It may not be enough in todays global business world to just be in business. It may not be enough to provide similar products and/or services at similar prices and expect great things to come. It may just not be worth your time, energy, and money. Why be so closely related to your competition? What good will it do you? If you think you can be successful by just implementing similar products and services at a lower price, then what really separates you from your competition? Price? That is not the best defining value proposition out there. In fact, too many companies rely on price.

In both good and bad economic times, one thing should be consistent- your company's mission statement. The power of the mission statement is to guide you as you grow and strengthen your organization. It is there to ground you when you get over your head and it is there to put you back on track, to help you regain focus. Too many service industry companies don't rely enough on their mission statements. Many have one, but they can't repeat it like they can recite the pledge of allegiance. The mission statement is one part of finding success.

If you cannot honestly and passionately answer the question above, it may be time to rethink your business strategy. Strong arguments are those that take a stance and stick with it, consistently proving their point in as many different ways as they can. This in turn, can create a sense of continuity and a sense that the company, your company, is out to prove that argument, that cause, whatever it may be.

Companies need to rethink their mission statement, focusing on what they are trying to achieve through the organization. The real secret is then to combine that sense of mission with a cause that directly relates so that people interested in your product or service can have an emotional tie to you and your company. Creating an emotional feeling with clients and customers will then, if they agree, or even if they don't agree, start a frenzy of dialogue to tell anyone and everyone about this company and what it intends to do.

A company should be more than just about being in business to make money. Yes, everyone needs to make money, but the point of a company is to solve problems and get people excited about how they solve those problems. And when that company reaches a point where they are in good financial shape, they can really start to make a difference by contributing and putting on events that further promote their cause, above the products and services that they sell. Why? Because they have a mission so powerful and is tied to a greater thing than just their business, they are working to help solve a bigger problem.

Here is a great example of a company that is setting out to blaze a new trail within the auto world. However, on top of that, they are part of a movement to end dependence on foreign oil and to help preserve, protect, and help the environment as much as possible. Here is their mission statement, from their website.
Tesla Motors designs and sells high-performance, highly efficient electric sports cars - with no compromises. Tesla Motors cars combine style, acceleration, and handling with advanced technologies that make them among the quickest and the most energy-efficient cars on the road.

The company proudly promotes that their products are helping the environment. They also go one step further promoting not only their electric vehicles, but also other forms of energy that can reduce the carbon footprint and make a difference in our world.

This company truly cares for the environment and truly cares about high performance sports cars. You can have both, a healthy natural environment and a high performance, heart-pumping sports car that can do 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds without using a single drop of oil.

Check out these great pictures of the 2008 Tesla Roadster, in production now!