Well, before we answer that question let’s first define what core values are. Core Values are the beliefs or attitudes that define what your companies driving forces are as well as highest priorities. These values are the guiding principals that define your company and its culture.

Core values are essential to not losing sight of what and how you do what you do. These are the values that create customer loyalty as well as allow employees to understand the direction of your company so they can better contribute.

A great question to ask when determining what your core values are is,

“What do we want outsiders to think and know about our company and how we deal with customers and conduct business.”

You can break down this question into three different parts, which will help you to look at these guiding principals from several different perspectives.

1) The first part of the question is, “what do we want outsiders to think and know about our company.”

2) The second part of the question is, “what do we want customers to know about how we deal with them.”

3) The last part of this question is, “what do we want people to know about how we conduct business.”

Most companies address these three areas, the identity of their company to the general public, how they handle customers and how they conduct business by establishing anywhere from four to ten core values on average.

By addressing these three areas you are setting the barometer for your organization. Effective organizations not only define these values in a clear, concise way but they also help to foster these values within their organization amongst their employees. In order for these values to stick and identify your company, your companies’ employees and your companies’ culture the following must happen:

1) Have your core values clearly written and visibly posted in a public place for employees to see. Some companies also post these values for their customers to see as well.

2) Values should be modeled on a daily basis in the way business is conducted both internally with other employees as well as those not in the organization.

3) Give recognition and/or reward those who embrace the companies’ values and consistently model them.

4) Organizational goals must be rooted in the companies’ values. If this does not happen then there will be confusion and lead to employees feeling misguided.

5) Hire individuals whose personality and goals are congruent with your companies’ core values.

Lastly, lets quickly look at some examples of values:

Accuracy, committed, confident, courageous, relevant, dedicated, dependable, discipline, generous, honesty, individuality, integrity, loyalty, optimistic, persistent, reliable, responsible, service, unique and teamwork

There are many paths to get to the end goal. The key is getting to the end goal. This will aid you and get you started in the right direction to thinking critically about your companies’ values.

“Hi, my name is Jenny Koreny and just last week I came home to find my apartment had been ransacked. I was in utter disbelief and several emotions ranging from fear to anxiety to shock quickly came over me. After all I was home just to grab a quick bite for lunch and this is what I found. Now I know unfortunately this isn’t necessarily out of the ordinary, but what concerned me the most was that they stole my Macbook which is what I use exclusively to run my side business, Koreny Designs. I build websites and do graphic design so to lose my computer left me feeling sick to my stomach!

All of my work for all of my clients was on that computer as well as my financials and other very personal information. As you could imagine I was overtaken by a sense of, “what do I do next?” That leads me to what happened next…

Two of my good friends, who also happen to be business owners who heavily use their computers to conduct their business came to me with a solution in the midst of what I saw as a loss. The suggestion had me again finding hope and being optimistic rather than angry and pessimistic!”

Here is where Lend a Hand comes in! We here at A2B Concepts truly believe that with a common goal and greater good we can overcome loss and make a lasting positive impact in the lives of those around us! This is where you get to be a part of that and get involved!

You have read the story of what happened to one of our dear friends and now you have the CHOICE to make a difference by lending a hand!

Common Goal: $2500 raised for Jenny to get a Macbook and some of the software she used for graphic design and website building. Now to some, this may seem like a lot of money, but if we all use the power of our networks both online and offline this number becomes much smaller to manage!

Incentive: If you choose to donate Jenny is willing to offer a discount on what she would normally charge for design work. She knows just how valuable money is and is incredibly thankful that you would take time to read her story and choose to donate to this cause.

Thank you all for your thoughtful consideration and willingness to lend a hand and donate!

The difference is…ENGAGING those people who are following you on Twitter and those who are your friends on MySpace and Facebook!  The reality is that technology is truly making the world a smaller place so the potential to know what Ashton Kutcher (@aplusk) is doing every waking moment is a reality.

So what does all of this mean to you?  Well, as a business owner, networker, social media enthusiast or marketer the ability to capitalize on the Web 2.0 movement is key.  To help you out I have comprised a list of 3 quick and easy tips to capitalizing and engaging with people through Web 2.0 and truly developing your network not just add numbers.

1. Update often: when using Twitter or Facebook the status update or 140 character, what are you doing, is a great way to connect with people?  How you ask, well it allows people into your world even at a glimpse.  It allows followers into your thought process and into your life.

 

2. Update from the heart: This doesn’t mean that you need to update incredibly deep thought provoking things, all this means is that you need to update about things interesting to you or things that matter.  Not many people care about what ham and cheese sandwich you just ate unless it is leading into a question or engages your followers into a topic of discussion.  

 

3. Respond to others: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  Don’t expect people to always respond to you and provide feedback unless you are willing to take the time and do the same.  The more you are willing to tune into others lives and provide feedback the more likely people are to tune into yours.

So, that’s it!  By no means is this a comprehensive exhaustive list, but this will definitely get you headed in the right direction!  Just three simple things that you can start doing now if you’re not already, that are sure to help you truly connect and engage with people through social media. And who knows, it just might lead to more friends and followers, but it will for sure deepen that relationship between you and your friends/followers!  

When you spend time growing and developing those connections, people will be more apt to pay attention to any new updates you may send regarding your business or needing there help.  They will also be more willing to spread the word about you or what your company is doing when they feel they know you or are comfortable talking about you.

On a side note, I hope the web site visits increase.  *crossing fingers*

We [John Orozco and Rickey Sanchez] are excited to help you out in any way.  It doesn’t matter if you are starting a business and need help with the forms, business plan or marketing plan, need a web site or want to redesign your existing one, or need a logo and business card.  We can do that for you!  Or better yet, we want to do that for you!  It is our sole passion to make sure you are successful.

So what are you waiting for?  What’s your A2B?