Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I just came across this and thought it was so cool and appropriate for the holidays that I wanted to share. This is from Kyocera, which makes all kinds of digital gadgets:



I wonder if this actually plays out for employees in the trenches?

I discovered Kyocera`s corporate philosophy through an excellent lecture given by L. Hunter Lovins, co-author of the book Natural Capitalism. I highly recommend this video — especially if you are toying with the idea of starting a green business or greening your existing business.

—paula

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Rich Sloan , Co-Founder, Chief Startupologist, StartupNation

no I don`t mind, please feel free.

I would love to meet Hunter, that must have been quite a fun project to work on. She has some interesting stories about her recent work in Afghanistan in a similar lecture, if I can find that link again I`ll post it. Might there be any chance of a radio interview with her sometime?

—paula

This brings up the point of whether or not a strategy and a philosophy are related. And how does a philosophy differ from, say, a mission statement or even a motto?

I`d say a philosophy applies to the big picture, while a mission statement applies to one particular company and a motto is something individuals can apply to themselves, and a strategy is a calculated to-do list. I don`t think a strategy necessarily ties to any of the rest unless the strategizer specifically designs it to be so. Lots of companies embark on strategies that directly conflict with their founders` philosophies or even their mission statements... people do this too actually, think of how many people have a life philosophy that prioritizes relationships yet their life strategy is to work at a job that takes them away from their relationships.

That`s why I wondered whether Kyocera`s corporate philosophy trickles down to the employees. I think I`ve only ever worked at one company where management made a real effort to make sure all employees benefited from the culture they tried to create... all the rest were just blowing hot air and everyone knew it.

—paula

Alright, so we could say that a philosophy places a context around life, business, people, or stuff. Then a strategy provides a way to move within that particular context.

Philosophy makes the environment, where strategy generates movement within that environment.

An observation on this particular topic is that there could be a mix-up between a philosophy and a moral code---an Ethics. Generally speaking, an ethic has to do with the rules by which we interact with other people (and living things). This seems more like what Kyocera is defining.

I think that can explain why some companies can develop a strategy that contradicts the founder`s philosophy (morality or ethic). We can see some of that starting to change in Wal-Mart, where Sam Walton had an actual philosophy, but now the corporation seems more to be just using a strategy or "operational plan."