The knowledge: find out what you stand for

The knowledge - find out what you stand for

Discerning a set of organisational values can be a helpful way of building a sense of identity and staff cohesion. Just Recruitment Founder and Managing Director Jenny Wrightson shares tips on how to do it.

Values can’t be imposed on a workforce. They have to grow organically from what people perceive to be the character of the organisation. If you’re developing a values statement, it pays to be as consultative as possible.

It’s great to let your customers know what you stand for. But you need to deliver against that vision.  

Every organisation needs something to live up to. While values tend to emerge from what people think about their corporate identity, they function best if they have an aspirational element. They should set standards of behaviour that help people aim high. That’s the way to build a positive workplace culture.

Empty words don’t compel action. A clever PR consultant can develop a values statement in five minutes. But it won’t resonate with the workforce unless it rings true. Better to have a set of values that are messy, and don’t permit easy expression, than a set that your people don’t believe in.

People need space to understand who they are. If you’re serious about developing a set of organisational values, give your people the time they need to do it properly. Take them out of the office to think. Give them a change of scenery. Buy some decent coffee and cakes. Set up the right conditions at the start of the enterprise, and you’ll be far more likely to reap the rewards.

The knowledge - find out what you stand forValues help motivate your team by giving them a shared sense of purpose. If you know what you’re working towards, and what your employer stands for, you’re far more likely to give your best. That’s why values play such an important role in staff motivation.

Reminders are helpful, but don’t go overboard. Once you have your values distilled into some kind of statement, it’s worth sharing it throughout the organisation. Post it in the staff room or give people laminated cards to stick up near their desks. When they need a reminder of what they’re working for, they’ll have it readily to hand.

Don’t become complacent. A values exercise isn’t something to be done once then forgotten. You should revisit your values regularly, at least every three years. Be honest if you don’t think they’re accurate. Let your staff refine them. Every business changes. So why should your values stay fixed in time?

Build your customer offer around your values. It’s great to let your customers know what you stand for. But you need to deliver against that vision. With your values in place, you need to embody them throughout your organisation.

An objective eye can make all the difference. Sometimes it is hard to see the wood for the trees. By bringing in an external consultant or adviser, you’ll get a fresh perspective on your business. That will help you refine your self-understanding – though you need to be prepared to hear some hard truths if the process is to be truly worthwhile. 

Nobody’s perfect. So why should your business be any different? Don’t plan to fail. But do be realistic about what you can achieve. You may fall short of the ideals you set out in your values statement. But that only makes it all the more important to have one. Then at least you have a way of measuring performance.

Don’t forget the bottom line. Values are one of the means by which you optimise business performance. Don’t let them become a distraction. They’re a business tool: a way of saying “this is who we are” and “this is what we want to achieve”. 

 

If you enjoyed this article, you may also like:
Keeping pace with a fast-moving industry
Ten ways for an employer to engage their employees

 

Published: 10 February 2025
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2025

Jobs currently available

New job
Warehouse Supervisor
Sector: Warehouse
Salary: Competitive
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913695
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for a growing organisation, based on the outskirts of Colchester, looking to add another Warehouse Supervisor to their team.

The key purpose of the role is to work closely with the senior management team, supervising the warehouse and completing all associated tasks as expected.

Duties include:

  • Manage employees’ day-to-day activities to ensure they are meeting their goals and deadlines
  • Supervise employees and direct work as they undertake activities related to returns, re-works, order fulfilment and order management
  • Monitor employee performance to ensure they are meeting company standards
  • Work closely with the General Manager to monitor staff levels and adjust accordingly
  • Perform regular Quality Audits, documenting the results
  • Work closely with the Customer Account Manager to ensure any issues are resolved quickly and effectively with minimal disruption to both the customer and the company
  • Ensure all Health & Safety regulations and relevant laws are adhered to
  • Monitor depot housekeeping, ensuring a clean and safe work area is maintained
  • Work closely with the Senior Management Team to ensure that work tasks are completed on time and within budget
  • Supervise the training of new employees
  • Coordinate with colleagues on the retrieval of stock replenishment and outsourced stock

Key requirements for this role:

  • Have previous warehouse experience or proven experience with a leadership position in a similar role
  • Have excellent communication and problem-solving skills
  • Have proven leadership and employee management skills
  • Have knowledge of warehouse management systems (WMS)
  • Hold a valid Forklift Licence

This role is located in a great working environment with free parking available on-site.

Please note that due to the company’s location, you will need to have access to your own transport.

Working hours:

8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.
You are required to work 2 x Saturdays out of 4 (with a day off in lieu that week).

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Counterbalance FLT Drivers
Sector: Production and Stock Control
Salary: £16.87 per hour
Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JT-HAD-FD-0725
About the role

Just Temps seeks reliable and hardworking Counterbalance FLT Drivers for a hands-on role in a fast-paced environment, within a well-established food manufacturing company, based in Hadleigh, Suffolk.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 11pm to 7am.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Heavy lifting – regularly handling up to 50kg
  • Ripping and tipping of raw materials
  • Maintaining a clean and safe working environment
  • Working in a dusty environment with appropriate PPE
  • Supporting general production and manufacturing tasks

Role requirements include:

  • Comfortable with heavy lifting on a continuous basis
  • Previous experience in a factory setting is desirable
  • Good attention to detail and strong work ethic
  • Reliable and punctual

What’s on offer:

  • Competitive hourly rate
  • Consistent Monday to Friday hours
  • Long-term opportunity with a reputable local employer

If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and get stuck into a vital role in the food production industry, we want to hear from you.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Accounts Administrator
Sector: Accountancy, Banking and Finance
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913707
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a well-regarded and long-standing family business based on the outskirts of Colchester, looking to add an Accounts Administrator to their team.

Please note that due to the location, you will need access to your own transport.

Working hours:

Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm. 1 hour lunch break. The company can be flexible and offer a 4 day week.

Free parking is available on-site.

You must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working with Sage 50 accounts and Sage payroll, with the ability to work on your own initiative.

This role is focused within the remit of bookkeeping up to trial balance using Sage software.

Duties will include:

  • Ensure timely and accurate recording of financial transactions.
  • Daily financial operations, including posting of supplier invoices, reconciliation of supplier accounts, accounts payable management, creation of customer invoices, accounts receivable management, etc.
  • Perform bank/credit-card reconciliations, including a factoring banking account and Petty cash accounts.
  • Quarterly VAT returns and analysis. (including RTI submission to HMRC).
  • Prepare weekly aged creditors reports and process weekly supplier payments, run accordingly.
  • Prepare monthly aged debtors reports and provide credit control where required.
  • Maintain cashflow forecast for the Finance Director to review.
  • Process monthly payroll, payments, journal entries and year-end procedures (including RTI submission to HMRC).
  • Manage auto-enrolment pension contributions, submissions and legal returns to the pensions regulator.

Skills required include:

  • Significant experience in finance or accounting.
  • Proficiency with accounting software, Sage 50, and payroll.
  • Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet software such as Excel.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience in data entry.
  • Effective decision-making and problem-solving techniques within a finance environment.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Factory Operative (Nights)
Sector: Production and Stock Control
Salary: £15.27 per hour
Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JT-HAD-FO-0625
About the role

Just Temps seeks reliable and hardworking Factory Operatives for a hands-on role in a fast-paced environment, within a well-established food manufacturing company, based in Hadleigh, Suffolk.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 11pm to 7am.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Heavy lifting – regularly handling up to 50kg
  • Ripping and tipping of raw materials
  • Maintaining a clean and safe working environment
  • Working in a dusty environment with appropriate PPE
  • Supporting general production and manufacturing tasks

Role requirements include:

  • Comfortable with heavy lifting on a continuous basis
  • Previous experience in a factory setting is desirable
  • Good attention to detail and strong work ethic
  • Reliable and punctual

What’s on offer:

  • Competitive hourly rate
  • Consistent Monday to Friday hours
  • Long-term opportunity with a reputable local employer

If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and get stuck into a vital role in the food production industry, we want to hear from you.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.~
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more