What is a mission statement intended to do for a company?

A mission statement is designed to articulate the core purpose and values of a company, serving as a guiding beacon for its overall vision. It communicates the company's fundamental goals, what it stands for, and its target audience, thereby clarifying its reason for existence. This helps align strategies and decision-making processes with the company’s overarching vision, ensuring that all members of the organization understand their collective purpose and direction.

In contrast, detailing daily operations, explaining financial objectives, or outlining employee roles would categorize information that is related but distinct from the mission statement's primary role. Daily operations are more tactical, focusing on the how-to of running the organization, while financial objectives relate specifically to monetary goals and performance metrics. Outlining employee roles pertains to the structural aspects of the organization and does not capture the broader vision and purpose encapsulated in a mission statement.