organization. It can even provide an actual blueprint for a company'??s future and, ultimately, its success. Selected from among America'??s most successful corporations and recognizable brands, these statements vary widely in style, length, and language. However, they all share a universal vision of excellence that includes superiority in their fields, respect for and responsibility toward employees and clients, dedication to stated business goals, and community-oriented values. Additionally, 101 MISSION STATEMENTS instructs the new or future entrepreneur in crafting and customizing a mission statement that will inspire, motivate, and meet the specific needs and aspirations of the organization and its members.

JEFFREY ABRAHAMS is a graduate of the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop, a former journalist, and an award-winning advertising and marketing copywriter for small businesses and Fortune 500 companies. He lives in Oakland, California.