Introduction
As we come to the final part of our Core Values Series, it’s time to shift focus from defining company core values to making them a living, breathing part of your corporate culture. In the first blog, we covered why core values are essential for business success. In the second, we discussed how to define values that resonate with your team and customers. Now, we’ll dive into how to turn your company’s core values from abstract ideas into actionable, everyday practices that drive engagement, loyalty, and growth. Plus, make your core values tangible by displaying them within the office using our beautifully handcrafted values displays, serving as constant reminders of what your company stands for.
Why Core Values Matter More Than Ever
In today’s business environment, core values are more than just words on a page or phrases on your website. They’re a blueprint for decision-making and behavior, a guiding force that attracts customers and keeps your team focused. According to a recent article by American Express,
“more than ever before, customers are looking to buy from companies that clearly state their values and prioritize ethical, social, and environmental objectives.”
Customers and employees alike want to engage with brands and businesses that embody a deeper sense of purpose. But how do you make sure your corporate core values are not only understood but truly actionable? Let’s explore a few strategies that will help you walk the talk and keep your company values alive and well in your organization.
Tie Core Values to Actionable Behaviors
The first step to making core values actionable is to connect them with everyday behaviors. It’s not enough to have a list of values displayed in the office or on your company website. Employees need to see how those values apply in real-life situations.
For instance, if “sustainability” is one of your corporate core values, what does that mean in day-to-day operations? Are you minimizing waste in production? Are you choosing eco-friendly packaging? At Smiling Tree Gifts, we live out this value by prioritizing sustainable practices in both our production processes and our packaging. These daily choices reinforce our commitment to protecting the planet, ensuring our values are more than just a promise—they’re an ongoing action.
Lattice.com notes, “Tying your mission and values to specific business goals and actions helps make those values feel more like real, actionable objectives.” This connection is what transforms core values from abstract concepts into behaviors your team can model every day.
Tip: Reinforce your values by sharing stories of how employees are exemplifying them in their work. These moments of recognition make your values real and relatable for the entire team.
Visual Reminders: Core Values Displays
One of the most effective ways to keep company core values front and center is through visual reminders. People are far more likely to embody and remember values that they see regularly. This is where tangible tools, like Smiling Tree Gifts' Core Values products, come into play.
Our Core Values Statement Display Block and Core Values Desktop Block and Tray Sets provide a beautiful and functional way to showcase your company’s values right on your employees’ desks or in shared office spaces. These customizable wooden gifts are not only a symbol of what your company stands for but also a daily reminder of the principles that guide your team.
These values displays serve as a subtle but powerful cue for employees to align their actions with your company’s mission. When team members see these visual representations of core values every day, it becomes easier to internalize and act upon them.
Recognize and Reward Employees Who Embody Core Values
“What gets rewarded, gets repeated.” This principle is essential for reinforcing core values in your corporate culture. Employees who see their peers recognized for living out the company’s values are more likely to follow suit. Recognition not only shows appreciation but also motivates others to embody those same values.
Consider implementing a peer recognition program where employees can nominate one another for demonstrating the company's core values in their daily work. A culture of recognition strengthens the connection between core values and everyday behavior, making it clear that these principles are not just ideals—they are expectations. As highlighted by American Express,
“A key component in implementing and reinforcing company values is rewarding those employees who exemplify the values in their day-to-day actions.”
Whether it's a shoutout in a team meeting, a monthly award, or even a special gift like one of our Core Values Display Blocks, rewarding the right behaviors ensures your core values stay top of mind.
Share Core Values with Your Customers
Your company core values don’t just matter internally—they’re a huge part of what differentiates your brand in the marketplace. Today’s consumers are more inclined to support companies whose values align with their own. This is why it’s important to share stories of how your company’s core values shape your actions and decisions.
Let’s take Smiling Tree Gifts as an example. Our values of sustainability, craftsmanship, and giving back are integrated into everything we do. We don’t just talk about sustainability; we live it by planting trees for every product purchased. We don’t just promise quality; we create heirloom gifts designed to last for generations. These actions, based on our values, attract customers who care about the same principles we do.
If you’re committed to community service, share the impact you’re making. If innovation is one of your core values, highlight how it’s driving your product development. Bringing your core values to the forefront of your marketing strategy helps build trust with your customers and makes your brand stand out.
Create Opportunities for Feedback and Discussion
A company’s core values shouldn’t be static—they should evolve as the company grows and as the world changes. To keep your core values relevant, it’s essential to encourage feedback from employees at all levels. Regularly revisit your values to ensure they still resonate with your team and support your current business goals.
Host quarterly meetings to discuss how your company is living out its values. Encourage employees to share examples of how the values have impacted their work, and allow space for suggestions on how to improve. By keeping the conversation going, you’ll create a culture where values aren’t just words but a dynamic force guiding your company’s growth.
Bringing It All Together
At the end of the day, making your company’s core values actionable and tangible isn’t just good for employee morale—it’s good for business. Strong core values align your team, attract loyal customers, and set your brand apart. By tying values to real behaviors, recognizing those who live them, and ensuring they are ever-present in both your workplace and your messaging, you’ll create a company culture that thrives.
At Smiling Tree Gifts, we believe in the power of tangible values. From our commitment to sustainability to our customizable Core Values Displays, we’re proud to help companies like yours bring their values to life every day.
Ready to make your company’s core values a part of your workplace culture? Explore our range of Core Values Gifts here, and let’s build a culture that’s as strong and enduring as the values you hold dear.
Sources
1. American Express - Why values are good for business
2. Cooleaf - 3 tangible ways to bring workplace core values to life
3. LinkedIn. Podger, Dimity - Three ways to bring your company values to life
5. Lattice - How to keep company core values relevant and tangible
6. Teak and Twine - Corporate gifts with company core values
