Identify Companies Whose Missions Excite You

Do you wake up excited to go to work? If you are not working right now, where would you like to work? Why do some organizations appeal to us more than others?

Many people do not know how their daily work fits into a bigger picture. Work is enjoyable and productive when it gives us meaning and when we believe in a company’s goals.

How do we know where a company stands today and where it wants to go?

A mission statement tells us why a company exists. Sometimes called purpose, it announces a company’s focus, aims or objectives today to fulfill its vision.

How is a mission different from a vision? A mission is about now; a vision is about future aspirations and wider impact.

Google’s Mission Statement:

"To organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful."

Google’s Vision Statement:

“To provide access to the world’s information in one click.”

Together, mission and vision reflect an organization’s values and goals. These are meant to be long-lasting foundations – but as times change, so do missions and visions.

You will feel more connected to your work if your values are aligned to organizational values. It can make you ahappier employee or business partner!

Believing in a mission is motivating. Research shows that only 4 in 10 people know what their company stands for. Only 50% feel connected to their company’s mission.

Every employee and partner should know their collective mission. It helps each person understand short-term goals and stay on track to success.

If you can, it’s great to ask anyone working in or with an organization what the mission is. They should be able to tell you:

• who the organization is;

• what it does (and for whom); and

• what benefits it brings to the world.

If employees and partners can’t tell you a company’s mission, that could be a sign of a problem. But if you can’t find anyone to ask, that’s no problem – ask Google!

Today, almost every organization publishes mission and vision statements on its website. You can find them in print or online documents, but sometimes you have to search for an About section. Companies also publish their missions on social media channels.

Reflect

• Determining if a company’s mission matches your values means you also need to reflect. What is your mission and vision? One day a company might ask you!

View

• Watch the following video. What is the company’s purpose? Is the mission one that you support? Would you want to work here?

Ask these questions when you search for information about organizations you are involved with or would like to be associated with.

Discover

• Search for five companies whose missions and visions excite you. Follow them on social media and pay attention to whether their actions match their words.

Exciting work is better work.

Whoever you are on a team – or if you want to join a team – you need to know what it works towards and why. Understanding the team’s mission is one way to learn.

If you are a leader, make sure your mission and vision are clear. As an employee or partner, make it a point to understand an organization’s mission.

If you don’t have a mission or vision, it’s time to make one now!