To Inspire:

Our firm was privileged to co-host an event earlier this week with Overmyer Hall Associates and Bailey Cavalieri.  The event was part of our firms’ Business Leaders Series and our presenter was John Lowe, CEO of Jeni‘s Splendid Ice Creams.

He shared a story that I think will be helpful for all of us as we pursue living a great life.

Many of you may remember that back in 2015 the company discovered that listeria was in some of their product in a grocery store in Nebraska. They immediately sent a courier to purchase and take all of Jeni’s off of those shelves.

John met with his senior management team to consider options. But to a person they all agreed that their only course of action was to make the very expensive decision to pull all of their ice cream out of grocery stores, shut down their own retail stories and cease production. In other words, they ceased doing business until they could figure out a way to solve the problem.

In reflecting for us on how that decision was made, John expressed that their core value of bringing goodness and joy to the world (rather than harm) led them straight to the decision. Even in the midst of an emotionally challenging crisis, they let their core values guide their decision making. It’s an inspiring story for it means that this particular company’s core values trump profit.

John’s story has me considering considering whether my core values inform all of my actions. Core values are not just for businesses –  they are for you and me, our marriages, our places of worship, the nonprofits we work with, as well as the places at which we work.

Here at The Joseph Group we have five core values that are extremely important to us: integrity, teamwork, humility, excellence and enthusiasm. We have developed many ways to communicate, recognize and celebrate the living out of those values. But we can always improve on living out these core values and John’s story has me considering how.

Today, consider what core values are important to you and begin to live them with great purpose. It will make decision making easier, lead you to the right decision and in doing so enhance your great life.

Greatness, we’re made for it!

Written by Matt Palmer, Partner & Co-founder