A company’s core values are guiding principles that mould its operations, culture, and identity. They influence decision-making, drive employee behaviour, and establish a company’s brand in the marketplace. Let’s discuss why core values are essential for business success.

The Role of Values in a Business

Core values define what an organisation stands for, helping to create a sense of purpose and direction.  They act as a foundation upon which the company builds its culture, strategies, and relationships. When core values are clearly defined, they provide numerous benefits:

1. Decision-Making: Core values are a guide for making business decisions, ensuring that actions align with the company’s mission and vision. This consistency fosters trust and integrity.
2. Strong Culture: A company’s culture is a reflection of its core values. When values are deeply ingrained, they shape the behaviour and attitudes of employees, creating a positive work environment.
3. Brand Identity: Core values help to differentiate a company from its competitors. They communicate what the company stands for to the internal and external community, strengthening the brand’s reputation.
4. Employee Engagement: Employees who share and believe in the company’s core values are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and committed. This leads to higher productivity. 

Our Core Values

Four key values – progressive, authentic, united, and purposeful – define our company and guide our actions. Our values act as a guide for all interactions with clients, candidates, and colleagues alike. Together, these values create an environment where collaboration is seamless, goals are achieved and every interaction is marked by a commitment to success.

Progressive

Being progressive means continuously striving for innovation and improvement. We embrace change and seek out new opportunities to grow and evolve. This forward-thinking mindset allows us to stay ahead of industry trends, adapt to shifting market demands, and deliver cutting-edge solutions to our clients and candidates. 

• We welcome challenges and break through barriers.
• We are innovative with a growth mindset.
• We remain accountable so we can drive continuous improvement.
• We encourage our team to continue ongoing learning and development through our L&D Training. 
• We remain flexible and open to change, quickly adapting to meet the needs of our clients and the job market.

Authentic

Authenticity is about being genuine, transparent, and true to our word. We believe in honest communication and building trust through our actions. By staying true to our principles, we create meaningful connections with our peers, clients and candidates, maintaining our integrity.

• We strive to create a culture where people can be true to themselves.
• We are conscientious, honest and embrace an open door policy.
• We foster trust to build mutually beneficial partnerships.
• We communicate openly with our clients and candidates, providing clear and accurate information throughout the recruitment process.
• We build trust through consistent and reliable behaviour, earning the confidence of everyone we interact with.

United

Unity is the strength that comes from working together towards common goals. We value collaboration, respect diverse perspectives, and foster a sense of belonging among our team members. By leveraging our collective strengths, we achieve greater success in matching the right talent with the right opportunities.

• We embrace diversity and strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard. 
• We support each other through challenges and celebrate our achievements together, reinforcing our sense of community.
• We inspire and champion one another.
• We recognise and reward success. 
• We help each other grow, learn and succeed.
• We treat colleagues, clients and candidates as equals in every situation and encounter.

Purposeful

Being purposeful means operating with intention and clarity. We are driven by a clear mission and are committed to making a positive impact. Our decisions and actions are guided by a desire to create value and contribute to the greater good.

• We seek to make a meaningful difference through our recruitment services and community initiatives.
• We are committed to sustainable practices that benefit both our business and the environment, ensuring a better future for all.
• We invest in sustainability and champion EDI
• We have a positive impact on the communities we reach
• Our foundations are built on good, ethical and meaningful intentions 

How to Get Employees to Embrace Company Values

Get Employees Involved

One of the most effective ways to ensure that employees embrace company values is to involve them in the creation process. When employees contribute to defining what the company stands for, they are more likely to feel a sense of ownership and alignment with these values. Start by conducting a survey to gather employees’ opinions and insights. Analyse the survey results to identify common themes and values that resonate with your employees. Look for patterns and prioritise values that align with both employee feedback and the company’s strategic goals.

Plan a Values Launch Event

Once the values are defined, it’s crucial to launch them in a way that generates excitement and commitment. Plan a memorable launch event. This could be a company-wide meeting, a special celebration, or an interactive online session for remote teams. Use this platform to explain the values, the process of creating them, and the importance of each one. At The Recruitment Co. we launched our values at our annual company conference, allowing employees to get involved in tasks that each embodied one of our values:

• Purposeful – We did our bit to support local homeless shelters with essential items
• United – We explored Manchester on a treasure hunt to solve a code back at the base
• Progressive – A brainteasing test of patience and logic
• Authentic – An inspiring talk by Inside Mind on embracing your true self

Leadership Buy in is Crucial

Leaders play a critical role in embedding company values. Encourage executives and managers to share personal stories and examples of how they embody these values in their daily work. This top-down endorsement can significantly influence employee adoption.

Demonstrate an Ongoing Commitment

The launch is just the beginning. To keep the values alive and embedded in the company culture, ongoing efforts are needed. Maintain an ongoing dialogue about the values. Use newsletters, internal blogs, and social media to share stories and updates that highlight how the values are being lived out in the business. Encourage employees to share their own experiences and examples.

Core values are the foundation upon which successful recruitment companies are built. They provide a clear sense of direction, foster a positive culture, enhance brand identity, and drive employee engagement. By embodying the values of being progressive, authentic, united, and purposeful, we not only define who we are but also set the stage for matching the right talent with the right opportunities.

Getting employees to embrace company values is an ongoing journey that requires involvement, excitement, and continuous reinforcement. By engaging employees in the creation of these values, launching them with impact, and embedding them into the daily fabric of the business, companies can build a strong, value-driven culture that propels them towards their business goals.