The Value of a Construction Company Mission Statement

A mission statement encapsulates a company's daily operations and overarching purpose, effectively conveying its values and culture. Crafting a strong, concise mission statement, can help construction companies sharpen their focus, attract ideal clients, retain talented employees and reaffirm their core purpose. 

In this article, we will explore the benefits of inspiring construction mission statements and the main elements to include. We’ll discuss the differences between vision, values and mission statements, plus provide quick tips for writing a construction mission statement and some examples from large and small construction contractors.

The Importance of a Strong Mission Statement

Construction companies of all sizes and types can benefit from having a strong mission statement to clarify their central purpose. While construction executives may have the strongest hand in drafting the mission statement, every employee in the organizational hierarchy and on the job site should be able to feel aligned with the mission.

Here are the benefits of a clear mission statement.

Clarifying Core Purpose

A good mission statement provides clients, employees and other stakeholders with an easy-to-digest understanding of the company. Whether a company builds manufacturing facilities or provides a specialized trade service, its mission statement clearly states the central aim of its work.

Conveying Value and Building Relationships

The mission statement highlights the company's services and values for potential clients, partners, employees and investors. Communicating the guiding principles and business purpose becomes a core part of relationship-building for construction companies.

Guiding Business Decisions

Well-described principles and objectives help companies make sound business decisions that align with the mission. A solid understanding of the mission helps employees make project decisions and take actions that continue to project the company’s values and purpose.

Standing Out in the Market

A solid mission statement will reveal the characteristics that define the company and establish the company’s positioning in the marketplace. The mission helps differentiate a company from competitors.

Attracting, Inspiring and Retaining Talent

In a tight construction labor market, a convincing mission statement can give new hires and long-term employees a sense of belonging and a purpose to dedicate their work. The mission statement helps shape the workplace culture and supports a positive and productive environment on the job site and in the office. Employees have a shared sense of purpose and are accountable for providing the services in the spirit of the company’s values. 

Enhancing Marketing Strategies

The mission statement can act as a springboard for all marketing materials, including website and social media text, branding guidelines and proposal writing.

Elements of a Construction Company Mission Statement

While it may seem straightforward, it requires careful thought to craft a mission statement that accurately reflects a company's values, purpose and objectives. Ideally, a mission statement should be one to three concise sentences. Key elements to include are:

• Company Purpose

  Define what the company does for its clients and the primary reason it exists.

• Target Clients

  Highlight the client outcomes and specify the type of clients the company serves.

• Character and Values

  Convey the unique qualities and values that differentiate the company from competitors.

Writing a mission statement helps clarify the core issues the company addresses, whether it's building roadways to connect communities or creating affordable, beautiful living spaces. Involving team members in this process ensures the mission statement captures the company's true essence.

Differentiating Vision, Values and Mission Statements

A mission statement describes what a company does for its customers, while a values statement outlines its philosophy and ideals. Construction companies often blend these, incorporating values into their mission statements.

Some companies have all three types of statements:

• Mission Statement

  Focuses on the company's current purpose

• Values Statement

  Details what the company stands for, including expected employee behaviors

• Vision Statement

  Sets future goals, providing targets for specified periods such as six months, one year and five years

It's best to keep the mission statement focused on the present and it can point to the core of company values. A fleshed-out values statement can include safety and sustainability commitments, transparency and fairness to employees and clients and innovation or quality intentions. A separate vision statement aligns employees with future goals and offers concrete metrics to strive for together.

Construction Mission Statement Examples

When companies have separate vision and values statements, the mission statement is usually shorter. Longer mission statements often include vision, values and sometimes further company or service descriptions. Shorter mission statements can be easier to remember and infuse throughout the company culture. These examples can provide inspiration to companies seeking to create or revise their mission statements. 

6 Quick Tips for Writing a Mission Statement

Mission statements focus on the company’s core strengths and activities and show how the company works to fulfill a need in the marketplace. Here are some quick tips to help sharpen a construction mission statement.

1. Brevity is best.

   Keeping things short and to the point makes for a more straightforward statement that can be used in many contexts.

2. Keep it simple and authentic.

   The statement should be easy to understand and based on conviction and genuine intention for the company’s work.

3. Focus on present purpose.

   Focus on the company's near-term activities, saving future goals for a vision statement. In 10 years, the company may wish to be a player in international markets, but if the company currently serves a couple US states, focus on the aims of current projects. The mission statement should ground the current work, inspire client confidence and motivate employees.

4. Use a client-centric approach.

   Builders exist to provide solutions to customers, so focus on how the company serves clients. This is the core objective of the business.

5. Brainstorm and revise.

   Develop ideas by incorporating different perspectives, then try multiple versions and get feedback. Creating an accurate and inspiring message requires thought.

6. Remember: It's not written in stone.

   Companies grow and take on different types of projects, serve new client types and company culture can change. Mission statements can evolve with the company, so today’s mission statement doesn’t need to be the final word on the company.

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Living the Mission in Construction

Developing a mission statement that truly resonates with a company’s work and character builds morale and helps employees “live the mission.”

A well-crafted mission not only unifies team members towards common goals but communicates the company’s core values to clients and the community. A strong mission statement guides decision-making, enhances marketing strategies and creates a sense of pride among employees.

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