Health & Fitness
The Difference Between Bruce Springsteen and Milli Vanilli? It's All in the Mission
Learn why Milli Vanilli failed while Bruce Springsteen suceeded. What's your mission statement and how does it drive your life? Read on to learn why it's so important to have one.
I’m a geek at heart. A couple of months ago, my son, Brady (age 8) and I were reading together in his bed and he said to me, “Mom, what are you reading?” I told him I was reading a book for work and he said to me, “you should really read something for fun, you deserve it.” How funny is that?
Anyways, I was reading a book called The Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk at the time. It’s written by a guy that turned his family’s New Jersey package store into a multi-million dollar online and brick and morter business through extreme customer engagement and social media. I love the book and love the story.
Here is a quote I highlighted from the book:
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“[Any] leaders or managers determined to excel at customer service have to make sure their employees share the same DNA that they do, and believe in the company’s mission down to their bones. The difference between the performance of a company populated by people who really care and one populated by people who care because they’re paid to is the difference between Bruce Springsteen and Milli Vanilli.”
I just love that quote. Milli Vanilli (in case you don't remember) was a singing duo in the 1980s that fell from glory when it was discovered that they were lip singers. They even had their Grammy revoked. They weren’t authentic and they were established to generate profits, not to live their dream or their mission. Bruce Springsteen has always been authentic.
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At Key Hyundai, our mission statement is to be solution providers and not product pushers. We believe everyone deserves to drive a nicer, newer car. And, we want to help our customers keep their cars fun and safe to drive for as long as they want to drive them.
My personal mission statement is to be involved only in activities that make me, my family and my community physically, mentally and spiritually healthy, fit and strong.
Our mission statement is in my DNA, for sure. I refer back to it in every decision I make. Believe me, there are times when we fall down. But, having a mission statement allows you to regroup, refocus, learn and grow.
What is the mission statement of your company or your family? As always, I would love to hear about it.
