Comments on: Lets get to the core of the matter!

By: SaraBeth Custin

SaraBeth Custin — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:41:01 +0000

I completely agree with this and feel about as passionate as you do about it. I feel that sometimes companies put up their core values and their mission statements just to take up space on their websites.
Now, on a reverse note, there are companies who place their core values on their websites and live by them every single day. If a company says that customer service is their #1 goal and its plastered all over the company paraphernalia, then I better notice it every time I come in to contact with that company.

Thanks for your blog Scott, it helps to keep me entertained and knowledgeable.

Best Regards!

By: Sabine

Sabine — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 01:09:27 +0000

I would think that posting core values on the Net is not a bad thing - however - too often it seems that these core values simply were determined by someone in Administration, deciding that these values are needed in order to complete a business plan, or something like it.

If you do not have your employees involved in creating these values, why would they embrace them? This is one of those items - just like the business plan - that needs to be revisited over time.

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:01:27 +0000

Core Values are standards that are “carved in your heart.” They should be the filter that ever action and decision is viewed through. They are important in determining the WAY you conduct your business but I feel that they should NOT be part of your marketing/advertising. Core Values should be reflected to the customer in actions and not words. It reminds me of the saying that says, “if you can define it, then you ain’t got it.” If you have to TELL me what your core values are as opposed to showing me, then your core values aren’t very effective.

By: Scott Dunn

Scott Dunn — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 01:47:29 +0000

JReid: I could not have said it better myself! If core values are pretty much the same across the board in ALL companies, why publish them on a website? If everyone does it, then how does it make your company different? And if your employees do not live up to them why do I care what they are?

Thanks again for your comments!!!

Scott

By: JReid

JReid — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:09:45 +0000

Posting them adds an element (albeit a small one) of accountability. It’s like flying your company flag. In the case you talked about, you read their core values — right? The danger - for the company — of course is just like you pointed out — that if you’re folks aren’t living, breathing examples of the values, if they’re not intrinsic, then the flag AND the values are meaningless.

Having said all that though — and having participated in a gazillion strategic planning sessions where a team of us formulated our values statements, they’re not exactly known for their originality. Aren’t they all pretty much the same? Don’t they all come down to some permutation of “be nice; do your best; stand up straight” and all the rest of the rules our moms taught us as four year olds?