An Idea A Day

VALUES ESTABLISH YOUR VALUES Jonathan Gifford

AN ORGANIZATION NEEDS a vision and a strategy, but it also needs a value system. These values will affect every aspect of corporate culture, and can ensure that every employee understands how he or she is expected to behave in any circumstance.

The idea

The Texas-based American low-cost airline, Southwest, established itself on a platform of exceptional customer service. Its former president, Colleen Barrett, explains how the company’s values are nailed to its mast: “Our mission statement is posted every three feet, all over every location that we have, so if you’re a customer, you’ve seen it. It’s ...