How can you communicate your business values?

Defining and communicating your business values is foundational to a strong brand identity. It's about encapsulating core principles that guide every action. Involving stakeholders enriches values with diverse perspectives and fosters ownership. Crafting concise yet impactful values is key - etched in memory like a mantra. Sharing values is a promise - that your brand stands for something meaningful and contributes positively. Let's keep communicating our values, building trust and purpose with our audience!

One of the most common problems in value definition is that many institutions fall for the trap of trying to over impress stakeholders and crowds. This is driven by the fact that values are perceived as a merchandise taking part of a selling the institution to third parties rather than an organic value proposition that is streaming out of core personal, work, environmental and ethical fundamentals. Overdoing the value proposition of any institution makes this exercise disconnected from it commercial target and thus failing to gather belief, momentum and thus failing to achieve a systematic value proposition rather than a target to fetch.

Be authentic with your values. Aligning your values with meaningful actions reinforces your credibility and builds lasting connections. It needs to come from within.

I agree, the most common enemy of values attainment and maintenance is commercial targets. Sometimes values are challenged by commercial target, specially if decision makers are under pressure or some of the stakeholders are greedy. Competition can crown values as your commercial winner on the long run, while shortsighted Competition can contribute to values destruction and thus your stakeholders would start to recognise that your valies are more of a selling technique rather than a core concept that is balanced against your commercial target and is a fundamental business leverage.

Tell a story. Weaving your values into compelling narratives that illustrate real-world instances of how your business lives out these values.

There are 3 most importants ways to communicate your values: 1. Company Website: The digital gateway for many, a dedicated section highlighting company values offers immediate insight and establishes trust. 2. Social Media: Platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter amplify values through shared stories and interactions, forging a strong narrative and rapport with audiences. 3. Training and Workshops: Consistent internal training embeds values within the workforce, ensuring both employees and external stakeholders experience a united front. Utilizing these channels, businesses can seamlessly convey and reinforce their core values, creating a cohesive brand identity.

First, we must refine our ethical compass. Strengthen its core and nurture an internal culture of values and virtues. This isn't merely about displaying a code of conduct—it's about making ethics a living reality, especially in challenging times.

Sometimes your values can change. Not necessarily for the worse, but they can be redefined and they can be improved. Add a little flex, it won't hurt.