Reviewing Company's Mission Statements Research Paper

Reviewing Company's Mission Statements - Research Paper Example It should also be the standard with which the company is willing to be evaluated. According to Bart and Tabone (1998), mission statements should be ‘enduring, passionate, and lacking in specific quantitative measurements’. However, there are circumstances when a company finds its mission statement outdated and is often misaligned with new business objectives. There are times when a company’s mission statement is no longer â€Å"relevant in addressing to new realities† (Radtke, 2009) and thus be a subject for review to â€Å"reflect changes in institutions, as well as in the environments within which the institutions are called on to function† (Bart & Tabone, 1998). This paper examines such instances when companies modify and alter their mission statements in accordance to the changes in corporate values and the business environment. The paper should further explain why corporations are spending time reviewing their mission statement and why this has become an increasing concern for the organization. Mission Statement and Its Impact The main benefit of crafting an effective mission statement is that it creates an impact to people who get exposed to it. According to Abrahams (2007), a well-crafted mission statement serves as a â€Å"practical focus for individuals within the corporation†. This means that company statements often inspire and influence certain needs and aspirations of the organization and its employees. When assimilated into the organization’s culture, mission statements become an integral part of the strategic planning process of the company (David & Pierce III, 1987). In other words, it helps company managers and employees to stay focused on the organization’s goals. However, a mission statement is not only be beneficial to people within the company but also to its target audience – customers, investors, and possibly donors. Birbaum (2004) emphasized the significant impact of a company ’s mission statement to its customers because it is what defines them. When people are presented with an organization’s statement of intent, it gives them a clear picture of what the organization is trying to do. Because of these reasons, mission statements are considered as â€Å"an actual blue print for a company’s future and ultimately, its success† (Abrahams, 2007). When the organization successfully integrates the goals and values expressed in its mission statement and acts according in accordance to its principles, then it secures its morale and strengthens its reputation as a company. On the other hand, when a company succumbs to weaknesses and failures inside and outside the organization, its morale crumbles and its reputation becomes shaky. Mission Statement and Its Limitations An organization’s mission statement is central to its business strategy. As such, it is important that company statements should be, according to Bart and Tabone (1 998), â€Å"enduring (i.e., they should not have a time frame); passionate (i.e., they should be emotionally charged); and lacking in specific quantitative measurements (i.e., financial goals)†. However, Grunig & Kuhn (2008) further extends these characteristics of mission statements into reasons why it should be flexible and dynamic. The authors argued that while a mission statement does not include a time frame for its validity, it should nevertheless remain under review

Philosophy of Human Conduct Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Philosophy of Human Conduct - Essay Example I agree with Pojman's thoughts and see the fault with society's focus on only the end result and generalizing merit by not taking into account an individual's struggles and strengths I agree when Pojman points out that "nondeserved merit can be features that the natural lottery has distributed such as ones basic intelligence, personality type, skin color, good looks, and physical endowments" (86). I also think that merit comes more easily to those who are properly equipped to achieve it. For example I look at celebrities or wealthy aristocrats who have been granted merit for their large contributions to charity. These individuals may receive more praise and admiration than an everyday working class citizen who gives their last dollar to a homeless man on the street. I believe that the everyday citizen deserves just as much merit as the celebrity or wealthy aristocrat because the amount of money that one gives is not what warrants merit, but the generosity of the individual depending on their own personal income and what they can afford. Pojman points out that "Dessert then, is closely connected to effort and intention, whereas merit signifies positive qualities that call forth a positive response, including qualities that we do not deserve" (87). I think that Pojman used a great example out of Mickey Mantle discussing that just because he was a famous baseball player does not mean that he earned or deserved a liver transplant more than anyone else. I don't think that any human being can truly give merit to another because we can never know the inner workings of someone other than ourselves. Pojman says, "Whereas God, knowing our inner motivations, rewards purely on the basis of desert, we fallible beings, being far less certain as to how to measure effort and intentionality, tend to reward merit, the actual contribution or positive results produced" (87). The essay goes on to say that, " Another objection that underlines much of the suspicion of merit is the natural lottery, the idea that we do not deserve our genes, or natural talents, our families, our society, or even our determination to make an effort" (99). I agree that it would not be fair to give merit to someone for being successful in something that they were born to do. Just because someone is good at something doesn't mean they deserve any credit, credit should be given to the person who put in the most effort no matter the result of the effort. Someone could train everyday for a triathlon and still lose the race to someone who was born with more athletic ability than they have. Just because that person won the race does not mean that they put in as much effort or deserve to win. This belief that "effort is the decisive criterion of merit" (91), means that just because something comes easily for one person does not mean it is easy for everyone. Pojman says, "We are stewards of our talents and are judged on the basis of what we can do with them. Those who use their talents wisely and industriously deserve to be rewarded, whereas those who neglect their talents deserve reprobation" (90). I also think that if you acknowledge your ability, and push yourself in it, becoming the best that you possibly can, then merit is definitely deserved for your effort. I like the story Pojman told of the carpenter building the chair in the factory of the entrepreneur. The entrepreneur is talented in finding ways to make money