In 1837, a bold new enterprise was born in Cincinnati: Procter & Gamble. William Procter quickly established himself as a candle maker. James Gamble apprenticed himself to a soap maker. By 1890, P&G was selling more than 30 different types of soap. To meet this increasing demand, the Company expanded its operations outside Cincinnati, with a plant in Kansas City, Kansas, followed by a plant in Ontario, Canada. As each new plant opened, P&G would embark on plans for another. The research labs were as busy as the plants. Innovative new products rolled out one after another.
The Company that began as a small Midwestern partnership had grown into one of America’s largest multinational corporations. The company emerged as an important new player in health care and in cosmetics and fragrances. Today, P&G offers more products than just soap. Their product line consists of personal and beauty (cosmetics, oral care, hair care), house and home (laundry care, dish soap, snacks and coffee), pet care and nutrition products.
P&G’s Purpose Statement reads:
“We will provide branded products and services of superior quality and value that improve the lives of the world’s consumers, now and for generations to come. As a result, consumers will reward us with leadership sales, profit and value creation, allowing our people, our shareholders and the communities in which we live and work to prosper.”
This statement is directed to the consumers of the world: from young children to adults, single to married couples. The purpose statement of Procter and Gamble is clear and powerfully communicates its intentions and motivates the team and organization to realize an attractive and inspiring common vision of the future. It defines the organizational purpose in terms of the organization’s values rather than bottom line measures. It seeks to create value for its customers, shareholders and communities. P&G takes care of the