There is a moment in many employee-owned companies when the story sounds complete. “We are employee-owned.” It is a powerful statement. It signals commitment. It suggests accountability. It tells customers, partners, and prospective employees that the people inside the business have something personal at stake.
The invocation of values is a hallmark of enterprise positioning. Yet on its own, a values statement means very little — and can actually do harm to a brand’s reputation and thus its worth. Without an ethos of integrity, the values statement is a mere device, not a system — instead of a way for an organization and its stakeholders to connect — instead of serving as the driver of product or service design and...
Just notice something. Think of a team you’ve been part of. Or maybe the one you’re in right now. And ask yourself, honestly: does it feel clear? Not organized. Not busy. But clear.
The Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl, as we all know. Numerous video recaps of the game, a wide variety of articles, and a lot of insights from observers, sports analysts, and Monday-morning quarterbacks focused on the Seahawks formidable on-field strengths.
The most important component of long-term sustainable advantage for any firm, regardless of its size, is its ability to attract, retain, inspire, and grow talent. Talent is the sustainable advantage. It is talent and only talent that creates and/or preserves every other form of sustainable advantage, whether it be innovation, new ideas, or superior service.
