How to successfully identify and implement core values at your company
Having a set of core values is essential for any company's success.
However, choosing the right values is only the first step. The real challenge lies in implementing them throughout your organisation.
As an HR Generalist, Amanda Nylander is always working on finding new ways to implement the core values at Trapets.
In this article, she shares her experience and insights on successfully implementing core values at a company.
Tell us about yourself.
Hello! I'm Amanda Nylander, and I work as an HR Generalist at Trapets. I'm here as a parental leave cover, handling all HR-related matters.
My previous experience is as an HR Generalist, so this broad role suits me well!
Can you describe the process of choosing the core values for Trapets?
When choosing our current values, it was essential for us that these words align with Trapets culture and everyone working here and that they wouldn't end up just as disconnected words.
Choosing values is more than a one-person job; it requires a lot of cross-communication between different departments and several rounds of workshops and discussions.
In the end, we found four values that best describe Trapets and what it's like to work here - Engagement, Growth, Together, and Trust.
From your experience as an HR Generalist, what are your three tips for implementing core values at a company?
My first advice is to involve the employees when first choosing company values. Employees are the people who make up the company and its culture. What are their views of the company culture? How would they describe the company in a couple of words?
Secondly, the core values you choose for the company need to be lived and kept alive - it's continuous work. Try to include them as much as possible not only in the HR processes, but also in other company events and activities.
For example, we include our core values in our yearly growth talks, where employees reflect on their past year at Trapets. We also implemented them at our kick-off, where fellow colleagues got the chance to nominate one or more team members who best lived the values during the previous year.
Lastly, the core values should be brought into the business plan. Help everyone understand how they are intertwined in our business and what we do. Allow the values to be a guide on how to execute the objectives set up.