Mission and objectives Mission

The mission of an organization is its overall function it performs in society. This mission charts the direction of the company and provides a basis for strategic decision making.

Objectives

A firm's objectives usually fall into the areas of marketing; profitability; finance; production; research and development. Bear these in mind as you work through the following exercise.

IMAGINE YOURSELF AS AN ORGANIZATION: WHAT KIND OF LIFE STRATEGY SHOULD YOU PLAN?

1. Mission Check

Prepare a brief mission statement for your career. Include answers to the following questions:

• Who are you?
• What do you do? (work experience....)
• What do you stand for? (statement of beliefs, values....)
• Do you want to be rich and powerful, or is it enough to make a living that allows you to follow other interests?
• What are your ‘markets' and what benefits do you offer them?
• What problems are you interested in solving?
• What kind of internal work environment do you want for yourself and your (potential) employees?

2. Objectives

Prepare a SWOT analysis on your career potential. Make the following headings:

1. Strengths
2. Weaknesses
3. Opportunities
4. Threats

STRENGTHS: list the following:

Capabilities; competitive advantages; unique selling points; resources; assets; people/networks; experience; location and geography; value, quality; awareness; innovation; qualifications; communication (including IT); management techniques; research and development; philosophy and values...

WEAKNESSES:

Gaps in capabilities and experience; lack of competitive strength; lack of reputation, accreditation, presence and reach; lack of financial capital; lack of morale, distractions from commitment; inexperienced in leadership; unreliable, unpredictable, lack of continuity; other known vulnerabilities...

OPPORTUNITIES:

Market developments, new industry or lifestyle trends; gaps in chosen areas; weak competition; technology; innovation (unique selling propositions); internationalization (new markets); business development; information and research; personal contacts, networks, agencies; productivity; economies; taking advantage of seasonal changes, influences...

THREATS:

Political, legislative changes; market forces and competition; environmental factors, IT developments, new technologies and ideas; heavy competition; poor market demand; bad contracts and dishonest partners; inability to sustain internal capabilities; unexpected obstacles; loss of key colleagues, friends, partners; loss of financial backing; falling economies, local and international; seasonal threats....

FINALLY:

Answer the following questions relating to job-hunting:

- How will you research the kind of job you want (environmental assessment)?

- What kinds of opportunities exist for you in the international arena?

- How do you intend to 'market' yourself? (e.g. what qualifications, experience, contacts, etc. do you have to help you get the kind of job you want, in the country or region of your choice?);

- Can you be sufficiently honest and self-aware to assess your weaknesses?

- Have you acquired the strengths to meet those opportunities, or do you intend to acquire them?

- What kind of self-development might you consider (e.g. further study, attending conferences, etc)?

- What level of starting salary are you looking for (entry)?

- How do you plan to advance your career, e.g. within one company, or by changing employers, or by becoming self-employed (diversification)?

- How do you plan to integrate your professional and personal life (personal development)?

WORK ON YOUR SWOT ANALYSIS INDIVIDUALLY FOR 15 MINUTES

Then in small groups gather to discuss each others' self-assessment (keep to yourself any information you regard as confidential). Questions you might ask each other include:

• What do you see as the principal opportunities in a career in international business?

• What do you see as your principal strengths that will allow you to take advantage of these opportunities?

• Identify one or two skills that you feel you will need that you don't already possess? What could you do over the next one or two years to develop those skills.

• To what extent does your mission statement effectively express your goals?