What makes successful companies unique?
Each human-being has a set of values. That is what make us different and adds to our uniqueness. Everyone around us, all people we see, either we know them or not, has a particular set of values and beliefs. However, they are hidden for the most part. For example, a person sitting next to you in the metro has values and beliefs, yet it is tough to know them until he/she starts talking or interacting with you. Human language, communications, actions, and interactions are symbols that communicate their values, thoughts, and beliefs.
This formula can be used in regards to corporates, agencies, and workplaces in general. Companies, businesses, and entities also have set of values that differentiate them from others. As personal values impact people’s life and performance, company values affect not just the business but its employees and users/consumers as well.
Often companies and agencies create surveys to ask their users, clients or even their employees what to do to be more appealing, liked, or used. Such strategy is great: considering users’ input to improve. However, it also means “we are willing to change, so you like us more.”
A corporate, agency and workplace that is built based on high values and belief system will never change to be more likable. Instead, they invite and encourage users and employees to adopt their values. Let us take a look at Apple’s values for example. Following quotes are from Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.
- We believe that we’re on the face of the Earth to make great products.
- We believe in deep collaboration and cross-pollination of our groups, which allow us to innovate in a way that others cannot.
- We believe in the simple, not the complex.
- We don’t settle for anything less than excellence in every group in the company, and we have the self-honesty to admit when we’re wrong and the courage to change.
- We participate only in markets where we can make a significant contribution.
- We believe in saying no to thousands of projects so that we can focus on the few that are truly important and meaningful to us.
Anyone with a little knowledge of psychology can see how these quotes Communicate high values. Apple sees itself being used all around the world (face of the Earth), aims to make “significant contribution”, works to simplify life, its work ethic includes creating group rather than authoritative relationship with employees, and has the courage to say “no to thousands of projects” in order be able to focus and be best at one thing at the time.
Has anyone ever heard of Apple’s survey that would help the company become more “likable”? NEVER.
The reason is Apple was built based on values. The success of delivering such values made it a company that people can trust and more importantly feel honored to join the user’s crowd or the workforce.
More important than having such clear and easy to understand values, Apple’s made sure to keep its word. In another world, Apple’s created an authentic relationship between its users and employees.
Companies, corporations, businesses, and all other agencies and entities that are built on core values need very little to make people like them. Individuals who share same values like simplicity, global vision, and selectivity easily join Apple without much marketing, and once they do, they are customers for life.
If you are interested in starting a business, movement, entity or even family, think about your values and communicate them because at the end of the day your values impact your goals and your strategies.
Remember “your vibes attract your tribes.”
