Most of us have a set of values that guide the way we behave in daily life. Maybe we value honesty above all else, or maybe we always make a point of being helpful to strangers and friends alike. These values not only make up an important part of who we are and how we view ourselves, but how others view us too. Business values should be no different. They should be a set of guiding principles which lay the foundation of how a business operates, both internally during team interactions, and in the outside world with clients or customers. They should be a reflection of an organization’s moral compass and provide a framework for decision-making that extends beyond just making money to social responsibility. The problem, however, is that designing business values sometimes becomes a tick-box exercise. Businesses know they ought to have values, but they aren’t quite sure how to create a set that truly shows off their brand personality and how the world should see them. Values are more than just words to stencil on a wall – they’re a living part of your company’s identity, culture, and everyday working life. In this article, we’ll be walking through a step-by-step process of how to create business values that actually mean something, helping you build a business that reflects your values.
Key Takeaways
- Start by looking at why your company began.
- Talk to your team about what they think the company stands for.
- Get ideas from other companies you admire, but don’t copy them.
- Bring all your ideas together and pick the ones that really fit your brand.
- Make your values clear and easy to remember, getting help from experts if needed.
1. Beginning
Okay, so you want to build a business that actually means something, right? Not just another soulless corporation chasing profits. I get it. It starts with going way back to the very beginning. I mean, why did you even want to start this thing in the first place? What was the initial spark? Really digging into that can reveal a lot about what you truly value.
Think of it like this: your business’s origin story is a treasure map to your core values.
Here’s how I like to approach it:
- Remember the Problem: What problem were you trying to solve? Was there something missing in the market? Identifying that initial need can point to values like innovation, service, or quality.
- Recall the Passion: What were you passionate about? Did you want to change the world, even in a small way? That passion often translates into values like social responsibility, sustainability, or community impact. For example, if you’re launching a side hustle, what’s the driving force behind it?
- Consider the People: Who were you trying to help? Understanding your target audience and their needs can highlight values like empathy, accessibility, or empowerment.
It’s not just about making money; it’s about making a difference, even if it’s just a tiny one. And that difference starts with understanding why you started in the first place.
2. Team
Building a business that reflects my values isn’t a solo mission. It’s about the people I surround myself with. I’ve learned that the team is everything. Seriously. You can have the best idea in the world, but without the right people, it’s going nowhere.
Finding individuals who not only possess the necessary skills but also share my core values is paramount. It’s not just about filling positions; it’s about creating a cohesive unit where everyone is working towards a common goal, driven by the same principles. It’s taken me a while to figure this out, and I’m still learning, but here’s what I’ve found works:
- Clearly define my values: I need to know what I stand for before I can find others who do too. This helps me articulate what I’m looking for in potential team members. This is important for organizational longevity.
- Communicate openly during the hiring process: I make sure to talk about my values and the company’s mission during interviews. This helps me gauge whether candidates are a good fit.
- Look beyond skills: While skills are important, I also look for qualities like integrity, empathy, and a willingness to learn. These are the things that really matter in the long run.
- Create a culture of trust and respect: I want my team to feel valued and supported. This means creating an environment where they can be themselves and share their ideas freely.
It’s not always easy, and I’ve made mistakes along the way. But I’m committed to building a team that reflects my values and helps me create a business that I’m proud of.
3. Inspiration
Okay, so you’ve thought about where you started and chatted with your team. Now, where do you look for that spark? It’s time to get inspired! I think it’s important to look around and see what resonates with you. Don’t copy, but definitely observe.
Look Around
I always find it helpful to see what other companies are doing. It’s not about stealing ideas, but more about understanding what works and what doesn’t. Think about brands you admire. What is it about them that grabs your attention? Is it their commitment to sustainability, their customer service, or their innovative products?
- Maybe there’s a small, local business that has amazing community engagement.
- Or perhaps a large corporation that’s doing great things for its employees.
- Even a non-profit can offer inspiration with its mission-driven approach.
External Input
Don’t just look internally. Get some outside perspective. What do your customers think? What about your suppliers? Even your competitors can offer some insight. I think it’s important to get a well-rounded view of how your company is perceived. You can even use these resources designed to help build confidence in your team.
Synthesize
Once you’ve gathered all this inspiration, it’s time to synthesize it. What are the common threads? What values keep popping up? Which ones feel authentic to you and your business? This is where you start to narrow down your focus and create a list of values that truly represent your brand.
4. Ideas
Okay, so you’ve got a good handle on your values, your team is (hopefully) on board, and you’re feeling inspired. Now comes the fun part: generating ideas! This is where you start to translate those abstract values into something concrete. It’s about brainstorming, experimenting, and seeing what sticks. Don’t be afraid to get a little messy here; the best ideas often come from unexpected places.
Brainstorming Bonanza
I like to start with a good old-fashioned brainstorming session. The goal is to generate as many ideas as possible, without judgment. Seriously, no idea is too crazy at this stage. I usually grab a whiteboard or a big piece of paper and just start writing down everything that comes to mind. Here are some prompts I find helpful:
- How can we embody our values in our products or services?
- What problems can we solve for our customers that align with our values?
- How can we create a company culture that reflects our values?
Competitor Analysis
I always take a look at what my competitors are doing. I don’t mean copying them, but rather understanding their strengths and weaknesses. What are they doing well that aligns with your values? Where are they falling short? This can help you identify opportunities to differentiate yourself and create something truly unique. For example, analyzing competitors can help you position your brand.
Customer Feedback
I think it’s important to listen to your customers. What are they saying about your brand? What do they need or want? Their feedback can be a goldmine of ideas for new products, services, or ways to improve your customer experience. You can start with data you already have including customer reviews, Google Analytics, or CRM data. You might also consider sending out an anonymous survey. You can use online communities to get feedback.
5. Values
This is where things get personal, and honestly, a little scary. It’s about figuring out what really matters to me, not just what sounds good on a company website. It’s about digging deep and figuring out what I stand for, and then making sure my business reflects that. It’s not always easy, but it’s so important.
My values are the bedrock of my business. If I don’t know what they are, how can I expect my team or my customers to understand what I’m all about?
Here’s how I’m approaching it:
- Brainstorming Session: I’m setting aside some time to just sit down and think about what’s important to me. What principles guide my decisions in life? What do I admire in other people and businesses? I’m writing everything down, no matter how silly it sounds.
- Narrowing It Down: Once I have a big list, I’m going to start narrowing it down to the core values that are most important to me. These are the values that I’m not willing to compromise on, no matter what. I want to define value as customer revenue.
- Defining What They Mean: It’s not enough to just say I value “integrity” or “innovation.” I need to define what those values mean to me in a business context. How will they guide my decisions? How will they shape my interactions with my team and my customers?
- Living Them Every Day: This is the hardest part. It’s not enough to just write down my values; I need to live them every day. That means making tough decisions, even when it’s not the most profitable thing to do. It means holding myself and my team accountable. It means being authentic and transparent in everything I do.
It’s a journey, not a destination. I know I’ll make mistakes along the way, but I’m committed to building a business that reflects my values, even if it’s hard.
6. Actions
This is where the rubber meets the road. All the thinking, planning, and soul-searching we’ve done so far needs to translate into tangible steps. It’s not enough to just know your values; you have to live them, especially in your business. This is how you build a brand that feels authentic and attracts the right people.
It’s about making choices every day that reflect what you believe in.
Here’s how I’m trying to make it happen:
- Review everything: I’m going through all my business processes, from marketing to customer service, and asking myself if they align with my values. If not, I’m changing them. For example, I’m trying to be more transparent about my pricing, even if it means losing some customers. I want to attract customers who value honesty and brand messaging over those just looking for the cheapest option.
- Communicate clearly: I’m making a conscious effort to communicate my values to my team and my customers. This means being open about my beliefs and explaining why I make the decisions I do. It’s not always easy, but it’s important to me that everyone knows where I stand.
- Lead by example: I can’t expect my team to live by my values if I don’t. That means I need to be mindful of my own actions and make sure I’m walking the walk. It’s a constant process of self-reflection and improvement.
It’s not a one-time thing. It’s an ongoing commitment to building a business that I can be proud of. It’s about creating something that not only makes money but also makes a positive impact on the world. And that, to me, is worth all the effort.