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What Are Core Values?‍

Core Values are a statement of what you and your employees believe in. They are meant to be used as a moral guide book for decision making and interactions and are a big part of what defines your company’s culture. On a practical level, Core Values, also called value statements, generally consist of four to six statements that define your highest priorities as a company and translate them into actionable statements.

Why Should You "Wordsmith" Your Unique Core Values?

They are a simple, direct, and cost-effective way to communicate your company culture to customers, employees, and vendors. Developing and putting you're core values into practice can be a game changer:

• Imagine a customer trying to choose between you and a competitor who both quoted close prices on the same job or product. The company that communicates their values stands out and has a better chance of winning the sale.
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• Instead of managers explaining how to succeed as an employee over and over again, your core values are always present to guide workers in the right direction.
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• Your suppliers and vendors will see what you stand for and they may feel more confident about doing business with you because your values show you are working to be the best you can be.
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‍How To Come Up With Your Company's Core Values‍

Consider how you want customers and employees to be treated and come up with actionable behaviors that would create those outcomes. Teamwork? Best-in-Class Workmanship? Inclusiveness? Neatness? Don’t be afraid to be original. As a matter of fact, the more original the better. Avoid fancy “buzzwords” and write them like your customers would say them.
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Include employees in the conversation for perspective and buy-in. Your values must be lived up to by all in the organization. At the end of the process don’t settle for anything less than “a guide to how you would want your family to treat each other.” And remember, you can always change them if you think of something better. If you google “company core values” there are plenty of examples and ideas. Here’s a great article to get you started.

How To Promote Your Core Values

At the least you can add them to your website as a written section and place a poster communicating them with the other workplace info near the time clock. At Victory Truck Body they are featured on our “about us” page with a simple illustration and description for each value.

We also printed a pocket sized brochure that each employee receives. It's used like a “guide book” to decide the best way to handle tough situations. They were featured on hats, as pins, and on employee incentive program hoodies. Consider making social media posts about employees who lived up to your values.

If you are looking to have illustrations made without breaking the bank there are sites where different designers provide freelance services.

Here are the full versions of Victory Truck Body's Core Values:
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‍Drive to Succeed - Set and achieve work goals that benefit the company. Take initiative, innovate, and improve. Invest your best effort into every task. Our success depends on your success.

Do the Right Thing, Always - Act with integrity, keep your word, and be honest. Take responsibility and be worthy of trust. Speak up if you have an idea or concern. Never cut corners at the expense of safety. Always.

Be a Great Team Player - Strive to be positive, fun to work with, inclusive, and humble. Our differences make us stronger as a team. We all have something to offer and are unstoppable when we work together.

Do Great Work - Always put the customer first. Sweat the details. Be a pro who does the job right the first time, every time. Our reputation is a reflection of you working hard and smart.

Grow Yourself and Others - Stay curious. Ask questions. Take every opportunity to educate yourself and improve your skills. Mentor others and pass on your knowledge to benefit our team.

Equality - Respect Every Voice - A diverse and accepting workplace increases innovation and success. An inclusive culture reflecting all of society isn’t just right, it’s smart. Be respectful, non-judgmental, and fair to all.
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