Category Archives: Values

How Values Make or Break Your Business (And You)

This is the fourth and last post in my series on values. Understanding values and their impact on our lives is particularly important to me. Like many people, I fell into my career. All my plans and dreams were pushed aside in favour of a paycheque and a company car. My seduction by a good…

Who Cares About Values? (Part III)

Identifying Core Values Most strategic planning processes use the writing of the statement of core values as the process by which they are identified. Big mistake. Write the statement only after you’ve identified your true values. If you are focused on writing the statement you will be influenced by how your values sound to others…

Who Cares About Values? (Part II)

“At this moment, America’s highest economic need is higher ethical standards — standards enforced by strict laws and upheld by responsible business leaders.” George W. Bush, July 9, 2002 When was the last time you saw a corporate statement of values without the word excellence in it? Companies big and small claim a devotion to…

Who Cares About Values?

“If you think of vision and mission as an organization’s head and heart, the values it holds are its soul.” V.R. Buzzotta Part One in a Series I started out writing an article on the importance of uncovering our true core values when developing a strategic plan. As I began explaining why values are important…

Customer Service: Act Now – Think Later

(Originally published May 30, 2009) What is your customer service policy for dealing with complaints? Do you make your customers jump through hoops to register a complaint (think cable and telephone companies)? Do you treat each complaint suspiciously as a possible attempt by your customer to get something for nothing? Or do you welcome complaints…