Your Company Needs A Mission Statement; Make It Count

Does anyone remember that book "Built to Last" donefranchisee / team member / our family in their
y the Stanford class and professor? Well change thatindividually owned Car Wash Guys business. To
to "Built to Merge." My grandfather was personalachieve these goals, we will strive to be the best. We
friends with Bill Hewlett and David Packard and I betwill make business decisions, which are good for the
they would not have wanted this merger withfranchisees, their communities, their customers as well
Compaq either. It is interesting that one night about 3 inas for us. Decisions, which are good both long and
the morning I was reading that book and decided toshort term, which strengthen our franchisees and our
change or mission statement and focus on the thingsname, which help us achieve success and help the
that meant the most to our team and our customers. Ienvironment. Decisions, which are fair for all concerned,
stayed up all night writing that mission statement toalways creating a WIN/WIN situation. To achieve all
make sure it was in line with the books comments onobjectives past, present and future, we will chose only
what it takes to make and keep a company great.the best prospective candidates to become
This was about 5 years ago when "Built to Last" wasfranchisees, the crème of the crop.YOUR
the talk of the business world and it was written up inMISSION (franchisee's and team members);to provide
many of the newspapers, and magazines I wascustomers with consistent mobile wash services at a
reading at the time. WSJ, Financial Times, Investorsreasonable price. To give the customer what they
Business Daily, The Economist, NY Times, etc. Even hitwant and foster repeat business. To provide
the best sellers list for a while, not bad for a businesscustomers with quality which stands out above the
non-fiction book by a professor.You must be honestcompetition. To own a business unlike others which
with yourself and your mission.Here is what I came upfosters community goodwill and makes customers
with after reading that book that night, I have notproud to be customers. To develop a situation
changed that mission statement nor do I feel we needwhereby when people of our town think car wash,
to, it was built to last;OUR VISION;To assist ourthey think Car Wash Guys. To use only
franchisees in achieving their American Dream,environmentally sound products and methods. To
whatever that dream may mean to them. To designretain enough profit to insure a comfortable lifestyle
and maintain a streamlined system of operations, topwhile achieving all of our mission goals.I was asked the
of the line car care products, innovative and effectiveother day if I was committed to those items listed, that
marketing, trouble free and efficient equipment, theanswer is YES, absolutely, I have to be or we do not
best support services and anything which will help theexist.