Company Philosophy
Company Philosophy & Objectives
A company’s Vision and Mission should be the blueprint to transform into the company’s philosophy and objectives. These guidelines to operations will be evident in the company’s policies, structure and operations. Once these philosophies and objectives are set, remember to assess and update them yearly. Developing the company’s yearly goals for employees and overall company should come from these baseline objectives. Here are some sample thoughts towards setting up your company’s baseline philosophy:
Company vision needs to be clearly outlined and made aware to all employees.
Customer service should be based on long-term relationships, client education, client retention and exceeding expectations.
Provide a high level of arboriculture knowledge and skills.
Base recommendations on science, common sense and customer needs.
Manage client budgets responsibly and ethically.
Employees need to fit the ideals and characteristics of company.
Have a proactive approach to providing recommendations and services.
Do not over-diversify and focus on what you do best.
Have a commitment to environmentally conscious decisions.
Continual Improvement
A newly forming company will constantly be in a state of change. This will allow a new company to adapt and change quickly to take advantage of business opportunities or buffer from threats. The Big Oak recommends using your own form of kaizen, a Japanese philosophy of continual improvement.
Here are a few baseline examples of how kaizen can be utilized in a company’s philosophy and operations:
1. The company will be in a continual state of improvement.
2. The company will always be moving forward.
3. The company will appreciate success but will never be content with it.
4. The company will NOT tolerate complacency.
5. Company decisions will be geared towards remaining disciplined and consistent.
6. Employees that do not want to invest in themselves will not remain with the company.
7. Employees will have a “career path” with continual measurement & assessment.
8. Employees will have opportunity to have input in the company.
9. Employees that provide resistance to forward movement will be removed.
10. All aspects of the company will be formally assessed, evaluated and reviewed periodically with immediate improvement or adjustment to any procedure or policy.
Creating a Company Culture with a “Team of One” Approach
One mistake that I have commonly seen is that the goals of the company and employees do not align. Often employees are not aware of company goals or what the company is trying to accomplish. The best way to develop a truly solid company culture is to INCLUDE and ALIGN employees with the company’s goals and objectives.
Align individual employee goals with company vision by……….
1. Having all employees clearly understand the vision / mission
2. Identifying current roles for all employees
3. Identifying potential future roles for all employees
4. Identifying personal strengths
5. Implementing action steps to improve
6. Defining and measuring progress and success
7. Inspire and motivate employees to move forward continuously
8. Allowing feedback and input from employees
9. Creating a culture of employee buy-in and accountability
Start with an EXIT STRATEGY
It may sound a bit backwards, but always start a business with the end in mind. Whether the company will be passed on to children, sold to employees, turned into an ESOP or sold to another tree care company, knowing the end of the company will help develop the company that you want. Most people get into tree care because they are good with a chainsaw, like to climb trees or enjoy working outside. While these are OK reasons to entertain tree care, they are not reasons to start a company. Tree care skills will only get you so far. Knowing HOW to build a company and eventually what to do with it, are completely different things.
The BIG Oak says, “If you can’t imagine the end of your company, then don’t imagine the beginning”. Becoming a company owner is not the same as enjoying working outside. The pains of company ownership far outweigh the ability to wield a chainsaw.
