Your Values Form the Character of Your Business
Your values are an intrinsic part of your business’s mission, vision, goals, and values. In the Free Dictionary, character is defined as 'the combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person, group or thing from another'. It is also said that a person acts ‘in character’ when they do things that you would expect from them.
Are you able to answer the following questions?
How do clients distinguish my business from the competition?
Do my staff and I act ‘in character’; in other words can our clients trust our word and do we not contradict ourselves?
I am of the opinion that the character of a business is formed by the values adhered to by the business. Business Dictionary defines values as 'important and lasting beliefs or ideals shared by the members of a culture (in this case the people in a business) about what is good or bad and desirable or undesirable. Values have a major influence on a person's behaviour and attitude and serve as broad guidelines in all situations.
In the context of business the mutually agreed upon values guide the behaviour of the staff, so that clients are able to judge the character of the business.
Let us look at a few examples of the values that may apply to a business.
Fairness
Innovation
Community involvement
Trustworthiness
Reliability
Loyalty
Committed
Receptive
Consistent
Honest
Effective
Creative
Jovial
Adventurous
Motivated
Positive
Optimistic
Inspiring
Passionate
Deferential
Educated/competent
Respected
Which of the above values find favour with you? Now compile your own list and select three to five values that will distinguish your business from the competition. Then share this information with your staff and agree on how this will be given shape within your business. Values are not worth the paper they are written on, unless they get ‘feet and legs’ and are lived out by everyone in the business, from the owners to the most junior staff members.
Mahatma Gandhi once said the following:“Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny.”
The content in this article was provided by Jannie Rossouw, Head: Sanlam Business Market. Sanlam is a diversified financial services group, headquartered in South Africa, operating across a number of selected global markets.
For more information, contact:
Website: https://www.sanlam.co.za/Pages/default.aspx
Tel: 0860 726 526
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