Beyond Words on Paper

Beyond Words on Paper

Many of us have spent time in companies where the official corporate values are simply words on paper, and once they’re completed, they get filed away for safekeeping. Subsequently, the executive team envisions that employees will embrace these values, but there seems to be no action plan for implementing these concepts in day-to-day activities.

Bringing Corporate Values to Life

I believe that corporate values provide an essential sense of purpose that today’s employees desire, and should therefore be continuously expressed and reinforced so members can fully embrace and bring them to the marketplace. Here I’ll share just a few of the ways we bring our corporate values to life here at Okuma America.

“Who We Are” as a Company

Several years ago Okuma America conducted a comprehensive internal process to establish our corporate mission, vision, and values. This process was heavily research-based to include input from customers, partners and employees, so we were confident we captured an accurate picture of “who we are” as a company and what we stand for in the eyes of our stakeholders. Our mission statement, “We passionately pursue a customer for life” is a key centerpiece for our values, and something we express often, both internally and externally.

Presentations Put a Spotlight on Values

One of the ways we express this is in our group presentations. No matter what the presentation is about, we open with a Values slide, and briefly discuss this with the audience to provide perspective. Our mission statement is always prominently displayed, and the presenter also highlights a couple key points that are relevant to the topic being presented. We’ve found this to be a powerful way to keep our values top-of-mind for our employees, while providing a compelling point of differentiation in the eyes of our customers.

Okuma America Corporation: Mission, Vision and Values

Recognizing Individual Achievement

We use a performance management software called 15Five to collect feedback about employees who are doing a great job in their positions. Members can give their co-workers what’s called a “high five” when they do something notable, and they indicate the particular corporate value this action represents. At the end of the year, we analyze these individual achievements and rank them based on feedback from managers and the executive team.

Each year our December holiday party includes a ceremony where we give an award and a check to the top performer for each value, and also an overall winner for representing all of our values in total. Once again, this provides a great way to keep our values in the minds of our employees and to recognize exemplary actions that bring these values to life.

Okuma America Corporation

A Life Force for the Organization

As you can see, corporate values are something we cherish at Okuma America. It’s what gives our company heart and soul, and it gives our employees purpose. I hear it often from employees, both new and old, that they feel fired up about coming to work because they have a purpose and know how they’re contributing to the overall mission. Every day we touch and express some aspect of our corporate values, and this keeps them in our awareness as a top priority at all times.

Good things happen when you liberate your values beyond just words on paper. Values become a life force for the organization that sets you apart in the marketplace.

About Jim King

Jim King is President and COO of Okuma America Corporation, a world-leading builder of CNC (Computer Numeric Control) machine tools, founded in 1898 in Nagoya, Japan. Okuma is the industry’s only single-source provider, with the CNC machine, drive, motors, encoders, and spindle all manufactured by Okuma. The company also designs its own CNC controls to integrate seamlessly with each machine tool’s functionality.

Company: Okuma America Corporation

Website: www.okuma.com

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This article appeared first on the Okuma America website.


Guy Cruise

Security Manager

1 年

Excellent article Jim. Really gets me thinking as I am getting ready to retire. Thank you for posting.

回复
Courtney W.

COO@ FM Machine Co | Manufacturing Process Improvement | WIM Ohio

1 年

Excellent post, Jim. Also, once your company no longer embodies those values, its time for an update to reflect the current leadership's value system, and stop resting on the value system that no longer aligns with the culture. Thanks for the read!

Nick Goellner

VP Sales & Marketing | Goellner Inc. Companies AME & Hennig Partner & Podcast Host @ MakingChips | The "OG" Podcast for MFG Leaders

1 年

Jim King - this resonates so much! One thing we noticed is when we’re actually using the words throughout the year: When we’re making personnel decisions, when we’re at a tough crossroads without an easy answer, when we’re making key strategic choices that will impact the future direction of our family business… When we hear people use those terms, that’s an indicator that those values are truly “core” values that go beyond words on paper.

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Scott Cornwell

Managing Partner and Executive Coach (BCC, MBA, PCC) at The Center for Intentional Leadership

1 年

Jim, I can say firsthand that after experiencing the people in your organization and spending a great deal of time with you and your leadership, these values are much more than words on the wall. Thank you for leading your organization intentionally with these values.

回复
Heath S.

Customer-Centric Sales Specialist | Quality Mgmt Enthusiast | Results-Driven

1 年

also Jim King, Phillip Crosby, renowned quality management expert, emphasized the importance of management's commitment to the company's goals and values in order to inspire employees to align with them. He believed that for employees to fully embrace the company's mission and values, it was essential for management to demonstrate genuine support and dedication towards those principles. Crosby often stressed the concept of "management commitment" in his teachings, which involves leadership actively endorsing and championing the organization's objectives and values. When management genuinely believes in and supports the company's purpose and values, their enthusiasm and dedication become apparent to employees. This, in turn, fosters a sense of trust, motivation, and alignment among the workforce. In summary, Crosby's viewpoint underscores that management must lead by example by embodying the company's mission and values, thereby encouraging employees to do the same. This alignment creates a cohesive and motivated workforce, ultimately contributing to the organization's success. ?? ??

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