The missing element in your business success?…Your Credo

“Credo” is best defined as a Latin word which means “a set of fundamental beliefs or a guiding principle. For a company, a credo is like a mission statement that sets the guidelines for how the entire business should be run.

Today, having a Credo for your organization is more important than ever. When you’re a consultant, or a one-man (or woman) show, it is easy. Most adopt their own moral guidance; do right by people and do your best. If you don’t adopt this principle, your organization will likely fail. If you have no moral guidance in running your business, only the worst can happen.

What happens when your organization starts to grow? Most assume that your employees and independent contractors will have the same vision that you have. This is a big mistake, and without a Credo that is discussed, understood, and agreed upon by all parties, it will be impossible to grow your organization. The poor quality and inconsistency of service will overshadow any advancement that your company has striven to achieve.

One of the best Credos was conceived by the Johnson and Johnson Company and is well worth reading:

Johnson and Johnson Company’s Credo

“We believe our first responsibility is to our doctors, nurses, and patients, to mothers and fathers and all others who use our products and service. In meeting their needs everything we do must be of high quality. We must constantly strive to reduce ours costs in order to maintain reasonable prices; customers’ orders must be serviced promptly and accurately. Our suppliers and distributors must have the opportunity to make a fair profit.

We responsible to our employees, the men and women who work with us throughout the world. Everyone must be considered as an individual. We must respect their dignity and recognize their merit. They must have a sense of security in their jobs. Compensation must be fair and adequate, and working employees fulfill their family responsibilities. Employees must feel free to make suggestions and complaints. There must be an equal opportunity for employment, development and advancement for those qualified. We must provide competent management, and their actions must be just and ethical.

We are responsible to the communities in which we live and work and to the world community as well. We must be good citizens-support good works and charities and bear our fair share of taxes. We must encourage civic improvements and better health and education. We must maintain in good order the property we are privileged to use, protecting the environment and natural resources.

Our final responsibility is to our stock holders. Business must make a sound profit. We must experiment with new ideas; research must be carried on, innovative programs developed and mistakes paid for. New equipment must be purchased, new facilities provided and new products launched. Reserves must be created to provide for adverse times. When we operate by these principles, the stockholders should realize a fair return.”

As it is quite apparent, for ones business to reach its highest level of success, it is necessary to adopt a credo that is fair and attainable. This will allow your organization the greatest ease in gaining new customers and keeping them loyal to your brand.

Author Bio: Jeffrey Hartman has been CEO of BlueWater Marketing Group for over 12 years, and has over 20 years of marketing experience. We are an IT Advisory Member with NJAMHA. Our focus is on web development, marketing, and helping organizations stay healthy and grow. http://www.bluewatermarketinggroup.com

Category: Business
Keywords: business,business ethics,business advice,credo