Sample Mission and Guiding Principles: Google

Mission:

To organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.

Philosophy:

Never settle for the best.

“The perfect search engine,” says Google co-founder Larry Page, “would understand exactly what you mean and give back exactly what you want.” Given the state of search technology today, that’s a far-reaching vision requiring research, development and innovation to realize. Google is committed to blazing that trail. Though acknowledged as the world’s leading search technology company, Google’s goal is to provide a much higher level of service to all those who seek information, whether they’re at a desk in Boston, driving through Bonn, or strolling in Bangkok. To that end, Google has persistently pursued innovation and pushed the limits of existing technology to provide a fast, accurate and easy-to-use search service that can be accessed from anywhere.

Editor’s Comment: As you can see, Google’s guiding principles are clear, focused, and written in a casual manner. Google’s people know who they are, what they do best and whom they serve. This statement provides meaningful guidance to Google’s owners, employees, vendors and customers. In addition to the above, Google’s founders provide a list of “The Ten Things We Know” that drills further into the belief system and principles of Google. There was not enough room here to print them, but you can find that at www.google.com/intl/en/corporate/ tenthings.html. In sum, Google says what it is about in its own unique way. Feel free to do the same. Just speak from the heart about what you do and how you do it.