Creating a successful organization requires a well-defined mission that guides its activities and decisions. In the context of winning organizations, the mission should embody the core values, purpose, and long-term vision of the company. Let’s check out some key drivers for a winning mission.

Start with a clear purpose. The mission should clearly articulate why the organization exists and the impact it aims to make in the world. This purpose serves as a rallying point for employees, stakeholders, and customers, aligning them towards a common goal.

Integrate values and ethics. Explicitly stating the organization’s values establishes the principles and standards by which it operates. This fosters a strong organizational culture and guides decision-making at all levels.

Do not forget innovation and adaptation. A forward-looking mission should emphasize innovation and the ability to adapt to changing market dynamics. This encourages continuous improvement and helps the organization stay ahead in a competitive landscape.

Clients? Yes please! Putting customers at the center of the mission emphasizes the importance of providing value and excellent service. Understanding and meeting customer needs is crucial for long-term success.

Suppliers? Can’t live without them. Making sure that suppliers are part of your mission forces you to accept your dependencies, you are not alone.

Keep the world at large in it. Winning organizations often integrate social responsibility into their mission, committing to sustainable practices, community engagement, and ethical behavior.

Your people are in this too. People make an organization. They are a vital element to your mission.

Managing the mission in contracts is highly relevant.

Once the mission is established, managing it in contracts ensures that it remains at the forefront of all business activities. Here’s how the mission can be integrated into contract management:

Alignment with Objectives, oft forgotten. Contracts should reflect the organization’s mission by aligning objectives, deliverables, and performance metrics with the broader goals of the company. This ensures that all parties involved are working towards the same mission. Don’t buy or sell for buying or selling stake, think mission!

Ethics are in there as well. Contracts should incorporate ethical standards and compliance requirements that are in line with the organization’s values.

Never stop learning and evaluate. Regularly assessing contract performance against the mission helps in maintaining alignment and identifying areas for improvement.

Doing something or not creates a risk. The mission can guide risk management decisions in contracts by identifying areas of potential risk that may conflict with the organization’s values or long-term objectives.

Adapt and change. Contracts should be designed to be flexible and adaptable to changes in the business environment or shifts in the organization’s mission.

Author: Arjen van Berkum