(4 values - 14 categories)

Integrity

• Mission/Values/Vision Statement(s)

The company should have a stated, defined, published mission statement and/or values statement and/or vision statement.  Profits should not be the focus of any of these statements.  Such statements should be consistent with American values.

• Mission and Values in Corporate Culture

Values and principles must be clearly evidenced to be of high importance to corporate leaders.  The ideal company will include values training in new-hire or recurring employee training programs, transparent in its policies and the values of the company will be readily surmised by an objective observer of the company’s business actions and corporate conduct.

• Senior Management’s commitment to values

Public evidence will include, but not limited to, media or analyst interviews, public statements, publications, personal conduct, and corporate documents.

• Awards & Recognition

Awards and recognitions provide confirmation of a company’s commitment to its core values.

Humility

• Servant Leadership

Management should be seen more as a helping hand rather than merely an authoritative source.  Management policies should allow for and encourage employee input in decision-making.

• Teamwork

The company should use team processes in core corporate decisions-corporate strategy, community involvement, quality control, etc. Employee involvement is vital.

Diligence

• Fiscal Responsibility

The company should conduct its operations in a fiscally responsible manner with the goal of long-term growth and stability.  The company should compare favorably with other companies in its industry. The company should not assume excessive debt. Ironically, systematic and planned charitable giving is also an important part of fiscal responsibility.

• Quality and life enhancing products and/or services

Products and/or services should provide superior value and possess life enhancing characteristics.  The company should have standards in place to insure the continued provision of quality products and/or services.

• Continuous Improvement

The company should be committed to a process of continuous improvement.  The company should solicit and encourage customer feedback and act on trends and issues as identified.

• Environmental Responsibility

The company should have an Envoronmental Policy and be cognizant of and take steps to address any environmental concerns related to its industry.  Programs to reduce waste, emissions, recycle, and energy consumption are expected. The company should be a good corporate citizen.

Caring

• Support of Families

The ideal company will provide services for employees such as day care and childhood development services, generous family leave programs, adoption benefits, work/life balance programs, chaplain service, and other family-oriented programs and resources.

• Employee Relations

The company should be an enjoyable and satisfying place to work and provide highly competitive benefits to its employees including but not limited to, competitive wages, healthcare, retirement, education, and relocation.

• Community Relations

The company should be involved in and support programs benefiting the local and extended community.  Company involvement and support should not be solely limited to financial contributions but should also include a provision of personnel, facilities, and/or equipment.  The company should encourage employee participation.

• Customers/Suppliers/Vendors

The company should have a good relationship with and a desire to serve its customers, suppliers and vendors. The company should have a fair return/refund policy in effect and have a program to proactively address customer complaints and concerns.