Thanks to Harry King (harryking30@gmail.com) for teaching us how to develop a value statement, as part of the Greer Chamber Community Commerce Convention.
How to Design your value statement
First, create three columns:
1. Things I do well (in business)
2. Processes I use
3. Things my clients need
- Take a few minutes to list a few of those things in each column. Be throrough. Don’t skip the processes!
“If you can demonstrate to me that you have a process to help me solve my problem, I have a whole lot more confidence that you’ll help me solve it right,” says Harry King. “You can only do so much with your skills and work ethic. The next level is process.”
After you have your value statement, try it out:
- Come up with your target audience.
- List the opportunities you can help them realize.
- List the processes you use to help them
A sample value statement:
“My name is Harry King, and I’m a professional Sherpa. I help guide people up their mountains. What is the toughest mountain you will climb today?” (the open “follow-up” question leads into conversation.)
The Dos and Don’ts of a good value statement
- Be sincere
- Be respectful of your audience
- Have a compelling hook
- Write and re-write your statement. It may take months or years to come up with the perfect statement, but you want it to come across naturally.
- Ask the question: “What’s in it for them?”
- Don’t wing it. Have a well-planned statement.
- Prepare several follow up questions.
Have you thought about adding some differing opinions to your article? I think it might enhance my understanding.
I think that is an interesting point, it made me think a bit. Thanks for sparking my thinking cap. Sometimes I get so much in a rut that I just feel like a record.