Are you interested in discovering the secret behind the success of 3M?
Whenever you visit a hardware store, convenience store, and other retail outlets, the company’s products are proudly displayed. Originally known as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, 3M was founded more than a century ago.
The company has constantly evolved and changed over the years, which could be a factor in its success. Clues to the way 3M operates can be seen in the company’s mission and vision statements.
So, let’s undertake an in-depth 3M Mission and Vision Statement Analysis to find out more about this fascinating company.
Contents
The Company History
3M was founded in 1902 as a collaboration between five businessmen. The company was originally named the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company and focused entirely on mining corundum. After the mine failed, the company turned its attention to sandpaper products.
The company tried several different ventures before hitting on success. Today, there are more than 60,000 dedicated 3M products. These products are known for their high quality and excellent performance. No matter which industry you work in, you are sure to find 3M products to boost your productivity and make life easier.
Read more: Nvidia Mission and Vision Statement Analysis
You might know their stationery…
3M boasts corporate operations in seventy countries around the world. The company’s products are also sold in more than two hundred countries. Some of the company’s most iconic and popular brands include Post-Its, Scotch, and Command.
The Mission Statement
‘3M is committed to actively contributing to sustainable development through environmental protection, social responsibility, and economic progress.’ This is the clear and detailed mission statement of 3M. There are three key aspects of this mission statement that we can explore in more detail.
Environmental Protection
The company invests in research and development to find ways to make its processes more energy efficient. A good example of the effectiveness of this is the reduction of the company’s use of fossil fuels. 3M is dedicated to creating products that make it possible to utilize solar energy and other renewable resources.
Social Responsibility
The company has created a number of special procedures to protect its employees and the environment. 3M words hard to develop new healthcare solutions that help people all around the world. Employees are invited and actively encouraged to share their opinions on innovative ways to do this.
Economic Progress
3M tracks resources to help it use resources more efficiently and effectively. This helps to reduce waste while making the spread of resources fairer for everyone involved. The company has built laboratories and factories in low-income areas to help boost their economies.
The Vision Statement
The vision statement of 3M is; ‘3M technology advancing every company, 3M products enhancing every home, 3M innovation improving every life.’ Like the company’s mission statement, it can be seen that the vision statement is composed of three main driving forces. The company’s vision helps to define what they do, how they do it, and where they do it.
The company’s vision statement directly drives further development in many different industries. The company is firmly rooted in problem-solving, scientific exploration, and helping people work more sustainably and efficiently.
Going above and beyond…
In 2018, 3M launched a plan that drives the company’s economic, environmental, and social impact. The plan outlines a large number of goals and achievements that the company is committed to meeting. This includes investing in educational programs, achieving zero-landfill status, and providing more than five million people with special training.
To demonstrate its commitment to this goal, 3M regularly announces its achievements. This includes training more than 100,000 people to date and achieving a 30% landfill status.
The Core Values
The core values of 3M are innovation, collaboration, passion for change, perseverance, honesty, and integrity. All employees are expected to understand and embrace these core values in everything that they do. In addition to the mission and vision statement, these core values have helped to shape the company’s operations.
Since the early days of the company, 3M has strongly enforced these values. Particularly of note is the company’s dedication to collaboration and innovation. Because the internal company culture is built on these values, it allows the company to focus on them.
Transparency for all employee levels…
The company is dedicated to operating with honesty and transparency. This principle is carried out both with business partners and employees of all levels. The company takes elements and products that work and builds on them. This commitment helps to ensure that all products are trustworthy and reliable.
The 3M Logo
3M boasts a strong and impactful logo that is connected to its corporate identity. This logo has come to represent the quality and innovation of the company’s products and services. Over the years, the 3M logo has evolved from a basic design element to a significant company asset.
The original logo
The company’s first logo was created in 1906 and was used to represent 3M until 1938. It featured a dense black diamond with the 3M CO lettering in white. The diamond background was surrounded by a double circular frame, which contained the company’s long name in capital letters.
1926 to 1938
Two extra versions of the logo were designed to represent the diverse fields the company was operating in. One version was the inscription Three M with two thick dots on either side of it. The second logo was a slightly lighter and more modern version of the original logo.
1938 to 1942
Although the first logo was still being used at this time, the font was switched to serif. A second version was also created that looks very similar to the current 3M logo. It featured a bold and solid 3M motif with a short diagonal dash running through it.
1942 to 1960
Several slight adaptations were made to the 3M logo during this period. It can be seen that the company was still trying to find its voice and identity. Many of the changes were based on feedback from customers. This shows that the company has always taken the lead in inviting customers to provide feedback.
1960 to 1978
The company decided to switch to a more minimalistic design and created a new logo to embrace this. The now-famous 3M name was represented in a classic and clean serif typeface. This was updated slightly a year later based on feedback from partners, employees, and customers.
Modern 3M Logo Design Elements
In 1978, the current 3M logo was designed by the celebrated strategic branding company Siegel+Gale. This logo is very bold and powerful and is instantly recognizable by people all over the world. Let’s take a closer look at the main elements that the logo is composed of.
The logo shape
The shape of the logo is formed by the number 3 connected to the letter M. The overall style is designed to represent strength and cohesiveness. These elements represent two of the main features that the 3M company is best known for.
The logo color
The bold logo is represented in scarlet red, which becomes black when rendered on printed documents. The red was chosen to represent power, energy, and passion. The color was specially chosen to highlight the main principles of 3M.
The logo font
Helvetica Neue Condensed was chosen as the font for the contemporary logo. This font was selected for its modern yet stylish appearance. These are two of the main characteristics that 3M seeks to emulate in everything it does.
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Final Thoughts
The 3M story is a clear indication that success is not always guaranteed from the first.
Although the company launched several failed ventures, the founders were committed to creating high-quality products. This has helped 3M rise to become a prominent Fortune 500 company as well as a household name.
The company’s mission and vision statements reveal 3M’s commitment to quality. The company invests heavily in research and development and is constantly launching new products. The company’s distinctive bold red logo also helps it stand out from the crowd and has made 3M a household name.
All the very best in your career at 3M!
