Value Alignment
An organization striving for success must have core values and a code of ethics. Values are sometimes described as what is important to someone. That can include a person or an organization. The vision that an organization develops must be based on the core values of the business. Teamwork, integrity and professionalism are important factors when establishing a well-run organization. Another aspect to the success of a business is establishing the code of ethics. Whereas values determine what is right and what is wrong, ethics determines doing what is right or what is wrong (National Defense University, 2011). Sweet Treats is a bakery that will specialize in the art of pastries and unique baked goods. The core values and ethical relationship between the organization, and the employees is an important dynamic in the work environment of the bakery. In this paper the subject to analyze is how Sweet Treats Bakery was started and established itself to become a successful business. It will then be explained how the alignment between the organization’s values and the subsequent actions are intertwined with personal values and ethical codes, and how the stated values of the business align with actual plans and actions. With the information that is obtained, this paper will focus on how the degree of alignment between personal values and the organization’s values are reflected by the course of action Sweet Treats Bakery will take to be successful.
Origins of and evolution of workplace values
According to Sightline Institute, values and principles is the framework for fairness and equal treatment to employees and consumers (Sightline, n.d ). Sweet Treats is a bakery that has the dream and vision of being the best pastry and baked goods store. The core values and principles of the company is not to only satisfy guests and maintain their business, it is the preservation of employee trust by establishing a healthy working environment. A healthy working environment will focus on equal opportunity, fair treatment, and no discrimination will be tolerated. These values and principles are the components of what drives success of the bakery. Sweet Treats is completely dedicated to providing a high level of cleanliness, quality, and valued service to guests. Sweet Treats approach to both employees and guests is honesty and integrity providing guarantees in a healthy working environment and a clean environment for guests to indulged in the various baked goods and pastries available. The owner of the Sweet Treats will lean on the manager to ensure the vision and core principles are never lax and constantly maintained.
Further, Sweet Treats will give back to the community as well by providing bake shops where tips and various recipes that help guests in their baking endeavors. It is the hope of this organization to reach out to the community in the means of direct interaction. Additionally, Sweet Treats will donate day old goods to various food and homeless shelters so the less fortunate can indulged in something special. The values and principles of this organization has a set vision to meet the needs of paying guests and provide for the less fortunate. The values and principles as stated earlier has to two fold-multi-faucet approach to keep the bakery shop a success.
Individual Values: Actions and Behaviors The individual values mentioned are what drive each of our team members’ actions and behaviors. The driving force behind each member’s perception of the value has a purposeful meaning that comes about whether or not consciously thought about while performing unified tasks. According to Graziadio Business Report (2009), values pushes behavior and that is when it should be aware and stated, so they also should be to be stated by actions. This is necessary as many may speak about their values but one sees what is genuine when actions are put into words Values insert influence over our state of being, and influence our behavior and attitudes. Values are important to the formation of our attitude and are the purpose we respond to people and situations. Individual values drive individual behaviors, which in turn drive individual performance and ultimately organizational performance (Graziadio Business Report, 2009). In order to drive ethical behavior alone with values requires that an alignment between attitudes, behavior, and values. The four main values that this team recognizes as important are integrity, teamwork, performance, and learning. Although each member has varying reasons to use these values, in different degrees of priority, there are times that setting personal difference aside and responding by being objective by doing what is correct is put into place. This team has proven that the values they state are well aligned with the actions performed. Acting with integrity should be the driving force of ethical behavior. Remembering the “Golden Rule” helps formulate the drive as well. It states to keep in mind that establishing agreed upon criteria and dishing them out in a fair manner to all every individual is a just path to take.
Degree of Alignment between Values, Plans and Actions The degree of alignment is a process designed project, geared to the entire company. Companies such as “Sweet treats” need a shared vision of what they need to achieve, when they need to achieve it. Company such as “Sweet treats” needs a clear picture of where Sweet treats is headed in the future. This plan is a plan for the vision of Sweet treats and the strategy that makes up Sweet treats. Sweet treats needs to know exactly where they stand when it comes to financial benefits, cost of deliveries and being on time when it counts. All of these things will make Sweet treats stand out in the crowd when it comes to all other organizations. Sweet treats will also strive to be the best in customer service and in deliveries. Sweet treats plan of action is to have the best pastries and the most unique baked goods in all of the organizations. At Sweet treats we plan to have the best customer service, the friendliest faces and the best food that you have ever had from a bakery.

Differences between degrees of alignment
At Sweet Treats bakery we believe that great products begin with great values. Despite its success, Sweet Treats values are reminiscent of its home town roots; each customer is family, each product is made with love, and we stand firm behind our commitment to improve the world in which we all inhabit. Sweet Treats bakery uses Fair Trade Certified ingredients, products that guarantee fair prices and wages to the farmers and workers that produce them (Fair Trade USA, 2010). We have a duty to make a positive contribution in our world. Since our beginning we have supported organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Homefront America, an organization dedicated to helping those who are willing to defend our freedom, and to serve their families in their times of need. Sweet Treats bakery values are at the core of every business decision. We understand that the impact we make and what we stand for as a business is just as important to our customers as the quality products that we produce.

Conclusion

References
National Defense University, (2011). Strategic Leadership and Decision Making- Values and
Ethics. Retrieved from: http://www.au.af.mil/au/awcgate/ndu/strat-Idr-dm/pt4ch15.html
Sightline Institute (n.d.). Sustainability Values & Principles - Sustainability Toolkit. Retrieved September 16, 2011 from: http://www.sightline.org/research/sust_toolkit/fundamentals Fair Trade USA. (2010). Retrieved from http://transfairusa.org/what-is-fair-trade
Graziado Business Report. Retrieved from http://gbr.pepperdine.edu/033/ethics.html