Integrity: How Does Your Company Stack Up?

by Compass Cleaning Solutions • July 12, 2016
Compass Cleaning Solutions

Everyday we turn on the news to find that some executive or some business has swindled, embezzled or cheated someone. We indignantly proclaim that we would never do such a thing. Yet, given the right set of circumstances and pressures all of us might find a reason to do the very same thing. The reason is that, most people, and especially businesses, operate without clearly defined core values before the crisis hits. Most employees of most businesses would be hard pressed to give you the core values of the company they work for. As a result when a difficult situation arises, people will act in the moment and not always in the best interest of the company or themselves. A wise person, or business, will establish their values before entering the fray.

As a commercial cleaning company, we decided from the beginning that Integrity must be a part of our core values. We define integrity for the purposes of our business as, “Consistent actions, values and methods of honesty, truthfulness and transparency”. The dictionary defines it as, “adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.” Isn’t that what we all look for in a company we do business with? The trouble comes when we assume honesty and transparency and consistency that isn’t clearly defined or agreed upon by those we are doing business with.

What does this mean for our vendors and clients? Simply put, we take responsibility for our mistakes and fix them, even when it costs, because it is the right thing to do. It means we treat every client as if they are the only client. It means that we adhere to all agreements, vendors and clients alike. It means, ‘Doing What You Say You Will Do, When You Say You Will Do It’. In short, integrity will build trust between two parties and that trust will translate into a quality business relationship that is good for both parties.

How about your organization? Do your employees have a clear sense of what your company’s core values and beliefs are? Are your actions toward clients and vendors consistent with your public declaration of your core values? Do your clients and vendors know what your core values are? Is integrity one of those values? If you have not done so I would challenge you to define both your personal and corporate values; write them down and tell others what they are. Public accountablility will help you remain consistent.
Is this too much to ask of business today? Maybe. But as one of our team so often says, “You can’t do good business with bad people”.