Dansk
Values are used in several contexts. Here I will describe values in relation to a company's strategy.
When describing the values that apply to the company, it is usually helpful to think about what morality / "etiquette" the company has and thus also describe the qualities the company holds. That's what makes the company who it is, and without those values, the company wouldn't be who it is.
Values help us make choices about what we engage in and how we do it. And if a value is exceeded or neglected, you will probably feel a gnawing sensation.
It is important to select few but strong values. The values must support the company's vision and mission and thus motivate behavior that supports and does not thwart the company's development. It is also important to ensure that values do not work against each other, but that together they provide an even stronger basis for behaviour.
If it is difficult to define the values, it can be helpful to think about what you as a company will NOT stand for and what behavior you will not accept. Many have easier access to the negative approach, but remember to turn it into positive afterwards :-).
Once you have defined the values, I always recommend setting up rules of the game as well as examples of each value. In this way, expectations are aligned and made very concrete. This should be done for all stakeholders, i.e. in relation to customers, suppliers, colleagues, etc.
There are several definitions of values. The definition we use in MakeMyStrategy™ is:
"A company's values are a set of values that the company's employees agree on both expressing what the organization stands for and what should be leading their activities. What characterizes us as an organization on the road to the goal.
Source: "Strategy in winning companies"
Values must not only be prepared so that you can then tick the check mark by now they are completed. They will be together with your other strategy material. An easy and simple approach is to use MakeMyStrategy™ as structures and summarizes all your work.
It struck me how much value it really added
Ronnie Vindbjerg Pedersen
Regional Director, Nordics
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