why do companies have mission statements?

Answer 1

A mission statement should embody the vision and values of an organisation and ensure that everyone knows what they're aiming for. It is important that the staff of an organisation identify with and 'own' the mission. If they do not, the mission is unlikely to be achieved, particularly if you are offering services (which depend on the commitment of staff). The other stakeholders (customers, funding bodies etc.) should also be able to fit the mission to their idea of what the organisation is about. If there is too much of a mismatch (e.g. if you were running a small college library and had as your mission 'to be the best library in the world'), people are very sceptical about the stated mission.

Answer 2

A mission statement needs to be written down because - in fact, all companies have missions. It's more than 'making a lot of money'... the company was founded for a purpose, with a customer base in mind and hopefully, some sense of civic and personal duty.

A 'good' mission statement will capture the 'vision' of the company, not just for the next financial report. It identifies what is important to the company, who the stakeholders are, why the company exists and some sense guidance for employees.

The above skepticism comes from that many mission statements are just 'junk'. A good mission statement can truly help guide employees and management.

Answer 3

Mission statements help keep everyone focused. GOOD mission statements inspire employees as well as enlighten and education customers.

Here is a great website for how to write good missions statements:
http://www.onepagebusinessplan.com/mission_statements.html

Here are some good mission statements, from this same website:

Federal Express: The World on Time
Nature Conservancy: Save the Last Great Places
or... "To bring light, air and the beauty of nature into homes through creative windows"

Answer 4

Words!Words!Words!
Just like"Action plan" and "Aims and Objectives"

To impress the gallery.
To make themselves look good and feel good.
To convince potential customers that they know what they are doing and are better than competitors.
To give the impression to their employees that they are not alone and are working as a common body.
To frighten the competition by sounding so much superior.
To obey the dictats that require everybody to have a Mission Statement or else...

I blame Star Trek myself! They started it.(Remember?To boldly go.....)

Answer 5

it gives focus and reminds decision makers the reason for the existence of the company and canalizes actions to be taken.

It also helps employees to have a glimps in the environment they are working in and the original intention of the founder(s)

It adds also to the sense of belonging and make workers aware that they are working towards a specified goal

Answer 6

So that their stakeholders will be kept happy, employees and customers (potential too) know what the companies aims and goals are

Answer 7

It helps in brainwashing you into believing that you are working for a noble company when all they're really doing is utilizing you as yet another slave. Plain and simple. be well.

Answer 8

So that everyone and their dog know what the organisation is working towards. It is their long term goal and aspiration that they will never fully achieve.

Answer 9

Because some bigwig with nothing better to do made it up so they could feel important

Answer 10

It justifies their existence and gives someone a "non job" in the department.