Difference between a mission statement and a vision statement in business in business studies

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A mission statement and a vision statement are both important components of a business, but they serve different purposes and have different focuses.

1. Mission Statement:
- The mission statement is a concise statement that outlines the purpose of an organization or business and identifies its primary goals and objectives.
- It describes what the organization does, who it serves, and how it creates value for its stakeholders (customers, employees, investors, etc.).
- The mission statement is more focused on the present and answers the question: "What do we do?"
- It often includes information about the products or services offered, target market, and unique selling proposition.

Example: Google's mission statement is "To organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful."

2. Vision Statement:
- The vision statement, on the other hand, describes the desired future state or long-term goals of an organization.
- It reflects the aspirations and idealistic vision of what the organization aims to achieve in the future.
- The vision statement is more forward-looking and answers the question: "Where do we want to be?"
- It typically communicates a broad and inspiring image of success, growth, and the impact the organization wants to make in the world.

Example: Google's vision statement is "To provide access to the world's information in one click."

In essence, a mission statement outlines the current purpose and goals of a business, while a vision statement outlines the desired future state and overarching goals of the business. Both statements are important for guiding business strategies, decision-making, and aligning employees' efforts towards a shared purpose.