Principles operationalize corporate values so they matter

摘要

Increasingly, firms have recognized that key employees, those who can quickly understand and adapt to dynamic market changes and innovatively address customer needs, are critical assets. Some firms, such as Nike and WL Gore, recognized this trend early, realizing that financial success and competitive survival depends on winning the competition for talent. Early adopters of this view attempted to secure their talent needs by offering their employees extensive training, higher pay and more benefits. Forced to escalate the competition, leading firms soon changed the way they managed their employees, moving from command and control to empowering employees. Devolving decision-making powers to employees increased their motivation by making them feel more valued, and these firms increased their competitiveness, as front-line employees became more knowledgeable and were in better positions to make necessary strategic and operational adjustments in real time.