core values

Values that define the essence of what a company stands for. A company usually has between three and ten core values. Core values act as a reference point for individuals within an organization, and might include qualities such as responsible, ethical, honest, innovative, and pioneering. Often a company's values are exhibited in the company's offices or headquarters, or they may be printed on a card that employees can carry with them.

Many companies have corporate values from the outset. Companies that have not expressly stated their values can conduct an exercise to ascertain them. Commentators, such as British business writers Stephen Coomber and Des Dearlove, authors of the report on core values, ‘Heart and Soul’, are divided on whether it is possible, or desirable, for a company to change or reinterpret its values.