Change is inevitable and at the same time never comfortable, and this is true for business too. Whether change means adapting to the “new normal” as we emerge from the pandemic, adapting to a growing business with new people, processes and ways of thinking, or adapting to the ever-changing needs of our customers; change is challenging. So what happens when you are faced with all this change at one time (like many businesses were over the past year)? You lean in hard on the intangible glue that holds an organization together – its core values.
The importance of core values
For nearly twenty years I have walked into our office and past the front lobby sign prominently displaying Precision’s core values: accountability, balance, diligence, fiscal responsibility, honesty, humility, kindness, partnership, quality and respect. It serves as a reminder for every employee that our core values are at the heart of what we do everyday.
Values define who we are, who we consistently strive to be, and how we want to be known. Living out our core values at work ultimately defines our culture and embeds our beliefs into how we work. Beliefs turn in to reality, best put by Mahatma Gandhi:
“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.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Why core values are pillars during times of change
More than products or services, values are the foundation of a business. They are the emotional intelligence that defines a company and the intangible glue that holds it together. During times of change, core values remain static and serve as pillars to help guide the path forward.
1. Core values bonded our employees together during the pandemic.
Being in the office or working remotely, our culture flourished because we relied on the core values of trust and accountability already established Even as we re-enter the physical workplace, our prioritization of balance and respect for employees has kept spirits high. When employees know they are valued and respected, they return value and respect back.
2. Core values secured us as key strategic business partners with our clients even through their own change.
The professional cleaning industry is a key area of our business, so when the pandemic resulted in the closure of many professional locations and disrupted global supply chains, we had to quickly adapt to aide our B2B supplier, wholesaler, and distributor partners. Staying true to our core values, our clients are more than customers, they are long-term partners.
Our client partners called on us because they trusted us to react quickly and responsibly to their needs. We worked hand in hand to re-assess the landscape, understand the changing market, and identify business opportunities. During times of change, our values drove strategic B2B relationships, translating into business value, growing stronger customer relationships and enhancing loyalty.
3. Core values aligned us as a company when we doubled our staff and prepared for rapid growth.
Company growth is one of the biggest challenges when holding true to core values. Growth means new employees, new ideas, busying agendas and a focus on return on investment. A big question new employees often ask is “what makes us unique?” and one of the key answers in combination with product and service standouts is our core values.
We are a provider of B2B professional services and while our services are unique, what’s proven time and time again is that our clients partner with Precision because they trust us and trust the value we provide. The best way to keep core values intact is to communicate, train, and prioritize them alongside the vision, mission and product & services of the company.
“It’s not hard to make decisions, once you know what your values are.”
Roy E Disney
Ultimately, the purpose of core values is to encapsulate what makes you truly great, integrate it into the products and services you deliver, and empower the organization to embody the spirit of their core values in everything they do. Despite the changes so many organizations are facing, investing in core values provide employees an emotional anchor in challenging times. It is an investment that pays off every time.
Precision is a leader in B2B market insights and channel sales analytics. We take great pride in being true partners with our clients, leveraging our rich B2B experience, unique data sources, and proprietary statistical models to help our clients solve complex business problems.
Want to learn more about how partnering with Precision can transform your business? Connect with us at info@precisioncorp.net or visit us at www.precisioncorp.net.
Leave a Reply