Jayaprakash Jagateesan

CEO, RHT Holdings

Just like how we need our five senses to work closely to provide us with accurate impressions of the world, an organisation’s vision, mission and core values are equally important in defining its core ideology.

The difference between a company with a vision statement and a visionary company lies in how well the core values are understood, embraced and exemplified in day-to-day operations.

A strong foundation defined by core values gives clarity to why the organisation exists and keeps it on track to accomplish its vision. This will result in the ability to continuously attract and retain top talent, build a strong organisational culture that ensures client confidence and deliver top quality professional services.

Mike Tuchen

CEO, Talend

All three are critical, but I would place core values at the top of the list. To me, you cannot succeed in business without putting the right team together. This is not, however, just about hiring individual talent. It is about creating a true team, one where team members share the same cultural values and work together in harmony and support each other. Vision and mission are very important and tightly linked, but more companies fail at strategy and execution, so to me they are even more important. Strategy is the chess match part of being a leader or a chief executive. Finally, its execution — aligning everyone around a clear set of goals and ensuring results.

Mark Billington

Regional Director, South East Asia, ICAEW

For me, integrity is the most important aspect of being a business leader and chartered accountant. Ethics are fundamental to the establishment of trust — essential to business and society. Integrity enhances the dependability of relationships, facilitates transactions, and promotes the efficient allocation of resources. Integrity is about principles and values — and these influence judgment. It is not simply obeying rules and laws; it is about doing the ethical thing.

In accountancy, ethical behaviour is vital because our work is often complex and it is critical that those who act on our professional judgment trust that we are not acting in our own interest. Chartered accountants are known for their professional judgment. Everyone must have confidence that judgment is technically and ethically sound.

Tadayuki Funakura

MD, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Asia

They are all intertwined and are important facets in an organisation. As a business leader, Konica Minolta needs to have an expansive view of the business landscape. A clear vision will help articulate where we want to be and bring focus on what needs to be done, along with strategy formulation, efficient resource management and strong execution. In order to realise this, we need people who share the same values. Values form the innermost essence of the beliefs and is a set of guiding principles of engagement. I embrace the values of customer centricity and passion as this allows for open and honest engagement with customers and society as a whole.

Saw Ken Wye

CEO, CrimsonLogic

Mission, vision and core values all play an important role in guiding a company and its people. As the leader of a company, I need the organisation to know where it is heading and what we should be focusing on. And that is why both mission and vision need to be clear and concise to focus the mind of everyone towards achieving our goals. The core values govern the heart and actions of the employees.

In an IT company, the most important resource is the “software” — the people. Tackling the scarcity of this “software” requires organisations to cultivate a positive culture through a strong doctrine of core values, one that is inclusive of the millennial workforce. Aligning all the three elements of mission, vision and core values successfully is what will set companies apart from the competition.

Compiled by Rumi Hardasmalani (rumih [at] mediacorp.com.sg)