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When starting a business there are so many details to be addressed. Some of these are tangible such as location, the space itself, the furniture, etc. There are legal details to be addressed – licensing, occupancy issues, tax registrations, etc. In addition to these tangible details there are intangible details that are just as important. Two very important intangible details are the visions and the mission statements.
The vision and mission statements act as the philosophical foundation for your wellness center. The vision statement is a broad umbrella statement for your center that needs to be strong enough and broad enough to last. Some people would say to hold the vision up as the ideal. Others would say that it needs to be realistic concept for your business. Your mission statement gives more details about the business—its purpose.
What is a vision statement?
A vision is a one line statement about how you want your center to be seen. It gives an instant mental picture of your company.
What is a mission statement?
The mission statement flows from the center’s vision. A mission statement is something that is a short explanatory statement about your company. It says who you are, what you do, why you do what you do and for what reasons. In less than 100 words, it tells people the essence or spirit of your organization. It is the action that flows from your vision.
If done properly creating a mission statement takes time for thought and discussion. You need time for introspection and clarity to create thoughtful expressions and careful analysis. Quite often creating a mission statement can take many rewrites to express the core of the company.
Once you have your mission statement it can undergird all your actions. It is a good method for checks and balances. Before starting a new endeavor or partnership you can ask yourself “does this align with our mission statement?”
What should your mission statement say?
Your mission statement is a broad clear statement about your organization.
- It should explain who you are (name).
- Next include what do you do (focus).
- What will be different—eliminate traditional healthcare or provide greater awareness of wellness issues?
- Next is a short statement about your reasons for doing what you do (purpose).
As you can see, your vision and mission statements undergird your business. It helps to keep you focused on the reasons you do what you do. It also helps your employees to stay focused with you on this common theme and can make your business be more effective and profitable.
This excerpt was taken from A Guide to Creating Your Wellness Center by Paula Jilanis (2011)
For more information on this subject or the ACM Massage Therapy Program contact Paula Jilanis through the contact page.
Massage Therapy at Allegany College of Maryland 