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Implementing core values in your business By Steve Burns, Capital News contributor Along with more than 35 technology CEOs and founders, I attended the second annual Academy of Technology CEOs (www.acetech.org) symposium held at Manteo Resort last Tuesday and Wednesday. This event was specifically designed to meet the unique needs of technology CEOs and founders and it certainly delivered. While this conference is targeted to the technology CEO, I enjoyed the parallels that are applicable to anyone leading a business. The topics ranged from developing a culture of execution, measuring the pulse of your company, implementing the right sales strategy, assessing your leadership, operating your company in survival mode, implementing core values and selling your company. One of the highlight speakers for me was Patrick Rooney, CEO of Kelsan Technology Corp. Kelsan's patented friction control solutions are used by transit and freight rail companies around the world to extend rail and wheel life, improve fuel efficiency, reduce green house gas emissions, and also reduce noise, lateral forces, and short pitch corrugations. Rooney talked about his struggles with the founder of the company having a different viewpoint and strategy than he did. The two eventually parted ways with Rooney taking over the leadership of Kelsan. He talked about how much mistrust there was in the Kelsan culture after he took over the company. “I always thought that it would be possible to earn the trust and respect of the employees but I knew that it would be an uphill battle. The fight for the company wasn't pretty so everyone was suspicious of me, which makes leadership very difficult.” While I have listened to many CEOs talk about implementing core values in their business, I found Rooney's discussion different. This was more about living your own personal core values as a way to implement them into your business. “Let's face it, your business will be more successful if it reflects who you are and how you operate. Don't try to be someone else—it simply doesn't work.” Here are the key points we can all implement in our businesses: • Lead with integrity and expect the same integrity from everyone in the business • Treat others with respect and dignity regardless of their position in the company—we are all valued members of a team • Refuse to make promises we know we can't keep just to close a sale or realize some short term advantage • Commit to no employee termination being a surprise to the employee or to others in the organization • Fix your mistakes immediately – don't wait for someone to notice • Take personal responsibility to live and apply your own personal values and the core values of the business in every transaction or interaction that the company takes on • Promote thinking outside the box beyond R&D to all areas of the business • Link the results of the company to the core values that you espouse. Reward the team on implementing the core values in their daily business life. This was an outstanding world class event, which would not have been possible without the leadership of the local advisory board and the sponsorship of leading companies and organizations such as Lang Michener LLP, Petraroia Langford Edwards & Rush , Al Stober Construction Ltd., Corporate Recruiters Ltd., the Canadian Institute for Market Intelligence , the Okanagan Science and Technology Council, QHR Technologies and the Economic Development Commission of the Regional District of the Central Okanagan. Special thanks to Craig Harte, CEO of BuildIt Systems, for his leadership as chairman of the Okanagan Advisory Board. I realize now that I underestimated the impact that this event would have on me and the other attendees. AceTech really helps connect CEOs that can empathize with each other. What I saw was a deep connection that no doubt molded friendships for life. In the words of Tom O'Flaherty, co-founder of Simply Accounting and Maximizer, “getting connected with other technology CEOs and founders has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.” I couldn't agree more. Steve Burns is the president and CEO of Burns Innovation Group Inc. |
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