EMG Values Journal

The EMG Way. Bringing our values to life

Your part in our journey

Here at EMG, you’ll find we care a lot about our values - how we do things as well as what we do.

We call this The EMG Way - it’s about how we bring our values to life in working with our colleagues to deliver excellence in client care and legal services.

We want you to be part of this and help us on our journey. This journal is for you to do just that.

We would like you to keep an eye out for when you see your colleagues demonstrating any of the five EMG values. And there may be some instances (hopefully not many) when a colleague may not have demonstrated one of our values.

Jot them down in this journal, and when we meet for our discussion about values and The EMG Way in about three months’ time, we will discuss some of the things you’ve seen. This sort of feedback really helps us embed our values into everything we do.

The behaviours we want to encourage

We all manage our time and plan to service clients better.

We will always ask for help when needed.

We will be available for colleagues, letting them know when we’re able to help.

We will notice when people may be struggling and offer assistance where appropriate.

We try to understand the individual role/part everyone plays in delivering the success of the organisation.

We recognise new opportunities and share them with colleagues, so everyone gets the chance to succeed.

We proactively work together towards our common goals.

We are all willing to give up our own time and help clients or colleagues even when we may be under pressure.

We will work in the spirit of collaboration.

Cooperation

We pro-actively support our clients and each other. We are one team - we stand and fall together. We are supportive not only in achieving targets but also through emotional, financial and practical support.

I have seen Cooperation displayed when:

1. 2.

3.

I didn’t see Cooperation being displayed when:

1.

The behaviours we want to encourage

We will stand up for our colleagues.

We will always fight the client’s cause.

We are prepared to challenge inappropriate behaviour.

We will tell the client when they are in the wrong.

We don’t just say yes to the client but give difficult answers and advice too.

We always try to embrace change and new ways of doing things. We will take appropriate risks.

We have the courage to admit when we have done something wrong. We will show confidence in our own ability and position.

We are honest when we may not have the skills to do something.

We have the courage to ask questions and expect a helpful answer. There is never a stupid question.

Courage

We are ambitious and think big. We are fast growing – the superior service we offer means more and more clients want to use our services and referrers like sending their work to us, assured their clients will be looked after. We embrace change and seek to discuss, explore and consider opportunities.

I have seen Courage displayed when: 1.

I didn’t see Courage being displayed when: 1.

2.

3.

The behaviours we want to encourage

We will seek advice from others to ensure what we deliver is technically and legally excellent.

We will always keep clients up to date - both as to what can be done and by when.

We communicate effectively to manage clients and colleagues expectations.

We are one firm and seek to help in all legal issues the client may have.

We understand what other departments do in order to provide a holistic service.

Where we cannot address a client’s legal needs, we will seek to refer them to an appropriate contact and monitor that relationship for the good of the client and the firm.

We will review the performance of ourselves and others.

We are truly focused on client service and do not just pay lip service to it.

We understand who our clients are and why they matter.

We work as one team with the ultimate objective of client service in mind.

Excellence

We deliver excellence.

We aim to be the best we can be in our individual roles which together makes the firm the best at everything it does. We shine through excellent legal advice, finance, reporting and outstanding client care skills.

I have seen Excellence displayed when:

I didn’t see Excellence being displayed when:

1.

The behaviours we want to encourage

We will work with fairness, openness and honesty. We will offer training and share knowledge.

We demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the diversity of our clients and colleagues.

We will proactively raise our mistakes with our supervisor and discuss how to improve next time without any fear of reprisal.

We will not be embarrassed to share knowledge of our mistakes with colleagues so that we all learn for the future.

We are supportive of colleagues who make mistakes or struggle. We are dependable and follow through on our commitments.

We show respect to our colleagues and clients.

Integrity

We are open and transparent. We create an atmosphere of honesty and transparency in how we work with each other and with our clients. We give straight answers to questions and we share as much knowledge as possible. We never keep secrets for the sake of it. We admit our mistakes and use the experience to improve how we work.

I have seen Intregrity displayed when:

I didn’t see Integrity being displayed when:

The behaviours we want to encourage

We notice when people need an extra hand and offer help.

We get to know people personally and where appropriate check in with them on what’s happening in their personal lives.

We will try to improve difficult situations rather than getting dragged into complaining and fueling a downward spiral.

We always tailor our responses to someone’s gripes.

We notice the difference between when someone is whinging/getting something off their chest and a real cry for help.

We share knowledge/opportunities.

We try to ensure others get job satisfaction.

We listen, encourage participation, and allow people the time to be heard.

Kindness

We value people, communities, having fun and being happy. We create an environment where people enjoy coming to work and gain satisfaction from working as one team to provide the best possible service for the client and each other.

I have seen Kindness displayed when: 1. 2.

3.

I didn’t see Kindness being displayed when: 1.

And by living our values through the EMG way, this is how our clients describe us:

Thank you for taking the time to consider the values of EMG Solicitors and how we live them.

We hope you have a very long and successful career with us.