The CleanAir Philosophy

 

The following pages will describe the CleanAir Philosophy in four parts. Our aim describes where we, as a company, are going. The list of stakeholders outlines whom our business effects and provides some insight as to why we are in business. Our core values are stated to govern how we conduct business. The final section describes in basic terms "By What Methods" the aim is to be achieved.

These are not new ideas. Some of this has been published before, in basic training handouts. The Quality University handbook contains many of the same ideas, but it was somewhat scrambled. There were methods and results in the values section, and a corporate vision, purpose and aim which restated many of the same themes. The aim was quite similar to what we have today, but there was no clear distinction between what was part of the vision or part of the purpose.

The purpose of this document is not to change the corporate beliefs or state new ones, but to clarify ideas that are central to this company and how it does business.

Any comments or suggestions for improvements should be placed in Bill Walker's suggestion drop folder. We will try to review comments and suggestions annually.

Thank You,

Philosophy Sub-Committee:

Scott Evans

Bill Walker

 

 Aim

The aim is a statement about WHERE we are going as a company. It tells us about our direction.

 

Our aim is to be recognized, worldwide, as providing the highest value products and services for air quality management.

The aim can be understood more thoroughly by examining its parts.

recognition - Recognition is the measurement of the aim. It is not good enough to simply provide the highest quality products and services. Recognition implies we actually do provide the highest value products and services and that there is a general awareness of this.
worldwide - This defines the scope of our market. We compete throughout the world; therefore our recognition must be measured throughout the world.
highest value - Highest value is the aim. Our concept of value is linked to close, long-term relationships with our clients. These relationships help us to understand how our clients determine value.
air quality management - This defines our business activities. We are not involved with soil or water. Nevertheless, the term "air quality management" is quite broad and certainly goes beyond testing into products and services we may not be currently offering. These are areas for potential market growth.

 

Stakeholders

What value do we bring to our stakeholders? Each stakeholder provides us with something of value and we must provide something of value in return. In other words, each stakeholder helps us achieve our aim and we help him or her achieve his or her aim. Win-win. Management is the art of using the resources of the company to maximize the "return" to all stakeholders.

Below is a list of those who hold a stake in the success of our company.

 

CUSTOMERS - Our customers provide us with the on-going capital needed to pursue our aim. In return, we provide them with the highest value products and services our system is capable of producing.

EMPLOYEES - Our employees provide us with the knowledge, wisdom, and labor required to pursue our aim. In return, we provide challenging and rewarding work, an environment where each may take pride in their accomplishments, and the opportunity for personal development.

SUPPLIERS - Our suppliers provide us with the "raw materials" necessary to pursue our aim. In return, we provide them with prompt payment and the feedback required to help them understand our needs and become better suppliers.

STOCKHOLDERS - Our stockholders have placed their money at risk to provide us with the capital needed to pursue our aim. In return, we employ responsible management and financial practices to minimize their risk while providing a reasonable return on their investment.

COMMUNITY - Our local community provides us with a desirable environment in which to pursue our aim, raise and educate our children, and live our lives. In return, we provide both public support (taxes, employment) and private support (contributions and/or involvement in community groups) for the continual improvement of overall quality of life.

SOCIETY - Our society (worldwide) provides us with stable economic and social systems and the freedom to pursue our aim. In return, we help improve the quality of life by providing resources to help balance environmental responsibility and economic growth.

 

CleanAir Values

Our values address HOW we will achieve our aim. These values, we believe, are core to this organization. They are what we stand for, what we’re all about. They should seldom, if ever, be compromised.

 

Integrity and Honesty - The cornerstone of our business is integrity and honesty. Strive for truth in all relations.

Fairness and Respect - Treat others fairly and with respect.

Shared Knowledge - Share knowledge. It is constructive and leads to wisdom. Do not keep unnecessary secrets, it is self-serving. Do not confuse this with protecting confidential client information.

Teamwork and Diversity - Teamwork is supported and encouraged where diverse backgrounds and viewpoints are brought together to achieve our common aim.

Innovation - The exploration and application of new ideas is encouraged. Learning is valued, even when a result of failure.

Environment Conscientious - We are dedicated to a clean environment and seek clients who demonstrate environmental responsibility. We support the CERES Principals and sustainable development. We advance the major concepts of the 1997 Kyoto Conference on global warming.

 

Methods

WHAT we will do to achieve our aim. It is the "By what means?" of which Dr. Deming often spoke. Each part of the mission is stated in somewhat general terms and is supported by "sub-missions" that are much more specific.

Understand your customer’ s current needs.

Ask the about the purpose and benefits. Ask about their aim or purpose and what is keeping them from getting more of what they want. Document and communicate the needs. Analysis how we can increase our value.

Anticipate and plan for your customer’s future success.

Meet with top customers at least once per year to talk about long range topics. Set long range plan and action steps in place and revisit it on schedule.

Understand how your customer determines value.

This is a constantly moving target. We need to constantly monitor each customer value drivers and communicate these to all employees involved with them.

Strive to exceed your customer’s expectation for the purpose of developing a customer for life.

Look for customers that are looking for us. Don't work with mules. Competitively bid only when necessary to fill holes in the schedule. Strive to align CleanAir and customer on the same goals. Strive to mutually share benefits of achieving common goals,

Improve continuously the quality of our products and services.

This is about constant improvement of all processes using a systems approach including training, documenting, PDSA, feedback and benchmarking.

Continuously improve the efficiency of our processes.

This is also about constant improvement of all processes using a systems approach including training, documenting, PDSA, feedback and benchmarking

Develop partnerships with synergistic benefits.

Identify long term common goals that are not counter productive.

Pioneer the use of new technologies.

Success is more about using technology in new ways than inventing it.

For more ont this see "The Next Wave"

This document is located on the CleanAir Palatine File Server in the following folder:

Corporate Folders / WWW / team90intranet/ direction