Values Drive Standards

Have you ever allowed something to happen in your business or made a decision that didn’t sit right with you?

Have you ever heard yourself echo the words, ‘normally I wouldn’t do this, but for you, I’ll make an exception?’ This is an example of deviating from standards. It may not be a problem initially but you might find this becomes the norm over time and now you have set a new standard that’s not aligned with your business values.  Before you know it, others are following your lead.

When things start to go in a direction you’re not happy about, and frustration sets in, it’s a build-up of a lot of small things not going to plan and if you look closely, you will see that along the way you may have lost your direction. The direction in this case, meaning staying true to what the business stands for, the values.

Go back to your business’s values and see what part of the business, whether in the people, process or product and identify where values are not being applied consistently.

Ask why they aren’t being applied, maybe the values haven’t been clearly communicated, or it’s not clear how the business’s values are interpreted in the daily operations.

Let’s use this example. If your values are reliable and quality, a non-negotiable principle to apply in your business could be;

‘To deliver a quality product on time, every time,’ This now sets a standard.

So whether it’s yourself or your team delivering a product or service, make sure to check-in and ask if what’s being delivered is to standard. If it’s not, don’t accept it. Make the necessary changes until it is to the standard you have set and expect.

You don’t want to make a decision, where later on you find yourself saying ‘I knew I wasn’t making the right decision, but I went with it anyway.’ It could turn out to be a costly decision not only from a monetary perspective but also your brand and reputation.

P.S When you are ready, reach out and we can discuss the standards within your business to increase efficiency, quality and profits.

EmpowerBeyond – Business Performance Solutions, focusing on people, process, products and services and improving productivity and cash flow www.empowerbeyond.com.au