A mission statement describes the current purpose and objectives of an organization, while a vision statement describes where the organization aims to be in the future. A mission statement explains what an organization does now, who it serves, and what makes it unique. A vision statement provides a shared understanding of the organization's long-term goals and purpose. Objectives are more specific targets that support achieving the mission, while goals are targets to be achieved by a specific time. Core competencies are unique skills and capabilities that provide an organization with a competitive advantage.