At least once a year I like to go through a what I’m calling a ‘State of the company‘ review that answers questions as if we are starting this company from anew. It should be noted that what I try to avoid is being generic. Avoiding those scenarios like meaningless, adjective-heavy mission statements and over generalized goals that don’t “walk the walk”. If we don’t take these values with us and live and breathe them, what’s the point? And beyond all that, I want a company that stands for something. It is a wonderful exercise that brings what we do back to its roots and I’d like to share with you guys what I’ve been working on.
What kind of company do you want to build?
Our company is expanding in both services and people. We are getting into software development now and want to provide the same high level of software services as consulting services do today. If we look at everything we do (technology audits, risk assessments, security testing, community platforms) all of these services common denominator is rooted in education. Our services provide more of a coaching experience than the judging people or organizations. So our vision/mantra/belief is all tied together in the phrase,
“Service through education.”
It’s short and sweet but with meaning. Everything we do ties back to this mantra.
What are our shared goals that everyone in the company exudes?
Next step is establishing through every single person in our company what we belief in. I see this as a ’sales-side’ of the company. Not from the getting deals standpoint but from the ‘this is how we’re built’ standpoint. To say it in another way, it’s our Commandments.
- Quality service regardless of client - We treat everyone, regardless of size of organization, the same way.
- ‘Our word’ should mean something - Many people today don’t let a handshake or a verbal promise be a commitment to something, we do.
- Honest but realistic - We want to shoot people straight but also temper it with realistic expectations due to their situation.
- Give openly - We want to better this world so giving openly will always open more doors than close them.
- It’s not what ‘I’ accomplish, it what ‘we’ accomplish - We know this isn’t all about us, this is about the success of our clients and their customers.
- Success is defined by happiness, not $$$ - I’m most proud of this one. We define success based off of our clients and employees happiness, not by the size of the paychecks. This is why ROWE thinking excites me so!
I’m in the middle of this exercise and have started at the company level and I’m now working on the business levels and then down to the product level (then lastly, people level). Each level down gets easier due to the foundation the previous level left before it. I’d would LOVE to hear your feedback to this and how you are helping your company become a world class organization.
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William Azaroff
November 12th, 2008
Really enjoyed reading this, Brad. The differentiation you’re talking about is very exciting. Thanks for sharing this.
So many companies try to eke out a living without giving a clear and distinct sense of who they are. But so many people want to work for, be associated with and deal with companies that stand for something.
As Shevlin kept asking in Indiana, Who would this NOT work for? If you can’t answer that about your company, perhaps you’re not differentiating yourself enough (although it sounds like you are).
Brad
November 13th, 2008
Thanks William, that means alot coming from you. Vancity does a great job defining themselves and to do it as such a large institution is no easy task. Kudos to you and your management!
The question who were not right for is always ringing in my head and I think it’s a very important one. We want to definitively answer that question at each level of the company and leave our employees with no doubt.
Once we know who is wrong, we can focus in on those that are right.
William Azaroff
November 13th, 2008
I also like the fact that your vision statement is short and doesn’t include words like “quality” or phrases like “through exceptional blah blah blah we will strive to blah blah blah.”
I also like the headline “We are the aspirin for your technology compliance headaches.” Ultimately the more clearly defined you are, the easier it is to come up with memorable ads that stick in your customers’ minds.
Ron Shevlin
November 13th, 2008
“We want to shoot people straight”.
Heh. Good one.
Seriously, though. This is a great list of principles.
James Robert Lay
December 3rd, 2008
Great thoughts Brad and I see our values align. To expand… it’s not about us but our client… I don’t even like the word client but partner. I think this is one of the keys to success is to value the relationship… not the account. It’s also important to build a good team and keep them happy. Let them innovate. Let them create. Let them be who they are as a person. Everyone can bring something good to the table. There are no wrong answers. Give back. Give back to the community. Give back to the industry you work in. Volunteer. Donate time. Donate services. Be small. Think big. Give thanks. Set goals… short term… long term. Be a friend.