"Built on Values," by Ann Rhoades with Nancy Shepherdson, Jossey-Bass, 229 pages, $27.96 (nf)
Ann Rhoades packs a plethora of time-tested information about how to create positive corporate cultural change into her book "Built on Values."
Referencing her experience with successful businesses such as JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Juniper Networks, Doubletree Hotels, P.F. Chang's, Starbucks and Loma Linda University Medical Center, Rhoades shares her "Values Blueprint" approach to creating corporate cultures that reward and celebrate values-based company standards.
This is not a one-size-fits-all approach to increasing business productivity. As the title indicates, it is a values-based approach. To successfully implement a "values blueprint," a company must take a hard look at what principles and behaviors it values — and then live those values at every level.
Rhoades suggests that the best way to increase productivity and decrease turnover is to work with representatives from all levels of a company to develop a set of principle-based standards. All decisions at every level, from hiring to compensating and recognizing employees to interacting with clients, are then made based upon these principles.
In his foreword to the book, Stephen R. Covey states, "In order to be successful in a volatile world, you must unleash the goodwill and creativity of your people. You must organize your culture in a way that will help your people achieve great things without constant supervision from above.
"Set this up right, and people will astonish you regularly with their great ideas and ability to take your organization to a higher level. 'Built on Values' shows exactly how to organize your culture to make that happen."
Along with Covey's foreword, the 229-page book includes nine information-packed chapters, an 18-page "Leader's Toolbox," end notes, references and an index.
The Leader's Toolbox includes helpful samples of surveys and forms as well as examples of interview questions and values blueprints, which was developed by companies Rhoades has worked with, and which she references throughout the book.
Business leaders, current and aspiring, would find this an informative and helpful guide to upgrading, totally changing or beginning a company environment based on values that are lived, not just talked about.
The layout and design could be a little more visually easy to look at by including more white space and a few more graphic illustrations or photos.
Rosemarie currently lives in a 100-year-old house on Main Street, Springville, Utah. She recently finished work on a documentary for BYU-TV.