GodSpeaks On Mission
A mission statement supersedes our business model. It holds us accountable to an impact rather than a specific result. A good mission statement transcends our current time, industry, and location. It might look different, but we could pursue our mission 1000 years ago, or 100 years from now.
What is your company's (or your) mission statement?
No worries, I've got a minute...
If your mind went a little blank, that's okay. If you nailed it, well done!
Articulating the mission of GodSpeaks has been both rewarding and challenging. On one hand, we are building something very dear to our hearts. On the other hand, trying to nail it in a single line and not constantly think about minor tweaks feels impossible.
So we cheat... sort of.
Just like my wedding where I had two best men, we can have as many mission statements as we want, as long as they serve the same purpose without compromising one another.
What is the purpose of a mission statement?
Great question!
A mission statement supersedes our business model. It holds us accountable to a kind of impact rather than a specific result. A good mission statement transcends our current time, industry, and location. We could pursue our mission 1000 years ago, or 100 years from now.
Can I have an example?
I thought you'd never ask. Remember Blockbuster?
They had an amazing mission statement!
To be the global leader in rentable home entertainment by providing outstanding service, selection, convenience and value.
Dang that's good, and nowhere does it say, have thousands of physical locations...
Except they seemed to forget their mission when Netflix started mailing people physical DVD's and not charging late fee's, which really blew people's expectation of outstanding service and convenience out of the water.
Did you know Netflix asked Blockbuster to buy them? I wasn't in the room, but I can imagine Blockbuster's (faulty) logic - we have physical stores all over the country, what do we need them for? Which brings up a KEY point about the difference between mission and business models -
When your business model supersedes your mission, you're one industry shift from being irrelevant.
On the other hand, a strong mission statement can help you focus on the value and impact you provide and give you the courage to pivot when your business is being challenged.
So why can you only have one?
Exactly my thinking! We have a central theme to our mission statements, but we have many useful ways to articulate about it without distracting ourselves or compromising what we are doing. A lot of this is also because I like to market our mission, so be it. Anyway, check these out -
The List Version
The mission of GodSpeaks is to encourage believers to -
- Be with God
- Hear Him speak
- Write it down
- Remember
The Power Sentence Version
GodSpeaks encourages believers to connect intentionally with the Lord every day so that they would know Him, hear Him speak, and remain in Him.
The Code Version
The Quick Version
GodSpeaks facilitates divine interruption.
Four versions, and counting!
We are a mission-driven company, which means we are creative in the way we think about and do business to accomplish our mission. We are not afraid of the tech industry changing, or the way people use phones or computers. We know that:
- God is not changing.
- Our understanding of God is continually growing.
- When we encounter God, we must be changed.
Catch-22 right? God's not changing and we always are. That is why are mission is about encountering God and not memorializing what we currently understand.
Regardless of what we learn, we want to be trusted to encourage believers to connect with the Lord and remember what God has done.
(Does that sound like another mission statement?)