Becoming a "For Purpose" Business

As an organization we view ourselves as a for purpose organization or business.   We are always   

striving to find ways of improving our business model and continuously look to other industries to benchmark

I recently read “The Google Way” and a few articles on the Amazon and Zappos business models regarding managing a team and setting up a successful business structure.  As we transition to the next phase for our organization in our new Center for Pets, we felt that it was important to begin structuring ourselves more like a business, while still maintaining our mission. Thus, our journey to set up the Lynchburg Humane Society as a purpose driven organization began.

With all of this in mind, we decided our first step was to create core values for the organization. The new core values, as with any business, will guide us in our day to day operations and in our staffing decisions to better serve the community and the pets in our care. We would like to share with you our core values as we strive to help the pets, and our community, find happiness!

Core Values for the Lynchburg Humane Society:

Smile, Say Yes: We are building a culture of finding ways to say yes to each other and to customers/clients.

See it, fix it, do it, own it: We shouldn’t ignore problems or complain - we should fix it.  Talk is cheap, the solution is in the action, and so just do it!  Be responsible and own it. 

Speak: Speak for those that can’t speak for themselves; they depend on us to represent them.  Speak if you have a suggestion that can impact lives. Speak and communicate with each other and the community with respect and courtesy.

Be generous: Be generous with care, respect, your talents, and time. 

Play: An unexercised dog is cranky and poorly behaved. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.  Get your fun in and enjoy what you do! Work can be a fun place to be. 

Glitter: Glitter?  What? Well it is extraordinary, it delights, it sparkles, it makes an impact, and it sticks around longer than intended – just glitter. 

Have goals and smash them: As an organization we have goals, and we will work together to smash those goals.  As individuals we have goals, both personal and professional.  We would like to hear about our staff goals so we can help them smash their goals as well.  Mistakes happen, especially when you are pushing yourself, so strive to be different and be ok with failing once in a while. 

Assume the best: Trust one another and assume that most people are good and care as much as you do.  If you have doubts, ask and find out the answers, but always try and go to a place of trust and assuming the best first. 

Be authentic/transparent: As an organization we strive to be honest, open, and real. 

Be worthy of high esteem: This community has given us a gift; be worthy of that gift. 

   If you run a business or a nonprofit, I encourage you all to go through the process of developing and deciding who you are as a company and what you want to say to your community.  That process has truly helped us.  This is a plan of action and we realize we will make mistakes and fall down, we hope that our customers will realize we are learning and growing and striving to implement these core values to our best ability. In fact, just today, when my first instinct was to say no, I said to myself “find ways to say yes” and changed my decision on a problem.   

Just Glitter.