By JOHNNY CARCIOPPOLO / Community Columnist

Most business owners have established their corporate mission and values during the planning phase of their business. And while those two elements are ingrained in the minds of the business owner, it’s sometimes a challenge to communicate these important elements to employees.

Getting employees onboard with a company’s mission and values can be critical for productivity and engagement.

1. Start with clear communication. Communication is important and when it comes to business, it’s critical. Sharing your company’s values with employees is especially important at lower levels where employees are more inclined to be disengaged. If your employees don’t understand the values of the company, they are more likely to make decisions that are off track. Communicate your values and goals, and keep your team focused in the same direction.
2. Collaborate with your team. It is important that your team understands the mission of the company. They should all be responsible for achieving goals. You can personalize this process to fit the employee’s strengths, and by doing so you will increase engagement and productivity.
3. Lead proactively. Being proactive can mean many things, but when it comes to the mission and values of your company, but in this case, it pertains to follow up and preparedness. Stay connected to your employees and ensure that everyone is clear about the mission. Small problems tend to mushroom into larger ones, and by being aggressive and proactive in addressing issues, you are diminishing the threat of things escalating out of control.

Reminder to Helena business owners: The HBA is sponsoring a Business Expo on Saturday, March 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Helena Sports Complex. If you are interested in becoming a vendor, the cost is $75 for a 10-by-10 area. As a bonus, the $75 also gives you a year membership to the HBA. Visit Hbahelena.com for more information.