Sequent was a hardware vendor that pioneered high-performance symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) open systems between 1983 and 1999 when it was acquired by IBM. I was lucky enough to work for Sequent between 1992 and 1995. In its heyday it operated by a set of values and principles that created a great work environment because individuals who worked at the company were committed to them and have stood the test of time. I’ve reproduced them here simply because I couldn’t find them publicly available on the internet!
The Sequent Values & Principles
Our Values:
- Easy to Do Business With
- The Customer ALWAYS Comes First
- Do All We Can to Ensure Customer Success – Does Not Always Mean Saying Yes
- Three Keys – Listen, Consider and Act
- Go the “Extra Mile” for the Customer
- Profitability
- Required for Our Success
- Allows for Growth & Investments for Future
- Everyone is Responsible for Profitability
- Follow the “Spend Smart and Invest Smart” Concept
- Teamwork
- Strong & Balanced Teams
- Put Group Goals & Interests Ahead of Personal Reward
- Open & Honest Communication
- You’re Accountable for Your Commitments
- Nobody Wins Unless the Team Wins
- Quality
- Exceed the Customer Expectations
- Strive for Continuous Improvement in All You Do
- Know Who Your Customers Are
- Establish Clear Mutually Acceptable Expectations
- Managed Expectations, Consistently Achieved
- People
- Assimilating & Integrating New Members is Critical
- Open, Honest & Timely Communication
- Treat Each Other With Respect
- Take Time to Say “Thank You” for a Good Job
- Strive for Win-Win Relationships
- Act With Honesty & Uncompromising Integrity
- Take Responsibility for Our Customers’ Success
- Strive to be the Best
- Have a “Can Do” Attitude
- Respect Each Other
- Exhibit Team Pride
- Take Calculated Risks
- Be Active Community Citizens
- Urgently Do the Right Thing
- Make Consultative Decisions
Our Principles:
- Act With Honesty & Uncompromising Integrity
- Take Responsibility for Our Customers’ Success
- Strive to be the Best
- Have a “Can Do” Attitude
- Respect Each Other
- Exhibit Team Pride
- Take Calculated Risks
- Be Active Community Citizens
- Urgently Do the Right Thing
- Make Consultative Decisions