Core values are an important part of any business. For me personally, I like to approach them slightly differently than other companies by having two simple ideas. For the overarching idea, I like “be the best place to work and the best place to be a customer.” For the people values, which are the most important, I like “positive, self-starting, and supportive.”
Now, with the Atlanta Tech Village being a double bottom line enterprise having goals of helping enhance the Atlanta technology community while also being a for-profit enterprise, I want to have more descriptive core values that cover a wider range of items, while not being so numerous that they are easily forgotten.
Here’s a laundry list of ideas for core values for Atlanta Tech Village that I’d like feedback and input on from the community:
- Pay it forward
- Be scrappy
- Be lean
- Be respectful
- Be open and honest
- Don’t be annoying
- Never stop learning
- Share openly
- Value relationships
- Deliver on promises
- Treat people well
- Work hard, play hard
Core values become especially important with large coworking areas where people from different companies are regularly interacting, and a common standard has to be met. We need strong core values to create the best technology and entrepreneurial center possible.
What else? What core values do you like and what values would you add?
David Cummings on Startups 
Be Passionate.
I think value statements are most effective when they’re aspirational, rather than inhibitive. So, for “never stop learning,” I might rephrase it to “always be learning.”
I’m not entirely sure about “don’t be annoying.” Maybe, “be helpful.” Although, “pay it forward” sort of covers that.
These are great but you might want to simplify your list. Core values should be read offline a creed, that way they are say to stick to because you are reminding yourself. You can sum the list above into four easy to remember core values.
Vigor – Integrity – Reliability – Community
Vigor
– Be scrappy
– Be lean
– Never stop learning
– Work hard, play hard
Integrity
– Be respectful
– Be open and honest
– Don’t be annoying
Community
– Pay it forward
– Share openly
– Value relationships
– Treat people well
Reliability
– Deliver on promises
Hi David,
We connected over Twitter last week. I cover startups and startup ecosystems for Upstart Business Journal. I’m interested to speaking with you about the Atlanta Startup Village. Would you have time to meet while I’m in town this week? I have some meetings in Midtown on Thursday, so maybe that would work?
Thank you, in advance!
Laura Baverman
Lbaverman@gmail.com