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

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Marketing Engagement Executive
Sector: Marketing, Advertising and PR
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC20
About the role

Just Recruitment has a fantastic opportunity for a dynamic and results-driven Marketing Engagement Executive to join an exciting company based in Ipswich.

Reporting to the Marketing Manager, you will be required to create and deliver across all aspects of the marketing mix and client engagement programmes. This role requires a self-motivated team player with a can-do attitude who works well in an extremely busy environment. You should be professional, articulate and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills combined with the confidence to deal with people at all levels, both internally and externally.

You must be able to demonstrate a strong record of achievement in successfully developing, improving, and implementing all forms of marketing engagement across multiple platforms, collateral materials and content-driven marketing.

Duties include:

  • Work with a full understanding of the importance of maintaining the corporate brand.
    Create and deliver marketing activities in accordance with the company marketing plan.
  • Deliver all forms of marketing engagement campaigns and events, measure effectiveness and propose improvements based on outcomes and associated metrics.
  • Plan and deliver physical and digital exhibitions, events, internally-focused training videos and externally-focused client knowledge tutorials, bring online the delivery of live-stream events.
  • Assist in the delivery of PR programmes to match the company's marketing focuses.
  • Work with creative agencies, designers, suppliers, and providers to maintain the corporate brand within their deliverables.
  • Work with the marketing team in the development of collateral and content for presentations, videos, and other multimedia activities.
  • Liaise with the external sales team and product development managers to ascertain appropriate messages, projects and products suitable for external and internal promotion.

Key experience required includes:

  • A minimum of three years' experience in a marketing role.
  • Proven experience in maintaining and delivering marketing and client engagement strategies to meet company objectives.
  • Advanced knowledge of platforms and applications such as E-mail campaign and automation software (MailChimp), CRM and CMS platforms, as well as creative applications such as Photoshop, PowerPoint, and video editing software.

Hybrid working is available after successful completion of the probationary period (min. of 3 days in the office, up to 2 days at home).
Hours: Monday to Friday (9:00am - 5:00pm).

 

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

 

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Trainee Commercial Manager
Sector: Purchasing and Merchandising
Salary: Discussed on application
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Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
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Just Recruitment is recruiting for an ambitious Trainee Commercial Manager to join our client’s supplier negotiation team.

Based in Colchester, you’ll play a key role in purchasing, pricing, and supplier communications, gaining valuable experience within a rapidly expanding national business.

Working hours 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday - 30 minutes lunch break.
23 days holiday plus bank holidays.

Duties will include:

  • Supporting the Commercial Management team in negotiating purchasing agreements and maintaining supplier relationships.
  • Assisting with pricing queries from managers and estimators across the business.
  • Collaborating with the Product File team to help maintain accurate pricing and product information.
  • Working directly in our Profit Centres to gain valuable experience of the industry and how to run a profitable business.
  • Identifying new product ranges and suppliers that will provide future-proofing for the years to come.
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You will have a strong interest in business, purchasing or negotiation. Any experience in related fields would be a bonus, but is not considered essential.

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

 

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Driver/Warehouse Operative
Sector: Warehouse
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC19
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Just Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a growing organisation based in Ipswich that is looking for a Driver/Warehouse Operative to join their team.

You will be responsible for covering East Anglia and making 10 to 20 drops per day.

Duties include:

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Hours: Monday to Friday, 06.30 - 16.30.

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.

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Customer Account Coordinator
Sector: Customer Service
Salary: £30,000 - £32,000 per annum
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913733
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with a growing business on the outskirts of Sudbury to recruit a Customer Account Coordinator to join their established team.

The key purpose of this role is to deliver efficient, commercially focused customer service to both internal and external customers. This includes managing order acceptance and invoice processing in line with business and customer requirements, and working closely with teams across Sales, Production, Accounts, Quality Control, Regulatory, and Distribution to ensure customer expectations are consistently met.

Key duties include:

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  • Providing timely responses to internal and external customer requests and enquiries, for example, order status requests, order amendments, transportation delays, etc.
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Key requirements for this role:

  • Minimum 3 years’ experience in customer service
  • An open-minded, flexible attitude to meet the requirements of the business
  • Able to communicate effectively
  • Proven numerical and analytical skills
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This is a full-time, site-based role working Monday to Friday.

Free parking is available on-site.

Hours of work: Monday to Thursday, 8:15am–4:30pm, and Friday, 8:30am–2:30pm.
Includes a 30-minute unpaid lunch break, totalling 36.5 hours per week.
Holidays – 26 days plus bank holidays.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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