Today’s blog is going to share why you really should make the effort to focus on your company’s values. They have more value – pun intended – than you realize.
I’m not gonna lie. Today is one of those days when it is tough for me to write this blog. It’s the end of summer and it’s harder for my brain to focus because drinking a margarita in the pool this afternoon sounds more my speed right now. It’s been a busy week and I would love to chill out a little. Can anyone else relate? But I’m gonna stick this out because you’re worth it and I want you to learn how powerful values can be to improve and grow your business.
What are you going to learn? - how values help your business - the structure to create or reevaluate your values - how to transform values from empty platitudes to the meat that draws in more clients. If you do this one, you won’t get brownie points from me, you’ll get more money in your account from clients who trust you and want to buy from you.
Definition of Business Values First of all, I guess we should start by defining what I mean by your values. I see values as the meaning behind your vision if you take it apart and look at its’ components, deconstructed.
Like I mentioned in my last blog on vision, the difference between your mission statement and your vision statement is that your mission states exactly what you do right now for your customers. Your vision tells the greater purpose and heart or the reason why you do what you do. Your values should break this down and spell it out in greater detail.
For instance, my vision is Help others maximize their God-given gifts through their businesses or organizations.
My vision statement could be interpreted all sorts of ways. My values will clarify what I mean. Our vision statements can be broad enough to give us some wiggle room to grow and evolve while also serving as the compass keeps us on course. My values communicate how I define my vision:
Cherish Clients Focus on Results Create an Environment of Trust and Truth Silver Lining Thinking Leading with Character
These are listed at www.stellanovastrategies.com/character-attributes/ with a sentence or two for each to provide more detail.
Creative Exercise to Define or Reevaluate Your Values Here is where you get to tap into the creative part of your brain. Close your eyes and think of a time when someone did something positive for you that shocked you because it was unexpected and impacted/transformed the way you think, work, or behave. Now draw a simple image that symbolizes what this means to you. Do this a few times thinking of different people and situations that have made an imprint on you, shaping the way you conduct yourself and your business and voila!, you have the main pieces for your core values. Now do a gut check and see if you are truly living these out in your business.
Do you do these for your customers?
This exercise will do one of two things. It may reinforce what you do and allow you to break down your values into tangible words and phrases that help you teach others who you are, how you are different from your competitors, and what they can expect when they work with you. OR, it may help you realize that you need to reevaluate your values and the way you do business with others. How Values Help Your Business Think about why you decide to work with one person over one of their competitors who offer something similar. Chances are it fell into one of these categories: - you had a better connection with one person over another - one seemed more transparent and genuine that you knew you could trust them - one had a lower price
While you might think that last one is most important, I’m here to tell you that it really isn’t. Many people will pay a premium simply because they enjoy someone more and/or they know exactly what to expect and know they can trust him or her.
How to transform values from empty platitudes to the meat that draws in more clients If the three reasons listed above shape many of our buying decisions, let’s focus here. Oh wait, we just did. It’s called walking out our values!! When you do these three steps, it will make all the difference: 1. Become aware of exactly what others can always expect from you that is straight from your heart to theirs 2. Communicate these in concrete terms to your audience consistently 3. Let your audience watch you demonstrate this in your interactions with them and with others.
There you have it. You now know what your values are, you’re communicating them consistently, and you’re demonstrating them in the way you work. When implemented, this will go a long way in quickly gaining clients and referrals.
How have your values worked for you in your business? Let me know in the comments.
