Core Values at Tikatok

I had a great time last week helping the team at Tikatok clarify their core values.  Tikatok is “an online platform where parents and their children can write, illustrate, and publish their original stories into professional-quality hardcover and paperback books or eBooks.” It’s a little company with a great idea that lives within Barnes & Noble.

Tikatok’s president, Sharon Kan, called recently and told me that she felt her team had developed a unique  culture that was intrinsic to their success.  She asked if I could help them create core value statements that would capture their culture and help keep it strong as they grow.

We had a great afternoon, and they agreed on their five essential values, and then simple statements of how they intend to demonstrate those values day-to-day:

1)      (TRUST)  We believe in our customers and each other.

2)      (EMPATHY)  We care and we build communities that care.

3)     (PERSONAL IDENTITY)  We encourage self-expression.

4)     (ACHIEVING FULL POTENTIAL)  We inspire everyone to achieve their full potential.

5)     (HAPPINESS)  We invite people to do what makes them happy.

One thing I really like about these core values statements: all of them apply equally to their customers and to the members of the Tikatok team.  This kind of congruence is truly powerful: it’s the ultimate version of practicing what you preach.