In a recent article published by Forbes Business Council, Ryan McFarland, the Founder and CEO of Strider Bikes, shared valuable insights on the importance of establishing and living by core values in a business. With 17 years of experience running Strider Bikes, McFarland emphasized the significance of authenticity when defining a company’s core values and mission statement. He stressed that these values should stem from one’s genuine beliefs and motivations rather than external influences or marketing strategies. By staying true to his own passion for riding and inspiring kids, McFarland laid the foundation for Strider’s mission to build lightweight bikes that develop coordination and confidence in children.
McFarland highlighted the importance of simplicity and clarity when crafting core values and mission statements. He warned against overcomplicating these guiding principles with excessive jargon or buzzwords, as that can lead to confusion and lack of understanding among team members. By distilling Strider’s core values into a single, straightforward sentence, McFarland ensured that everyone in the company could grasp and act upon them on a daily basis. This approach served as a guiding force for decision-making and prevented the business from straying away from its core purpose.
At Strider Bikes, the company’s central purpose of inspiring kids to ride has not only influenced the design of their products but also led to meaningful social initiatives. McFarland shared how the company launched the Adaptive Strider Program to help individuals with various challenges, such as limb differences and Autism Spectrum Disorder, learn to ride. By aligning these efforts with their core values and dedicating a portion of their profits to charitable causes, Strider Bikes has been able to positively impact the community while staying true to their mission. McFarland emphasized the importance of looking for opportunities to turn values into action and listening to customers for valuable insights.
In conclusion, McFarland emphasized that living by a company’s core values does not have to be complicated. By keeping values simple, genuine, and aligned with a clear mission, businesses can be better positioned to help others, adapt to feedback, and expand their impact. The key, according to McFarland, is to understand what truly drives the team and focus on continuously improving and reaching more people with the company’s message. By staying true to their purpose and values, businesses like Strider Bikes can make a meaningful difference in the lives of their customers and the community at large.
