The 10 Core Values Your Company Needs

Some of you may have seen the article I wrote about Zappos for VegasChatter.com .

One of the main concepts that stuck with me after I walked away from the Zappos experience was their 10 Core Values. Just to refresh your memory (in case you haven’t memorized them), they are:

  1. Deliver WOW Through Service
  2. Embrace and Drive Change
  3. Create Fun and A Little Weirdness
  4. Be Adventurous, Creative, and Open-Minded
  5. Pursue Growth & Learning
  6. Build Open & Honest Relationships With Communication
  7. Build a Positive Team and Family Spirit
  8. Do More With Less
  9. Be Passionate & Determined
  10. Be Humble

Having been a key member of many a tech company, I recognize these 10 core values as crucial to launching and sustaining any company.  They address the “deal killers” that bring down even the strongest of companies.

To be successful, you must  focus on the customer.  Deliver service beyond the customer’s expectations.

You must also recognize that change is good. Be prepared for, embrace, and do your part to create it.  Keep an open mind to new things, and explore them.  Bad ideas are only the precursor to good ones.

Do more with less.  I really can’t put this any better.  Be faster and more efficient than your competitors.

And most important, be humble.  The humble person is always striving for to improve themselves.  The egomaniac thinks they’ve already reached the top.

I even like the name. “Core Values”. When I hear that, I think simplicity. I think basic. I think that above all else, these are the things that we hold true.

If you happen to find yourself in Las Vegas, I highly recommend that you take a tour of Zappos.  These tours are offered Monday through Thursday three times a day, and are free.  Zappos will even come pick you up at your hotel.

You may not find everything that they do at Zappos applicable to your company, but you’ll surely walk away with something that will make your team better, stronger, and more competitive – and maybe happier too.