Posted by Michael Gunther on Fri, Apr 09, 2010 @ 12:48 PM
Over the past few years, it has become common for businesses to promote their core values and their ethical practices as part of their marketing strategies. They may be promoted directly to employees in mission statements, in training manuals, or in employee newsletters; they may also be promoted to clients in websites, in industry publications, or in printed marketing materials.
But when the rubber hits the road and it comes time to make business decisions and set company direction, are these values and ethics reviewed and utilized? Is staff expected to uphold these values and ethics in their code of conduct even if the leaders of the company neglect them?
Sadly, we can just turn to the news to see many examples of companies that are neglecting their own code of conduct. Most recently, Toyota has stepped away from their core values. For years they had built a culture around quality, safety, and service; yet when it came time to decide how to handle their issue of faulty gas pedals they seemingly didn't review their own core values. They chose to be secretive, withhold information, and react slowly. Now they have damaged their reputation - perhaps irreparably.
By contrast, Johnson & Johnson has a strong set of core values that they live and operate by - that their first responsibility is to provide the highest quality products to their clients. When the Tylenol poisonings occurred back in the early 1980s, Johnson & Johnson took one look at their core values and reacted within them. With their number one concern being consumer safety, they pulled all of their products off the shelves across the world (not just in the impacted areas) at the cost of millions of dollars. Their quick response in recalling the product and their swift action in reaching out to the victims' families were part of their core values and ethics. By doing the right thing, they saved their brand reputation and in the long run saved millions of dollars.
This question of values and ethics brings to my mind the old adage, "The way you do anything is the way you do everything"; meaning if you are willing to cheat, lie, or take advantage of people in one area, why would anyone believe that you would do any different in another? Business owners or leaders who are dishonest about defects in their product or service even when they know they exist; who expect their employees to take ownership for their actions and mistakes yet do not do the same for their own actions or mistakes; or who talk negatively about customers, employees, past employees, etc. yet expect others to treat them or their customers with respect, create a lack of confidence in their integrity and in their leadership ability.
To be a truly credible business leader, you must live by your core values or code of ethics within your business; you must walk your talk. Your employees and clients will know when you don't. If you want your employees to operate within the values you put in place for your business, you need to lead by example and live by those values.
The Bottom Line
Walk your talk. If you operate from a set of core values and ethics and want your employees to as well, keep yourself in check to make sure you are truly living by them. Values and ethics are not optional. "The way you do anything is the way you do everything."
Is there a topic that you would like Michael to discuss? If so, email him at MGunther@collaboration-llc.com or call (805) 541-9040 to let him know.
Michael Gunther is Founder and President of Collaboration LLC, a team of highly skilled business professionals who are dedicated to assisting proactive business owners to build profitable, sustainable businesses through results-oriented education, coaching, and consulting services. Learn more at www.collaboration-llc.com.
Posted by Beth Fillerup on Thu, Jan 14, 2010 @ 04:51 PM
2009 will go down as one of the worst economic years since the Great Depression. And yet, life and business goes on. As we start a new year as well as a new decade, it is up to each of us to focus on the opportunities and attitudes that will allow us, and our businesses, to thrive in 2010.
Let's start by looking at some of the opportunities available to us in the coming year:
Less competition. Many businesses have had to shut their doors this year, bringing the "survival of the fittest" into play. Fewer competitors mean larger market share for the businesses that were able to survive.
New services or products. With the changing buying behaviors of consumers and businesses alike, we have the opportunity to redesign or create new products or service offerings to meet the demands of the market.
Abundance of talent. It's unfortunate that high unemployment will most likely continue this year, but it does provide us with the great opportunity to pick and choose from the abundance of talented individuals who are looking for jobs and add them to our teams.
Sluggish Economy. Yes, I see this challenge as an opportunity. The economy is expected to be sluggish at best this year, and credit will be even tighter. This presents a chance to continue sharpening our leadership skills, become more determined and intent on growing our businesses, and become better stewards of our finances, taking our businesses to new heights. It is often adversity and difficult times that bring the greatest growth.
In terms of attitude, I think Chuck Swindoll puts it best. I got his quote from a restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina many years ago. The restaurant gave it out to all patrons and, not coincidentally, the employees all had great attitudes.
"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our ATTITUDES."
The Bottom Line
As a business owner, to thrive in 2010 will require you to be mindful of all the opportunities presented to you, as well as to maintain a positive attitude no matter the challenges that you face. We know this is going to be another up and down year for businesses, and we also know that, much like in 2009, the businesses that are going to succeed are those where the leaders show true leadership.
Is there a topic that you would like Michael to discuss? If so, email him at mgunther@collaboration-llc.com or call (805) 541-9040 to let him know.
Michael Gunther is Founder and President of Collaboration LLC, a team of highly skilled business professionals who are dedicated to assisting proactive business owners to build profitable, sustainable businesses through results-oriented education, coaching, and consulting services. Learn more at www.collaboration-llc.com.