Every company should have a Mission and or a Vision Statement. But they are very difficult to write - they should short, clear, vivid, inspiring and concise without using jargon, complicated words or concepts. A Mission Statement is generally included in documents such as Business Plans and Staff Handbooks and can be described as a cross between a company or corporate slogan and an executive summary. A highly successful Mission Statement is both memorable and engaging. No wonder a Mission Statement is hard to write and there is so much confusion between a Mission Statement and a Vision Statement. Vision Statements and Mission Statements are the inspiring words chosen by successful leaders to clearly and concisely convey the direction of the organization. By a clear mission statement and vision statement, entrepreneurs can powerfully communicate their intentions and motivate their team or organization to realize an attractive and inspiring common vision of the future.
A Mission Statement defines the organization's purpose and primary objectives. Its prime function is internal – to define the key measures of the organization’s success – and its prime audience is the leadership team and stockholders.
Vision statement is a short, succinct, and inspiring statement of what the organization intends to become and to achieve at some point in the future. Vision refers to the category of intentions that are broad, all-inclusive and forward-thinking. It describes aspirations for the future, without specifying the means that will be used to achieve those desired ends.
Warren Bennis, a noted writer on leadership, says: "To choose a direction, an executive must have developed a mental image of the possible and desirable future state of the organization. This image, which we call a vision, may be as vague as a dream or as precise as a goal or a mission statement."