• Formulation of plans: A mission statement would facilitate the formulation of the company’s plans. A mission statement would serve as guideposts that would direct how the company’s plans should be formulated in order to achieve its objectives.
• Evaluation and screening: A mission statement would act as a benchmark by which the company’s plans are judged. The company would use the mission statement to assess whether its activities are in line with its ethical values, beliefs and general performance.
• Strategy implementation: The mission statement would affect the implementation of the planned strategies of Hard Leather Ltd. This is because the mission statement will determine how the company conducts its business.
• Unanimity of purpose: A mission statement would ensure unanimity of purpose within the company. The development of a mission statement will direct all employees towards the achievement of a single established purpose.
• Translation of objectives: A mission statement would facilitate the translation of objectives into work structure. This is because it is the mission statement that would determine the assignment of work responsibilities to individuals within the company.
• Allocation of resources: A mission statement would provide the basis and a standard for disbursing the company’s resources.

                                                                                                                                                                                      (Any 4 points)

The mission of Hard Leather Ltd is to offer customers the best quality shoes they can find anywhere. We provide all customers both at the high and low end markets with the highest level of satisfaction through the offering of high quality shoes at affordable prices.
OR
Hard Leather Ltd offers a line of contemporary shoes for all classes of customers who want to remain differentiated in their sphere of life. Our shoes are offered to the urban, metropolitan and distinguished people who want to remain a step ahead.
OR
Hard Leather Ltd provides high quality shoes at affordable prices to people in the middle and upper classes who appreciate well-crafted and differentiated dress shoes.

i) Provides Focus: A mission statements provides the organization with a focus for strategic decision. Successful companies use the mission statement to remind their employees about the direction of the firm.

ii) Basis for decision making: A clear mission statement outlines the borders which will enable the firm to delegate activities to employees because all the decisions will be made within the framework of the mission statement.

iii) Guidance for behavior: A mission statement helps to create a work environment where there is a sense of common purpose for all employees.

iv) Informs the public: Mission statements communicate the nature of the organization to outsiders. Mission statements communicate the goals of the organization and its importance to the outside world.

v) The mission statement also enables the communication of company culture throughout the whole organization.

vi) The mission statement stimulates debate as to how the mission can be realized.                                                             (Any 5)