Centering your company around a common mission and set of core values is no easy task. Adding a value-driven recognition program to your company's HR strategy will help expedite the process of introducing the concept of core values, or help you promote the ones you already have by recognizing desired behaviors.
Often times, we see company values that are established by the company's founders, and in successful cases, these values have a ripple effect throughout the company. For example, Apple's Steve Jobs valued attention to detail and thus, employees were chosen and retained based on this quality.
Not all companies can have a Steve Jobs-like figure though, and that's why it is important to establish processes that will help align staff and draw focus towards common goals.
How to align staff around values
1. Come up with 3 to five values that are important to your company and write a detailed description for each.
2. Create graphics and symbols for these values that are easy to associate with and that align with your branding.
3. Find a few top-of-mind solutions for promoting these values and their symbols, such as on social channels, business channels, or town halls. You can create fun slogans and swag as well that employees can wear.
4. Add your value graphics into Recognize as recognition Badges.
5. Host monthly gatherings or webinars where you promote the values and highlight staff members who exhibited devotion to these values along with the specific desired behaviors they displayed.
6. Enable sharing of recognition on your company's social channels, such as Yammer. This will likely generate a recognition mindset throughout the company.
7. Measure success by pulling recognition reports and reviewing badge usage. Make adjustments to your strategy based on results.
Over time, you'll start to see a noticeable shift in behavior and culture. The company values will start to guide the daily work life and decisions of your employees, and their positive behaviors will be reinforced by recognition, which is a win for both the company and the employee.