Expert Q & A: Creating an Effective Culture for Your Small Business

February 14, 2008 By

Expert Advice from Dr. J. Robert Beyster

Question:

How do you create a culture that attracts talented employees, motivates them to perform their best, and encourages them to stay with us and not jump to another company?

Answer:

Your company’s culture is very much a reflection of the values that you and your top management team live every day of the week. If you personally value and exhibit the kinds of values that attract, motivate, and engage talented employees, then these values will become a living part of your company’s culture. However, to ensure that every employee knows what this culture is, and knows what is expected, then it’s also a good idea to put your company values into writing.

According to Dr. J. Robert Beyster, founder of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and author of the book The SAIC Solution: How We Built an $8 Billion Employee-Owned Technology Company (John Wiley & Sons, 2007), formalizing a company’s values—in the form of a written credo—is an important step in achieving your goals of attracting, motivating, and retaining talented employees. Here is the credo that SAIC employed during Dr. Beyster’s years at the helm:

SAIC Credo

We, as Science Applications International Corporation employees, are dedicated to the delivery of quality scientific and technical products and services contributing to the security and well-being of our nation and the free world. We believe high ethical standards are essential to achievement of our individual corporate goals. As such, we fully subscribe to the following commitments:

To Our Customers

We shall place the highest priority on the quality, timeliness, and competitiveness of our products and services.

We shall pursue our objectives with a commitment to personal integrity and high professional standards.

To Our Fellow Employees, Present, and Prospective

We shall promote an environment that encourages new ideas, high-quality work, and professional achievement.

We shall treat our fellow employees honestly and fairly; and we shall ensure equal opportunity for employment and advancement.

We shall share the rewards of success with those whose honest efforts contribute to that success.

To Our Neighbors

We shall be responsible citizens, respecting the laws and customs of each community in which we live or conduct our business.

To Our Shareholders

We shall conduct ourselves so as to enhance and preserve the reputation of the company.
Consistent with the commitments expressed above, we shall strive to provide our shareholders a fair return on investment.

For further information, you can contact Dr. Beyster at www.beyster.com

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