Values, Inc.

It's been said that 95 percent of companies that have a code of values don't even use them. Sad, but true. There are companies, too many to count, that spend countless hours and even countless dollars with experts to brainstorm their mission, vision, and values, write them down, hang them on the wall...and then walk away. While these things look good on paper, they mean nothing to the day-to-day functions of these businesses and the people they employ. And that's a tragedy that needs to stop. When The Dwyer Group decided to operationalize its company code of values, little did we know the impact it would have on our business. Not only was the change tangible and real, shaping our business from the corner office to the front lines of our service brands around the world. But it also made our company a really fun place to work on a whole new level. We were attracting people to our home office and across our franchise service brands like never before. The Dwyer Group Code of Values brought real value to our company and our culture as we became a $1 billion annual business systemwide.

It's been said that 95 percent of companies that have a code of values don't even use them. Sad, but true. There are companies, too many to count, that spend countless hours and even countless dollars with experts to brainstorm their mission, vision, and values, write them down, hang them on the wall...and then walk away. While these things look good on paper, they mean nothing to the day-to-day functions of these businesses and the people they employ. And that's a tragedy that needs to stop. When The Dwyer Group decided to operationalize its company code of values, little did we know the impact it would have on our business. Not only was the change tangible and real, shaping our business from the corner office to the front lines of our service brands around the world. But it also made our company a really fun place to work on a whole new level. We were attracting people to our home office and across our franchise service brands like never before. The Dwyer Group Code of Values brought real value to our company and our culture as we became a $1 billion annual business systemwide. Fast forward to this book and a desire to see more companies, more leaders, more people, and the world-at-large achieve success that is well within reach using values and bringing value to the lives of all they touch. Values, Inc. invites a movement to live right and do right in business and in life for a world in need of direction. That direction shouldn't just be framed and hung on a wall. Put those values into action, bring those values to life, take a stand and make a difference. The rewards are too great to ignore.

Dina Dwyer-Owens serves as Co-Chair of The Dwyer Group®, a parent company whose concepts include more than 1,700 franchises across the world operating under the service brands of Aire Serv®, Glass Doctor®, Mr. Appliance®, Mr. Electric®, Mr. Rooter® (Drain Doctor® in the U.K. and Portugal), Rainbow International®, The Grounds Guys® and Five Star Painting®. Collectively, The Dwyer Group service brands account for almost $1 billion in annual systemwide sales. Dina's duties include cultivating the R.I.C.H. corporate culture, high level strategic planning, acquisitions and public relations. She served as the 2010 Chairwoman for the International Franchise Association and is also responsible for reintroducing the IFA's VetFran program, where participating franchisors offer their best financial incentives to military veterans who want to own a franchise. She has been honored throughout her career with numerous awards including the 2012 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Southwest Area North, the 2012 Small Business Influencer Award, and the national Raising a Ruckus Award from Working Mother magazine. In 2012, she appeared on "Undercover Boss" and in 2013 she appeared on the first-ever "Undercover Boss: Epic Bosses" episode, sharing with millions of viewers her faith, her passion for business and her belief in The Dwyer Group Code of Values. Under her leadership, The Dwyer Group has grown and received many honors including having The Dwyer Group brands listed among Entrepreneur magazine's "Franchise 500" list of best franchise companies for several years running.