So What?

By: markweaver Monday October 27, 2014 comments

I remember the mission of Philip Crosby Associates even though it has been a few years since I worked there.  I suspect the other 299 or so people who were part of the team back then could too.  “The mission of Philip Crosby Associates is to provide lives for our associates and to improve the quality of goods and services all over the world.”  We heard that mission, saw that mission, lived that mission, and believed that mission.  Every day.
 
Today I joke that more people can quote the mission of the Starship Enterprise than they can the mission of the organization they are part of.  Why is that?
 
Your mission should describe why the organization exists; its purpose; its “core.” A good way to think about your mission is what the world would look like if your organization did not exist.  If your mission doesn’t do those things, it may be too generic to help your team members know why they should be part of the team despite the ups and downs any organization goes through.  And if that happens, potential customers may not see the value of your organization over others.
 
But with any mission, it has to stay front and center to really sink in and become the fabric of the organization.  It has to be as top of mind as Star Trek!  The mission of the Starship Enterprise had 3 points; PCA’s had 2.  Some people questioned why Phil put “associates” – who others would have called “employees” or “staff” - before the impact he wanted his organization to have.  Think about it!