The Importance of Your Nanny Agency’s Core Values and Why You Need Them.

Whether you’re at the beginning of your journey as a new agency owner or you have been doing this work for a while, you will experience challenges that can sometimes make you question if owning your own agency is worth the struggles.

We have previously discussed the importance of having a mission statement for your nanny agency. A mission statement is the foundation of your business and acts as an important source of inspiration for you and your team to help drive your business forward (even as it encounters new challenges). 

Core values are another valuable tool that will act as a guiding light for your business. 

Core values are beliefs and values that guide a business’s actions. They unite employees and define its brand. Because these values guide your business, they not only impact your marketing, but also who you choose to work with.

However, many agency owners skip the important step of establishing core values in their rush to get their business up and running. Similar to a writer skipping a thorough character development process to understand their characters and their motivations in order to get straight into the plot of their novel, skipping out on defining who your agency is and what it prioritizes through core values can hurt you and your business in the long run. 

We outline below why it’s crucial to take the time to form your unique set of core values and position your nanny agency as an attractive choice for your clients and nannies. 

Attract Aligned Families and Nannies

You need core values to show families how you work, what you care about, and most importantly, what makes your agency stand out from the rest. 

We’ve all heard the saying, “People buy from people.”  What this really means is that people invest in organizations and agencies that share similar values to themselves. In the words of speaker and author Bob Burg, an expert in business networking, “People buy from people they know, like, and trust.” When you make your agency’s core values clear, you will attract families who resonate with you and your agency. 

This same principle applies to the nanny candidates who will apply for your positions. When your agency recruits nannies with your core values in mind, the right nanny candidates are more likely to stand out to you.

In addition, your core values can be used throughout your nanny hiring process. For example, you can ask questions that will draw out those core values from your candidates during interviews. By finding the right candidates at the beginning, you will not only improve your recruitment process, but also your retention rate.

Attract Aligned Employees

Furthermore, you need defined core values to help guide your agency’s employee hiring process. When job candidates are on the same page as you and share your core values, you know that they will be a good fit for your organization and  team. The right team with the same vision and values creates a collaborative work environment that only helps your business to continue to grow and flourish. 

You must also remember to set the tone for your nanny agency and establish what’s important.  Recognize employees who demonstrate your agency’s core values in their work. As the leader, make sure you are also living out those core values.

Make Core Values a Priority 

Core values are needed in your agency to act as a vital foundation from which all of your work will flow. They create a sense of trust with families who are aligned with your values, help you attract your ideal nanny candidates and employees, provide a framework for motivating your team, and guide decision making. They lead to more loyal clients who value your agency and employees. Finally, core values also build a strong referral source for future families.

So, have you defined your core values yet? If your answer is “Not yet,” then what are you waiting for? 

If you need more support, my online course, Aspire: Your Agency Startup Guide goes into more depth on how to form your core values and more. It’s perfect if you’re thinking of starting your own agency!