Once upon a time, I was in charge of training work resource solution professionals (the nonpc term would be staffing company salespeople) for a 6-state radius. I taught them important things like how to get past the receptionist, how to figure out who the decision-maker in that company is in the first place, how to present yourself as the solution to a problem, and, most importantly, how not to get thrown out of an office building. It was a great deal of fun. People respond well to people that want to help them, as I did. Also, when a salesperson doesn’t have to do any selling for a few days and they get free lunches, they’re typically super happy. The training material was top notch, too. I still use it to navigate daily life. For instance, if you’re going to sit down with someone who has the power to either give or deny their business to you, it’s best if you’re able to make a great first impression. Unless you are familiar with their company culture, show up looking like a blank slate. Be bland. Dress for a funeral. Don’t wear anything avant garde, right down to the nail polish color and the portfolio you carry. Make sure the backs of your shoes look polished and that your hem is on point. Mimic your contact’s body language. Subliminally, they’ll see you as being like them. If you’re like them, they will like you. People only buy from people they like. And, definitely, know your stuff. If they’re a publicly traded company, know their stock value. Find out how many locations they have, total number of employees, etc. Who are their competitors? And, lastly, always always always know their mission statement so you can work key points into casual conversation. Trust me on this. Whether you’re interviewing for a new position, or you need to persuade anyone concerning anything, know what makes them tick. Use it against them. All is fair in love and business meetings.
Target’s statement: “To make Target the preferred shopping destination for our guests by delivering outstanding value, continuous innovation and exceptional guest experience by consistently fulfilling our philosophy of Expect More, Pay Less, Brand Promise.” Anthropologie’s version: “To surprise & delight you with unexpected, distinctive finds for your closet and home.” Goodwill’s 2 cents: “To enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, eliminating barriers to opportunity, and helping people in need reach their full potential through learning and the power of work.” See the theme? This is who we are. This is what we want. This is our purpose. Feel our intent. See our vision. Understand why you should allocate your precious salary toward us when you have so many other options, Joe & Jane Merica. A mission statement is a way for a corporation to showcase a personality, show you the very essence of why they are a corporation in the first place, to woo you, if you will. Depending on the company culture, the employees may not know what their company’s mission statement says. Alternatively, I worked for one company who insisted we stand at a conference table each morning, chant the lengthy mission statement, and spell out the name of the business with our bodies, a la The Village People performing YMCA. While we always seemed to whack each other in the face switching from the U to the T, I quite liked the experience. It’s difficult to have a negative mood or a melancholy day after watching old Bob from the returns department making alphabet soup with his torso and fist pumping with glee. It reeked of “hey, we’re silly but we’re all in this together.”
Recently, I wondered. What is my life’s mission statement? What if, as individuals, we were prompted to have our own website where we listed our values, what we were trying to do in this cruel world, or even what makes us tick? Could I string together a group of cognizant sentences that told the universe how I was attempting to impact others? Am I attempting to impact others? I’ve been in gloom and doom mode lately, admittedly. The holidays are upon us, and it’s not panning out as I’d hoped. When blended families with in-laws of blended families pin all their hopes and dreams on a single day of activities, it gets chaotic. Who’s eating where and at what time and why? Can’t you come a little earlier? Can’t you stay a little later? Why? Why not? It gets uncomfortable, huh? And, there’s the whole thought process where I tick off my mental list of all the loved ones I won’t get to see for this holiday or any other. It’s going to be a bit sad minus Chynna, minus my dad, minus my mom who isn’t well enough to travel. Maybe that’s why I’m waxing poetic about life and my worth and my mantras. I just want to do a good job being human. If you’re feeling similarly, I encourage you to join me in creating your own mission statement. Because, you can’t be the thing you haven’t defined yet. Besides, here at The Dina Moon Company, our mission is to educate the world on the things deserving of salvage: good stories, great recipes, and the human spirit. After all, there are people, everywhere, who would love to have one of your bad days.
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