Recently a former Apple employee told me that they had a list of rules for success printed on the back of the company badge. This badge everyone is carrying around all the time, and hence you can’t even avoid getting reminded of those rules every now and then. I very much like that idea.
Here are the rules I would use in the future. They are based primarily on the Apple rules, and I made some minor modifications.
- Let go of the old, make the most of the future
- Always tell the truth, we want to hear the bad news sooner than later
- The highest level of integrity is expected, when in doubt, ask
- Learn to be a good businessperson, not just a good salesperson or engineer
- Everyone sweeps the floor
- Be professional in your style, speech, and follow-ups
- Listen to the customer, they almost always get it
- Create win/win relationships with customers, partners, employees
- Look out for each other, sharing information is a good thing
- Don’t take yourself too seriously
- Have fun, otherwise, it’s not worth it
Having a set of rules for success, like the ones mentioned above, can be incredibly helpful. These guidelines help to remind us regularly of our goals and values as well as how we should interact with each other both professionally and personally. It is important that these rules are visible so they stay top-of-mind – whether it’s written on the back of your badge or posted around your office space. Ultimately, having clear expectations helps everyone work together more effectively towards common objectives.
Join our newsletter and become a part of our ‘Quality Management Club’, to not miss future blog posts.
