5 Unique Values Discovered At Large Companies
When researching the values of the Fortune 500 companies over the past few years, my goal was to uncover the most common values. Through this process I also discovered a few values that are quite unique.
Here’s a list of five values that are not only unique, but are also not on my list of 423 differentiating values.
- Boundarylessness at Stanley Black & Decker. I really like this value because it isn’t even a real word, yet it’s easily understandable by everyone. It’s one of the company’s seven values, with another unique one being Stretch.
- Heritage at Hormel Foods. This is one of six principles that makes a lot of sense for this company, given its 120+-year history (I enjoy their pre-cooked bacon!). Other unique principles here (as they refer to them) are Philanthropy and Stewardship.
- Humility at Kellogg’s. This is not a value one would expect to find in such a large company. However, in defining this value the focus is on being open to learning and continuous improvement, which is not quite how I would have defined humility.
- Patriotism at SpartanNash. As one of the company’s eight values, Patriotism makes a lot of sense since this food retailer and distributor also serves the U.S. military, both at home and abroad.
- Velocity at Avaya. This is one of five values listed in the company’s Code of Business Conduct (but surprisingly not on their website). It’s definitely a unique and different way of focusing on speed.
I love helping organizations identify their differentiating values. Most of the time it’s about finding the right qualities to describe the unique culture and/or what the organization delivers to its customers and other key stakeholders.
But sometimes it’s about finding a unique and creative way to express the values overall.
Values Expressed in a Creative Way
Here are four companies that express their values in unique and creative ways.
Assurant express their four values in a very memorable way:
- Common Sense
- Common Decency
- Uncommon Thinking
- Uncommon Results
Liberty Global succinctly articulates their five values:
- We love what we do
- We do what we say
- We constantly innovate
- We get things done
- We work as one!
Mattel’s values reflect four of the common values, yet beautifully highlight their differentiating value of Play.
- Play Fair
- Play Together
- Play with Passion
- Play to Grow
Republic Services must love alliterations as their five values all start with “R”.
- Respectful
- Responsible
- Reliable
- Resourceful
- Relentless
Expressing values in a creative way makes it easier for employees and other stakeholders to remember them, which in turn means they are more likely to be applied. That’s when the real difference is made.
