The end of the year is near. Every business owner is urged to review the past 12 months and plan for the New Year ahead. But where to begin and what to consider? The typical plan would include financials, markets, products and services, marketing and internal processes and procedures. Depending on your company size, you may also be asked to review and plan HR. We invite you to try something different this year!
Read on and join in:
Through our work with all types and sizes of businesses we have learnt that the most important part in any living and growing unit is the energy center. In people this is the heart, in the Universe it is the sun and in one’s business it is core values.
What are your Values?
Core values truly define your company. This means every activity is measured against them and the company delivers a consistent experience for its clients based on them. Core values are the energy center of your business.
Without them, there is no direction, no measurability and there are no common denominators for your team to do things.
Therefore, we have created a key exercise for you to partake in. Even if you don’t get the chance to devise any other plan or review any other part of your business do this exercise. You will inevitably derive all the necessary information you require to go into the New Year with a very clear direction.
2013 Values = Spirit = Power Exercise
Get yourself a piece of paper, a whiteboard or a storyboard. Go ahead and do the exercise as suggested. You can do this as a solopreneur or together with your team.
Take the Steps
1.) From the choices below, start by highlighting the 10 values that most resonate with you.
| truth
curiosity efficiency initiative environment communication power control courage competition excitement creativity happiness honor innovation obedience financial growth community support effectiveness integrity peace loyalty clarity security love intelligence hope persistence sincerity fun relationships wisdom |
flexibility
perspective commitment recognition learning communication honesty originality candor prosperity discipline respect fairness order spirituality adventure cooperation humor collaboration empathy family open-mindedness resources autonomy dependability trust beauty excellence teamwork service challenge profitability |
freedom
friendship influence decisiveness justice quality hard work responsiveness fulfillment purposefulness diversity strength self-control cleverness success stewardship support equality harmony patience growth variety productivity competence health risk-taking simplicity independence patience simplicity |
2.) Narrow down your choices to your top 5 values (I know this is tricky 🙂
3.) Taking one value at a time, write down:
- What key points does this core value translate into for you? Write them all down.
- How can each key point be broken down into manageable action steps? And how will you incorporate them into the processes of your business? Be specific and ensure realistic timelines of implementation.
- What is your communication process to share your core values internally (staff, contractors, stakeholders) and externally (clients, prospects, partners and media)? Remember, communication is huge!
- What success indicators will you set to measure the successful implementation of those actions throughout the year? Don’t forget this important step because being able to measure it, means being able to manage it!
4.) Display your core values in all manners possible – on your office wall, as your desktop background, as email signature for all to see! This will act as a constant reminder to you and ensure fullest realization throughout the year.
Once you are clear on your core values, any events, requests from others, opportunities or suggestions that do not fit will have to be passed on, deferred or canceled. If it does not fit – it does not feature!
Don’t Wait!
From now on, literally everything will be measured against your own code of ethics, i.e. your core values. People included. Your values will offer laser sharp focus throughout the entire New Year and nothing and no one will take you off track.
Now that you are crystal clear on what your priorities are, you can start developing your business to suit.
If you are stuck with any of the steps of the core value exercise, get in touch info@mcgbusiness.com with subject line: ‘Values-Spirit-Power’ and I will personally help you.
In fact, if you need help with any part or all of it, don’t despair but contact me before Friday, 11th January 2013 and we will schedule a 45 minutes complementary in-person Skype session to get you set up on your core values for a successful New Year.
2013 will be a rocking great prosperous year for all, and we at The Business Sanctuary will do our very best to support you every step of the way!
Wishing you and yours a very special festive season and a progressive 2013.
Yours in business success,
Conny & the TBS Team
