When it comes to corporate mission and vision statements Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream stands out as truly remarkable. With product names like Cherry Garcia® and Phish Food® it comes as no surprise, that this company would think outside the box when it comes to its mission.
The Vermont based company holds itself to high standards with a 3-part mission statement built on a foundation of linked prosperity. And with an official certification as a B-Corporation, it’s safe to say that Ben and Jerry’s delivers on their promises.
Ben and Jerry’s, and other B-Corporations around the world, aspire to elevated social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability. Certified B- Corporations are businesses that meet a very high standard of balancing profit with purpose.
In the following sections, we will look at the 3 individual parts of the Ben and Jerry’s mission as they apply to the traditional labels of mission, vision, and core values. Although the company does not use these terms specifically, it is clear that they have put a lot of time and thought into all 3.
Ben and Jerry’s Product Mission Statement Analysis
The Ben and Jerry’s mission statement is “To make, distribute and sell the finest quality ice cream and euphoric concoctions with a continued commitment to incorporating wholesome, natural ingredients and promoting business practices that respect the Earth and the Environment.” (source)
This mission statement is a reflection of the company’s commitment to excellence. The statement focuses on 3 primary intentions:
- To make and deliver the finest quality ice cream to it’s customers
- To use only natural ingredients to make their “euphoric concoctions”
- To produce and distribute in a way that is environmentally friendly
From it’s humble beginnings in 1978, Ben and Jerry’s has made a name for itself as a company that produces a high quality product. They pride themselves on customer satisfaction and actively voice their opposition to genetically modified and artificial ingredients.
The company also strongly believes in doing their part to support the environment. From the way the animals are treated on the farms where they source their dairy to their product packaging, protecting the Earth is a clear objective.
Ben and Jerry’s Economic Vision Statement Analysis
The Ben and Jerry’s Economic Mission is “To operate the Company on a sustainable financial basis of profitable growth, increasing value for our stakeholders and expanding opportunities for development and career growth for our employees.” (source)
This vision statement provides a look into the corporate culture at Ben and Jerry’s. In addition to being dedicated to quality, natural ingredients and environmental responsibility, the company takes its financial well-being seriously.
The vision statement here focuses on sustainable and profitable growth for two primary beneficiaries:
- The stakeholders
- The employees
Just like any successful company, Ben and Jerry’s recognizes that profit is essential for sustainable growth. But equally important is to provide continued opportunity for it’s current and future employees, as well as financial security for it’s stakeholders.
Ben and Jerry’s Social Mission Analysis Core Values
The Ben and Jerry’s Social Mission is: “To operate the Company in a way that actively recognizes the central role that business plays in society by initiating innovative ways to improve the quality of life locally, nationally and internationally.” (source)
The values driving Ben and Jerry’s can be seen throughout the company’s 3-part mission. But the social mission as defined above sums up their belief in using business to provide a positive impact on society around the globe.
The core value of the company is one of linked prosperity, where everyone involved in the business benefits. From the dairy farmers, to the vanilla and coffee bean growers, to the employees, to the customers, to the local and global communities alike.
Ben and Jerry’s sets the bar extremely high for other companies to follow in their footsteps. Many companies aim to provide quality for their customers, opportunity for their employees, and contribution to its community. But even fewer companies operate on such a high standard of global and environmental impact while securing a sustainable future for it’s employees and stakeholders.
Image Credits: Warley Felipe C.S. / CC BY
