Why are company values so important?

Company values are the guiding principles or beliefs that shape the culture and behaviour of a company. They often include values related to integrity, innovation, teamwork, the environment, and customer relations.

Talent will often want to work for a company whose values align with their own. Staff morale, retention and productivity can be boosted by sound values.

Values help a company understand and work towards clear goals. Customers and clients are attracted to doing business with a company that has a clear value-based vision. To discover an organisation’s values, start by establishing a purpose or mission for the business. Understating the company mission first will make it easier to create values linked to this vision. Think about how you want clients to perceive the organisation and shape the values around these client perceptions.

After you have formulated your values, all business processes need to reflect them. Values should guide employee behaviour, how customers are treated and how the company relates to the wider community in which it operates.

Company values, however, should not be fixed. As the organisation grows, its values need to be refined and developed. Solid clear values make a big difference to a company’s success and direction.

If you want to get independent advice from a business consultant or coach who can look at the organisation from an outsider’s perspective, talk to us at Cheshire Business Coaching. We’ll take a hard analytical look at your business model and help you formulate values that align with both your business and personal ethics.