In 2005 Polykemi launched the Going for Gold project. Together we formulated our vision statement for the future of Polykemi. The goal was to implement several measures to further increase employee engagement and accountability, while decentralizing the decision-making process at Polykemi. One important premise was for all employees to agree on shared values.
We set challenging but realistic goals that demand extraordinary efforts from both employees and the company. Everyone at Polykemi is completely convinced that we will achieve these goals, which will provide new opportunities and challenges while ensuring our future. We have made good progress with this new philosophy and working method. As always, we intend to work together to become better than ever.
Success requires shared values.
Values define our attitudes – to family, friends, politics and work; yes, even to life in general. Our values guide our conduct, thoughts and actions. Polykemi must have common positive values if we are to become a successful team. We have chiseled out five such values that have a single objective: the success of both the employee and Polykemi.
1) Commercial viability
Employee actions determine Polykemi's future.
Employee actions determine Polykemi's future.
Commercial viability requires a balance between pulling out all the stops to satisfy the customer on the one hand, while conserving the company's resources on the other. Success in this effort requires:
– Customer focus. We are here for the customer and must satisfy customer needs.
– Goal orientation. We must work toward common goals and visualize our role in the total picture.
– Cost consciousness. We must approach our work as though we own the business personally.
2) Responsibility
Test your wings.
Responsibility is positive, fun, stimulating and challenging. It is therefore only natural for Polykemi to establish the objective:
"We will be a company that grants responsibility and have employees who willingly accept it."
– Accept responsibility for the workplace, the job and yourself.
– Delegate whenever possible.
– Dare to tread on new ground, but learn from your mistakes.
– Keep your promises. An apparently minor mistake can have major consequences at a later phase.
3) Respect
Earn respect by treating others with respect.
To achieve personal growth, others must respect you. To gain such respect you must quite simply show respect. Or, in other words: the way you treat others is how others will treat you.
– Respect for colleagues. Recognize that sometimes others know better.
– Accept and follow decisions. By doing so, you show respect for the whole picture and the strategy.
– Listen to others. Assume that everyone has good intentions and wants to improve Polykemi.
4) Teamwork
Through teamwork, Polykemi can succeed at anything.
Teamwork and participation require helicopter vision – in other words, the ability to take any situation and see how you fit into the big picture, to determine the needs and requirements that must be met.
– Working together with our customers is our top priority. Always begin with what the customer wants.
– Be unpretentious in your relations with customers, coworkers, and suppliers.
– See the whole picture. Think about the demands and desires to be met.
– Get involved and make a difference. Your ideas are important. Make your voice heard.
5) Honesty
Dare to be honest.
One trait can make any relationship easier – honesty. While honesty may be painful at times, the alternative is far worse.
– Be clear, straight and honest, and you will encounter honesty.
– Dare to object. Object openly and constructively.
– Give both praise and criticism. Both are essential for success.
– Dare to reassess. Someone who listens and strives to improve can also reassess.