BETTER BUSINESS
Do your values matter? by Charlie Budd
I
’ve been thinking a lot about values over the last few months and how they matter. A few weeks ago I advised my step-daughter to talk about how her values aligned with a potential employer’s when she went for an interview. I’ve put my values on my new website, because I want to do business with people who care about other people, and care about the planet...
Values are often not talked about, but they
brought up, or particular experiences in our
We will also choose our clients. You may
can have a big impact on people’s
lives. While it’s interesting to delve into the past
subcontract to a builder who pays on time and
behaviour at work, and personally. Values
to figure these things out, what’s most
pays well, but they ask you to cut corners and
can really affect our happiness and the
important is how we exhibit our values.
you’re really not okay with that. There are
success of our businesses.
I can remember my Dad once being three
times when we need to stand by our guns and
We all make important decisions based on
hours late picking me up from school, and
do what we think is right, do what aligns
what we perceive people’s values to be; whether
perhaps that had an impact on me always
with our own values.
it’s who we vote for, who our friends and
wanting to be on time. Being on time shows you
partners are, or who we do business with.
care about other people’s time and their lives.
So what are your values?
issues are very important to me. I used to be a
We’ve all got values, even if we’ve not
wildlife conservationist, so I’ve made that clear
help you get more work, and the kind of work
clarified them or written them down. What’s
on my website, and I know that’s resonated
you want, and they are both about storytelling.
really important to you every single day? Is
with some of my customers.
Another example is that environmental
it family? Being on time? Conscientiousness?
Values and the power of storytelling There are two ways in which your values can
The first is the stories you tell, and the second
You’ll have your own values - what are they?
Being reliable? Integrity? Do you contribute
is the stories people tell about you. The stories you tell are whatever you put on
Who do you want to do business with?
your website, your social media, your leaflet,
Who we buy from and who buys from us isn’t
yourself, how tidy your kit looks. Everything
other people can create clearer and healthier
just a case of money. We don’t only choose the
you present to the outside world tells people
relationships, whether they’re personal or at
cheapest suppliers, we choose those who
what kind of person, and what kind of
work. People know where they stand when you’re
supply decent products, who deliver on time,
tradesperson you are.
clear about your values in how you behave,
who charge a fair price, who give honest
There are also the stories your customers tell
what you say, and what you put online.
advice, and who will rectify mistakes quickly
about you – the referrals, did you turn up on
without quibbling.
time, do a good job, were you professional,
to particular charities? Is the environment important to you? Making these things clear to yourself and
Of course, you do have to be careful and somewhat selective at times, in case your values are at odds with other people’s values. This can be especially true when it comes to politics and religion.
how your vehicle looks, how you present
pleasant to have on their property? Your values and how you exhibit them creates your brand, and it’s your brand that will get you the work you want, but perhaps most importantly, behaving according to our
Why do you hold your values?
values are a crucial part of how happy we are with our work, in our relationships and in life.
There will always be
When we are living and working in a way that
a reason why we
aligns with our values, it can be deeply
hold the values we do.
satisfying. As Shakespeare wrote “to thine own self be true.”
Perhaps it’s how we were
Want to learn more? Find me at www.chinbadgermedia.co.uk
/chinbadgermedia 26
@chinbadgermedia
@ChinBadgerMedia
charlesbudduk
