CEO Insights: Is your organisation operating with a Sense-of-Mission?
Seven Word Summary: Influence the future through integrated, creative communications.
“an organisation must define its mission in such a way that it has a broader social context rather than being merely product or service oriented.” (MBA Skool)
Upon travelling through Europe, I was able to experience INFLUENTIAL BRANDS in the Cities in which they originated — or first had influence!
Unsurprisingly, influential brands are those with a clear sense-of-mission.
Let me explain…
Dublin 🇮🇪
Guinness Storehouse — a brand founded in 1759, and one of the best brand experiences of my life.
I was inspired by the story of Arthur Guinness — a leader with a SENSE OF MISSION, as the sign says…
Copenhagen 🇩🇰
LEGO — founded over 90 years ago from the small workshop of a carpenter by the name of Ole Kirk Christiansen
His mission was and is “to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow”
He went on to say;
“We believe in the power of Learning-through-Play to shape children’s future. Through play, children learn skills — such as problem-solving, communication, creativity, collaboration, and resilience — that will help them reach their full potential.”
Malmo 🇸🇪
IKEA — founded in 1951 by Ingvar Kamprad after he had originally started selling matches for pennies with a desire to help his poverty-stricken family!
His vision was and is “to create a better everyday life for the many people”
Who are the “many people”?
“They’re anyone, like Ingvar and other frugal, practical people, who value products with low prices and high quality”
So why am I reflecting on this, and highlighting the importance of mission?
It matters to your clients.
It matters to your team.
It matters to you.
Influence
The best definition for leadership is influence.
No matter your market share, market cap, or market position — your organisation should aspire to lead, and lead by influence.
We’ve discovered that most organisations are influencing someone or something, but not always for the right reasons. When influence is for good, everyone wins.
Influence For Good can look like building an organisation with a future focus, ensuring a sustainable operating model for longevity.
Influence For Good can look like Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or Environmental Social Governance (ESG) initiatives.
Influence For Good can look like mapping out pathways to progress and strategising to get there.
The future matters, hence your organisation should influence it — for good.
All that to say…
There is one thing the future of every organisation depends on.
Delivering on your vision and strategy is impossible without this single imperative: communication.
Every organisation communicates — not all do it effectively.
Former US President, Gerald R. Ford once said:
“Nothing in life is more important than the ability to communicate effectively.”
Be it clients, teams, investors, government, the media, or other — your ability to engage and influence stakeholders depends on effective communication.
And today’s economy calls for communication that creates influence.
Welcome to communication that creates influence.
As we look to the future of Seven Patterns, we do so with a refined focus — to better serve your organisation.
We are building on core values of integrity, authenticity, reliability, authority, and creativity, and an enduring commitment to creating influence for good.
We are on mission — helping growth-minded organisations to engage and influence stakeholders through integrated communications.
In doing so, we will continue to see people thrive, for the betterment of organisations, industries, and communities.
We believe this to be influence for good.
About Nathan Keehan
Nathan Keehan is the Founder and Managing Director of Seven Patterns.
His experience spans startups through to listed companies, government at all levels, and not-for-profit organisations — locally and globally.
Nathan holds a Bachelor of Business, specialising in Management and Marketing, and an MBA from UWA.
Ready to continue the conversation?
Let’s talk — hello@sevenpatterns.com