What are the core values of a business and how to apply them

To succeed in business, you must have a strong set of core values that you adhere to.

A few core values are essential for any thriving business. This blog post will explore some of the most important values to adhere to make your business thrive.

What are the three main core values of a business?

The three main core values of a business are profitability, growth, and shareholder value.

  • Profitability is the capacity of a business to generate enough revenue to cover its costs and generate a positive return on investment. 
  • Growth is the ability of a business to expand its operations and increase its sales and profits. 
  • Shareholder value is the number of money shareholders would receive if they sold their shares today.

These three core values are the foundation of any successful business. Without them, a business will quickly become unprofitable and will eventually fail. By focusing on these three core values, businesses can ensure that they are operating in a way that will maximize shareholder value and create long-term profitability and growth.

How to apply these three core values to your Entrepreneurial endeavors or business

At its core, effective leadership is about inspiring others to achieve common goals. However, strong leadership also requires a deep understanding of one’s values and how they can be used to guide others. Three values, in particular, are essential for any leader: integrity, respect, and responsibility.

Leaders must, first and foremost, be people of integrity. It means being honest and transparent in all interactions with those they lead and the wider world. It also means living up to their commitments and ensuring that their actions match their words. Respect is another key value for leaders. It means treating others with dignity and understanding, listening to different points of view, and valuing the contributions of all team members.

Finally, leaders must take responsibility for their decisions and the consequences that follow. It includes being accountable for good and bad results and accepting that failure is part of the learning process. In short, successful leaders must be guided by strong values if they want to inspire others to achieve great things. By applying the values of integrity, respect, and responsibility to their leadership style, a leader can encourage by saying that I have created a positive impact within my team and organization.

The value of core values

Lisa Huetteman, a business coach, has published a fantastic book on a subject (The Value of Core Values) frequently addressed and focused on in business but never handled successfully. Every business person should have eager to read it as soon as possible. The author has featured five keys to success through value-centered leadership in this book. By reading this book, you can have a constructive and practical approach to values.

The five core values are as follows.
Owning your values

Your essential identity should be reflected in your organizational and personal principles. Having values is one thing, but actually, “owning” them is another. Nobody else will be dedicated to them if you are not.

Every value starts with the individual. The individual and the organization suffer when personal and organizational values are out of sync.

Defining values

It would help if you gave your selected values meaning by defining them precisely so that everyone is aware of the actions they support and ban.

Sharing values

You must regularly and consistently express your company’s values to ensure everyone is aware of them. Promoting essential principles half-heartedly is not only unproductive but also harmful. The message that they are unimportant and irrelevant is sent loud and clear when you choose not to share them.

Institutionalizing your values

It is essential if you want them to guide all decisions and actions within your firm. Supportive infrastructure is necessary for core values to flourish. They won’t have much ongoing influence if you don’t incorporate them into your business processes.

Respecting core values

If you treat your company’s essential principles as negotiable, they will lose their significance. Words are less powerful than deeds. Core values must be upheld to be genuine. The most important and challenging thing a values-centered leader will have to accomplish is upholding key values.

Directions to a successful business foundation based on core values

Many successful businesses are built on a foundation of core values. These values are the guiding principles that dictate how the company operates and make decisions. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to developing core values, a few tips can help you create a strong foundation for your business.

  • First, you must be clear about your business’s goals. What are your goals and objectives? What do you want your company to stand for? Once you have a good sense of your goals, you can start identifying the values that will help you achieve them.
  • It’s also important to keep your audience in mind when developing your values. What will resonate with your customers or clients? What will attract and retain the best employees? Keep these considerations in mind as you develop your list of core values.
  • Finally, don’t be afraid to be unique. There is no need to copy the values of other businesses. Instead, focus on creating a set of values that truly reflects your company’s identity.

By following these tips, you can develop a set of core values that will help guide your business to success.

Prioritising your values concerning your professional life and goals

It is important to be clear about your values and how they relate to your professional life and goals. It will help you prioritize your time and energy and make decisions that align with what is most important to you. There are many different factors to consider when defining your values, but some common ones include community, career, financial security, personal growth, and contribution. Once you have identified your values, you must regularly check in to see if they align with your current situation. If they are not, it may be time to make some changes to bring your life back into balance.

December 12, 2022
Ashley McVea
Head of Marketing @ Empiraa