Dear Pam:
I commend you on recognizing the importance of communicating corporate
values. Here are a few suggestions:
Devote a different month to each corporate value. Lead each meeting with a
discussion of that month's value, and have each department make suggestions as
to what it can do to exemplify that value. Have "value thought for the
day" announced over the P.A. system or on voice mail or e-mail. At the
end of the period, have employees vote on which employee most exemplifies that
value. Call them the "Service Champion" or whatever the value is and
hold a meeting announcing their election and why he or she demonstrates that
value. Then ask them to be responsible for a one-year period for that value in
the work place. Give them free rein as to how they will champion that value
and support their suggestions, recommendations, etc. Or have them appoint
Value X ambassadors for each department. Each year, hold new elections and
appoint new champions and ambassadors.
Print your values on T-shirts, on a plaque in your lobby, in your employee
newsletter. Have "recite the value" pop quizzes where a costumed
person approaches random employees and asks them to recite the values. Each
person that does so correctly will get a prize (movie tickets, latte
certificates, etc.) When people are enjoying themselves, learning improves.
At each quarterly meeting, recognize the accomplishments of the value
champions and ambassadors, and highlight any noteworthy achievements along
those lines.
In short, have fun with it. Good luck, Pam. Let us know how it goes.
About the PowerHomeBiz.com Guide:
Yvonne
Buchanan is a 20-year veteran of public relations, marketing and advertising.
She teaches public relations courses online for career changers, freelancers
and students through The PR Academy