At Rostrum, our core values drive everything that we do as an agency – and they inform everything that we want to achieve. Teaching our people about our values is just as important to us as ensuring that they are equipped with the skills, knowledge and tools to do their jobs. Rostrum’s values are Be Bold, Be Curious, Be Connected, Be Together, Be Better – and we try to live those values in everything that we do.
We adopt a value-led approach from the very start of the recruitment process – long before a potential employee starts work with us. We try to ensure that our values are placed right at the centre of everything we do — starting with how we seek out new talent.
So how does it work in practice?
- Firstly, we communicate our values to candidates before their first interview, as part of our recruitment brochure
- During their first interview, we ask candidates for an example of when they have been able to demonstrate values that we prioritise – such as being bold, curious or connected in their current role
- We talk through our company values with every employee on their first day, as part of their induction
- Our employee benefits are now broken down according to our values, with subheads for each value/associated benefit
- We ask for examples of how team members have exhibited our values at monthly check-ins and six-month reviews
- And during Annual Reviews, half of our assessment focuses on the practical skills required for the role, while the other half looks at how the individual has demonstrated our values at work
But I still think we can do more! For example, we’re currently working on a plan to choose a Value of the Month (or quarter) and then asking the team to nominate a colleague, with details of how they demonstrated that value (with prizes for the winner).
As ever, we’re not perfect and the team at Rostrum is always looking for ways that we can be better when it comes to living and breathing our agency values.
