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Savola's
"Balanced Way" emphasizes a balanced approach
to its corporate culture through four core ethics
principles, four internal success values and four
external success values.
Four
Core Ethics Principles
The
four core-ethics as referenced in its strategy
are; Amanah (Honesty) that drives its commitment
to its shareholders; Taqwa (Conscientiousness)
that drives its commitment to its community; Birr
(Caring Justice) that drives its commitment to
its employees; and finally Mujahada (Personal
Control) that drives itself toward self-improvement
and self-discipline. Each of the four core-ethics
comprehensively addresses all of its key stakeholders
and has its origin in the Islamic code of ethics
that the stakeholders can best relate to.
For
example, the organization effectively applies
Amanah, promising its business shareholders
honesty in all aspects of management and in recognizing
its responsibility towards its shareholders' as
a trust.
Four
Internal Success Values
The
four internal success drivers help define the
values for how the organization is guided internally.
These are Azm (Fierce Resolve), Iqtida
(Apprenticeship), Itqan (The relentless
pursuit of perfection), and, Tawado (Confident
humility.)
These
value drivers help to create an internal environment
of competitive cooperation in which individuals
can attain their own personal goals in the organization
while taking the company forward as a whole. They
create multiple dynamics to be used in various
roles and relationships present in the corporate
structure.
Four
External Success Values
The
final aspects to Savola's "Balanced Way"
are the four values that drive its external success.
These are Ihsan al Dhan (Trusting), Iqbal
(Resonating), Mu'azarah (caring to help),
and Qabool (enduring.) These values
are embodied in the policies and initiatives the
company has set for itself. For example
- their plan to enhance corporate citizenship
emanates from the value of Iqbal. By resonating
with the needs of the external community, the
Group enhances its image and gives itself more
opportunities to understand how to serve the needs
of the community.
A
Corporate Culture with the Right Motive
Savola's
leadership has had the foresight to recognize
the importance of being guided by its "Balanced
Way" core values and to consider it as a means
to raise employee morale, improve productivity,
facilitate efficient decision making and ultimately
ensure its long-term survival and prosperity.
In doing so it has also espoused moral standards
in line with Islamic principles. The "Balanced
Way" shows their willingness to admit their mistakes
by drawing on the values of Mujahada, Qabool,
and Taqwa. They have also incorporated
the value of having the best of intentions and
attribute their success to the blessings of Allah.
Ofcourse,
core values are of no value if not consistently
instilled and followed. This article is only a
review of Savola's stated "Balanced Way"
and does not assess its application and success.
However, Savola's continued growth and profitability
suggests that its leadership takes the "Balanced
Way" to heart and continuously applies it to drive
management and growth strategies. If the Savola
Group of Companies continues to drive itself
through its "Balanced Way," and continues to build
upon its "core purpose," then there's no reason
why in due time, it would not be placed amongst
the global market leaders Nestle, Unilever, Kraft
Foods, Cargill or General Mills.
| Key
Learnings: |
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One
common ingredient of companies
that have survived the test of
time is a cherished organizational
"core purpose" and "core value"
structure that they preserve while
changing everything else - processes,
goals, and strategies - to stay
relevant |
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For
businesses in the Muslim world,
such as Savola Group, a corporate
culture can be made relevant by
leveraging Islam's balanced approach
and key ethics principles |
|
A strong corporate culture raises
employee morale, improves productivity,
and facilitates efficient decision
making, ensuring long-term prosperity
of a Company |
|
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The
Author acknowledges Dr. Rafeek Beekun of University
of Nevada &
Islamic Training Foundation whose presentation
on Islamic Business Models (at the International
Business Trade Forum, Chicago, September 2001)
inspired this article.
YOUR
FEEDBACK
"I
find your article on savola group very uplifting.
Maassalam."
H. Usman, Nigeria
"Great
article; it is really true and accurate description."
Saleh, Saudi Arabia
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