What is at stake?
Why is it important?
➡ Performance objective: In defining a mission, a startup is setting medium-term objectives. Monitoring the proper implementation of this mission means measuring the effectiveness (performance) of past actions in relation to the objectives.
What has already been achieved? What must still be done to reach the set objectives? Where do we need to improve? Are the means we’ve implemented effective?
➡ Objective of advice/decision support for continuous improvement: Monitoring the implementation of the mission helps to advance the startup and envision its future directions.
Are we still on the right track? Should we adjust current strategy in pursuit of the mission? Are the actions we’ve implemented appropriate? Are there
other options to achieve our goals?
➡ Control objective: Ensuring the successful implementation of the mission and collecting tangible evidence to demonstrate the positive achievements, fostering transparent and supported communication internally and externally to all stakeholders.
Three actions to take right now
1️⃣ Implement mission monitoring processes
- Set up a mission dashboard that gathers the key indicators for mission monitoring and serves as a reference within the company.
- Apply the OKRs method by associating Key Results with each of the mission’s objectives. These KPIs can be quantitative (satisfaction measurement, environmental impact measurement - carbon footprint, % of participants...) or qualitative (interviews, labeling...).
This action helps to identify areas for improvement and enables communication of early successes.
2️⃣ Establish a mission committee
Monitoring is a central element of the "Société à Mission" model, which in this case is ensured by a mission committee or a referent for structures with fewer than 50 employees.
This committee provides a different perspective from that of the board:
- On the effectiveness of actions taken in relation to the stated commitments
- On strategic choices made and possible new directions
Thus, just as the startup needs a board of advisors to guide it through iterations in search of Product Market Fit and Business Model, the same applies to the company's mission; the startup needs a "board" (the mission committee) to guide it in its mission monitoring.
3️⃣ Take measures necessary to improve results
This may involve changes in strategy or the implementation of new processes to achieve the set objectives.
📚 Further Reading
📖 How to animate a mission committee? (Communauté des Entreprises à Mission)
📖 Evaluation of "Société à Mission", a guarantee of credibility (Communauté des Entreprises à Mission)
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