Workshop 2 - Mission (What You Do)
Workshop 2: Mission (What You Do)
Expected Duration: 1-2 hours of full uninterrupted focus
Overview
The mission defines what the family office does today—its core activities, who it serves, and how it delivers value. It should focus on the present and be actionable, building directly on the purpose you defined in Workshop 1.
What You'll Achieve
By the end of this workshop, you will have:
- A clear, actionable mission statement
- Defined core activities and beneficiaries
- A practical guide for strategy and operations
Pre-Workshop Preparation
- Review your Purpose statement from Workshop 1
- Consider your current activities and stakeholders
- Please send any feedback to etienne@familyofx.com
Workshop Structure
Step 1: Ask These Questions
Reflect deeply on these operational questions:
- What is our primary focus in managing family wealth? (e.g., preservation, growth, impact investing)
- Who do we serve? (e.g., current family members, future generations)
- How do we achieve our objectives? (e.g., through diversified investments, philanthropy, or tailored strategies)
- What makes our approach unique or valuable?
Step 2: Key Elements to Consider
Structure your thinking around these components:
What: The core activities
- Managing investments
- Enabling philanthropy
- Supporting family goals
- Wealth preservation and growth
Who: The beneficiaries
- Current family members
- Future generations
- Community stakeholders
- Broader society
How: The principles or methods used
- Long-term planning
- Sustainable practices
- Personalised strategies
- Risk management
Step 3: Collaborative Activity
Materials Needed: Post-it notes, large board or wall space
- Individual Reflection (15 minutes)
- Write 2–3 concise answers to the questions above on Post-its
- Focus on specific, actionable activities
- Group Clustering (20 minutes)
- Place the notes on a board
- Group similar ideas together
- Label the clusters (e.g., "Preservation," "Growth," "Impact Investing")
- Discussion and Prioritisation (25 minutes)
- Discuss each cluster
- Identify your primary activities and focus areas
- Ensure alignment with your purpose
Step 4: Draft the Mission Statement
Use this proven formula:
"We what you do for who you serve by how you do it."
Example Mission Statements:
- "We preserve and grow family wealth to provide stability and opportunities for current and future generations."
- "We steward and grow family wealth to support future generations and create a positive impact through philanthropy and sustainable investment."
- "We deliver tailored investment strategies and philanthropic initiatives to create long-term impact for our family and the world."
- "We ensure the continuity of our family's values and legacy through disciplined wealth management and purpose-driven investments."
Step 5: Testing and Validation
Evaluate your mission statement:
- Is it clear and specific enough to guide decisions?
- Does it reflect what you actually do today?
- Does it align with your purpose from Workshop 1?
- Can stakeholders understand your value proposition?
- Is it actionable and measurable?
Expected Outcomes
This workshop creates clarity and practical direction. You'll leave with:
- A clear mission statement that guides operations
- Defined scope of activities and beneficiaries
- Alignment between purpose and daily actions
- Foundation for strategic planning
Implementation Tips
- Post your mission statement where it's visible to all team members
- Use it to evaluate new opportunities and initiatives
- Reference it in important decisions
- Review and refine annually as your organization evolves
Next Steps
Your mission statement will guide Workshop 3: Vision (Where You're Going), helping you articulate your aspirational future goals.
This workshop is part of the Family Office Strategic Planning Series. Each workshop builds upon the previous one to create a comprehensive framework for long-term success.
Workshop 1 - Purpose (Why You Exist)
Define your family office's ultimate reason for existence beyond profit. This foundational workshop explores your deeper purpose and lasting impact.
Workshop 3 - Vision (Where You're Going)
Create an inspiring, aspirational vision for your family office's future. Define what success looks like in 10, 20, and 50 years.