Your list of core values is more than just a break room decoration.
If you have spent any time in the professional world, you have encountered concepts such as Core Values, Mission Statements, and Vision Statements. Even as a consumer, you may have seen such ideas represented on posters, reading materials, or advertisements. When organizations list their values or define their mission, their goal should be to establish principles that guide strategic planning, sustain a healthy internal culture, and encourage positive consumer interactions.
If you surveyed your team, how many people would be able to list the core values of your organization? This is not a litmus test for a good employee. The truth is they may already embody the most important values even if they can’t recite the whole list. However, the more your core values are communicated and reiterated among your internal team and consumers, the more likely those values will be practiced and appreciated.
The Most Common Core Values in Banking
In the banking industry, core values and mission statements are everywhere. To gain a better understanding of what values are most common, The Financial Brand analyzed 50 banks of various sizes and locations. Here are some of the most frequently listed values:
- Integrity
- Teamwork
- Excellence
- Commitment
- Honesty
- Respect
- Service
Among the banks reviewed, there was an average of 4.66 values per list. Some less common, but interesting values included Agility, Creativity, Knowledge, and Passion.
As you review or reconsider your own core values, you need to answer two essential questions: How do our values set us apart? and How do we embody these values?
Branded Spaces Should Demonstrate Your Core Values
If your organization is truly sticking to its core values, it should be clear to anyone who walks into one of your branch locations. NewGround works with financial institutions to embody core values within branded spaces through floor plans, interior design, environmental graphics, furniture selection, and more.
Consider your unique market. Identify how your organization stands out among its competitors. Craft a list of core values that truly speak to your organization and the people it serves. Then comes the hard part: demonstrate those values explicitly and implicitly. In other words, clearly tell your internal teams and consumer audience what your values are. And then execute those values through your branded spaces and consumer interactions.
If you want to imagine new core values or how to carry those values into your physical spaces, talk to us! From strategy to design to rollout, we help financial institutions develop strong core values that guide strategy and inform design decisions.
