Back to Fundamentals. A Change in Blogging Strategy.

If you have been following my blog for any length of time, then you know I post a new blog every weekday – that’s 5 posts a week, 52 weeks a year. And I’ve been doing this for over two years now. In fact, this post is #555.

Well, it’s a new year and it’s time for a change.

Now, I’m not someone who believes in making changes just for the sake of change. But I have discovered 24 hours in a day are not enough to get done what needs to be done – at least by me. So it’s time to shift the volume of posts made here.

What’s the reason you ask?

I need to finish an important research project on fundamental values.

Researching Corporate Values

Over the past few months I have been working on an exciting research project – analyzing and comparing the core values of corporate America.

For a long time now, I have come to recognize there is a common set of values shared by most – if not all – businesses. You likely recognize many of these, such as: Integrity, Excellence, Innovation, and Teamwork, to name just a few. So I decided to investigate and compile a list of all common values embraced by businesses, regardless of industry.

So far, I can say there is definitely a common set of values shared across all businesses.

The baseline for my research is an analysis of the core values of Fortune 500 companies. Over the past few weeks, I’ve even written about a few of these, including:

• Colgate and the value of Care
• A comparison of 9 companies and the value of Innovation
• A look at the value of ambition in business
• The Kellogg Company and the value of humility
• A look at Bayer AG and the value of flexibility

While this research project is very interesting, it’s taking much more time than I initially expected. So I’m making it a priority for 2014.

I firmly believe the results of my work will prove worthwhile, and I see great value for business leaders to have a framework for defining their fundamental values. Sometimes we need to just stop and be sure we have the fundamentals right before we focus on what makes us different.

The Importance of Fundamental Values

As I outlined in an earlier post (and also in my eBook), there are two different types of values:

• Fundamental Values – define acceptable behavior. These are the guiding principles, or moral code of conduct for an organization, and should rarely be changed.
• Differentiating Values – define unique qualities. These distinguish what makes an organization unique, or separate it and/or the brand within a competitive space, and can be changed over time.

To-date, my focus has been on helping organizations – as well as individuals and couples – identify and define their differentiating values. Now I see the need to help organizations also define their fundamental values. Thus the purpose of my current research, which will ideally culminate in a book that will be a useful resource for business leaders.

So, what does this mean for you? A change in my blogging strategy.

New Blog Strategy

Going forward you can expect me to post 2 to 3 times per week. My topics will primarily focus on business/marketing and marriage. I also plan to continue posting videos with Values Quotes, but less frequently than in the past.

If you have questions regarding my research on Fundamental Values, please send me an email (to Robert@FergusonValues.com). If you have a special request on a specific value you would like me to highlight – for business or marriage – send me an email. I’d love to hear from you. (Really!)

Lastly, I would like to express my deep appreciation for your continued support of this blog, your encouragement to keep writing, and for your suggestions on topics. While I thoroughly enjoy the research and writing, it is far more rewarding knowing others find value in it too.

Wishing you a successful year ahead!

Robert