Get All Access for $5/mo

When Employees Live a Company's Core Philosophies, Profits Follow A 'transfer of ideas' must be done with care so each individual understands and appreciates the firm's values.

By Joe Judson Edited by Dan Bova

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Sustaining a high level of success in a company as it matures can be the most challenging part of building a business.

Whether starting a company from the ground up, stepping in to revive an existing brand or managing a department inside of a large corporation, momentum is typically gained by having clear and concise messaging of a company's core philosophies. When these core philosophies and best practices are transferred successfully to every individual in an organization, that is when the true identity of a culture is built.

Related: Master These 4 Dimensions of Communication to Shape Your Company Culture

Company leaders cannot underestimate the value of culture. Those who don't value ongoing education or the transfer of best practices into their new employee base will find themselves with a watered-down culture and at risk of costly employee error.

As a company grows, it becomes more and more challenging to transfer these core ideals to each and every individual. However, companies that excel in doing so often realize sustainable success.

Look no further than Apple for an example of this "transfer of ideas" concept. When the late Steve Jobs stepped down as CEO of Apple, Wall Street responded negatively and even after record profits for many years, its stock was either down traded or positioned as a hold by the investment community. This angst and concern among the investor community was in large part because Jobs was the intellectual capital, the clear leader and the individual who originated so many of the company's core philosophies.

The two questions from investors became, "Had Jobs successfully transferred his passion and ideals to the remaining individuals?" and "Could leadership maintain the culture that had made it one of the most influential companies of the 21st century?"

Reaching every last person in an organization and making sure each one not only understands its core values, but also appreciates how the company was built, is a monumental task. This task, however, is critical to ongoing success. Implementing the "transfer of ideas" concept within an entire organization requires tireless employee training and consistent messaging, even when it seems monotonous.

Related: The 5 Essentials for a Corporate Brand Employees Live and Customers Buy

There are three things every leader should execute to ensure everyone within an organization understands and appreciates the company's history and foundation:

1. The leader must be visible and credible inside of the organization.

2. All messaging must remain clear and consistent.

3. The leader must own the communication around best practices, best ideas and organizational beliefs.

Passion in the delivery of any message cannot be undervalued. The leader of a company cannot simply trust those around him or her to deliver the organization's core messaging with the same level of passion as they do. The bottom line is that any organization will take on the identity and values of its leader.

What core values and philosophies do you want to transfer inside of your organization? Conversely, what beliefs do you not want to transfer? Before being quick to implement an idea, think it through and bounce it off your closest team members. Do they buy into and believe it will enhance the organization?

Once you decide on what's important, implement it with passion and consistency. Trust that an idea won't be ingrained into the fabric of the organization the first time it is presented. Getting people to adopt a philosophy is an ongoing task and it has to habitually trickle down from the top through everyday happenings including emails, conference calls, meetings and one-on-one interactions.

Leaders who place value in the "transfer of ideas" increase their odds of building a company with employees who have an aligned focus. Financial and cultural rewards will follow.

Joe Judson

President and CEO of Fusion Logistics

Joe Judson is president and CEO of Fusion Logistics, a transportation-solutions provider headquartered in Dallas. Fusion Logistics has over 4,000 worldwide weekly shipping customers servicing the small to medium business sector and exceeds $100 million in annual revenue. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Growing a Business

5 Reasons Why Time-Tracking Can Put Your Business in a Chokehold

More and more businesses are adopting time-tracking software to manage their operations, but is it all it's cracked out to be?

Starting a Business

He Started a Business That Surpassed $100 Million in Under 3 Years: 'Consistent Revenue Right Out of the Gate'

Ryan Close, founder and CEO of Bartesian, had run a few small businesses on the side — but none of them excited him as much as the idea for a home cocktail machine.

Franchise

The Top 10 Coffee Franchises in 2024

From a classic cup of joe to a creamy latte, grab your favorite mug and get ready to brew up success with the best coffee franchises.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Marketing

How Small Businesses Can Leverage Dark Social to Drive Word-of-Mouth Marketing

Dark social accounts for 70% of social media shares and is crucial for small businesses. Here's how you can tap into this hidden marketing opportunity.

Business News

Looking for a Remote Job? Here Are the Most In-Demand Skills to Have on Your Resume, According to Employers.

Employers are looking for interpersonal skills like teamwork as well as specific coding skills.