The ANCORP Way

Empowering science and technology since 1965, ANCORP is committed to excellence in everything we do. The foundation for it all is our unique culture. The 26 Fundamentals that follow describe the behaviors that define that culture. They’re what set us apart and drive our success. We call it: The ANCORP Way.

1. THINK SAFE, WORK SAFE. Know and practice the safety procedures for your job. Watch out for the safety of your teammates as well, for we’re all part of the ANCORP team. If you see something unsafe, say something. Never take shortcuts that compromise your safety or that of your teammates.
2. DO THE RIGHT THING, ALWAYS. Demonstrate an unwavering commitment to doing the right thing in every action you take, especially when no one’s looking. Make decisions based on what’s right, not what’s convenient. Always tell the truth, no matter the consequences. If you make a mistake, own up to it, apologize, and make it right.
3. DO QUALITY WORK. Demonstrate a passion for excellence and take pride in the quality of everything you touch and everything you do. Good is not good enough. Always ask yourself, “Is this my best work?”
4. BE A CUSTOMER ADVOCATE. In all situations, do what’s best for the customer, even if it’s to our own short-term detriment. Give the customer what they need, not just what they ask for. There’s no greater way to build a reputation than to steadfastly do what’s right for others.
5. TAKE PRIDE IN OUR APPEARANCE. Make our appearance a reflection of our quality. Take responsibility to see that our work environment is clean, neat, well maintained and professional. Be a good steward of our grounds and common spaces. Pick up the trash. Take pride in being an ANCORP team member.
6. HONOR COMMITMENTS. Do what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it. This includes being on time with all deliveries, phone calls, appointments, and meetings. Be a fanatic about meeting our promised customer deliveries, and if a commitment can’t be fulfilled, notify others early and agree on a new deliverable to be honored. Under promise and over deliver.
7. TREAT OTHERS WITH RESPECT AND KINDNESS. Pay attention to the tone of your voicemails, emails, and conversations. Be respectful and approachable, and avoid negativity and sarcasm. Your attitude is contagious. Spread kindness, optimism, and positive energy.
8. FIND A WAY. “No” is not the answer. Respond to every situation by looking for how we can do it, rather than explaining why it can’t be done. Be resourceful and show initiative. Find a way to get it done.
9. BE RELENTLESS ABOUT IMPROVEMENT. Regularly reevaluate every aspect of your work to find ways to improve. Don’t be satisfied with the status quo. “Because we’ve always done it that way” is not a reason. Guard against complacency. Find ways to get things done better, faster, and more efficiently.
10. PRACTICE BLAMELESS PROBLEM-SOLVING. Demonstrate a relentless solution focus, rather than pointing fingers or dwelling on problems. Determine facts, not fault. Identify lessons learned and use those lessons to improve ourselves and our processes so we don’t make the same mistake twice. Get smarter with every mistake. Learn from every experience.
11. GET CLEAR ON EXPECTATIONS. Create clarity and avoid misunderstandings by discussing expectations upfront. Set expectations for others and ask when you’re not clear on what they expect of you. End all meetings with clarity about action items, responsibilities, and due dates.
12. TAKE OWNERSHIP. Don’t pass the buck. If you see a problem, or an issue is brought to your attention, then you own it and are responsible for solving it. Follow-up everything and see issues through to their completion.
13. SHOW MEANINGFUL APPRECIATION. Recognizing people doing things right is more effective than pointing out when they do things wrong. Regularly extend meaningful acknowledgment and appreciation — in all directions throughout our organization.
14. THINK TEAM FIRST. It’s not about you. Don’t let your ego or personal agenda get in the way of doing what’s best for the team. Be there for each other and be willing to step into another role or help a co-worker when that’s what’s required for success. Help each other to succeed.
15. BE A CONTINUOUS LEARNER. Work on yourself. Seek out and take advantage of every opportunity to gain more knowledge, to increase your skills, and to become a greater expert, both in and out of work. Be resourceful about learning and sharing best practices. Never stop learning.
16. LISTEN GENEROUSLY. Listening is more than simply “not speaking.” Give others your undivided attention. Be present and engaged. Minimize the distractions and let go of the need to agree or disagree. Suspend your judgment and be curious to know more, rather than jumping to conclusions. Above all, listen to understand.
17. SPEAK STRAIGHT. Speak honestly in a way that helps to make progress. Say what you mean, and be willing to ask questions, share ideas, or raise issues that may cause conflict when it’s necessary for team success. Be courageous enough to say what needs to be said. Address issues directly with those who are involved or affected.
18. “BRING IT” EVERY DAY. Have a passion for what we do and be fully engaged. Make the most of each day by approaching every task with energy, focus, purpose, and enthusiasm. Work with a sense of urgency to get things done.
19. INVEST IN RELATIONSHIPS. Get to know your clients and co-workers on a more personal level. Talk more and email less. Take the time to engage with others, and understand what makes them tick and what’s important to them. Strong relationships enable us to more successfully work through difficult issues and challenging times.
20. OWN YOUR WORK. Focus first on getting your work done. We are a team at ANCORP, but to be a great team we depend on each member taking care of his or her own responsibilities. Get your work done first, then offer to help others as needed.
21. BE A FANATIC ABOUT RESPONSE TIME. Respond to questions and concerns quickly, whether it’s in person, on the phone, or by email. This includes simply acknowledging that we got the question and we’re “on it,” as well as keeping those involved continuously updated on the status of outstanding issues. Respond quickly to both customers and co-workers.
22. MAINTAIN WORK-LIFE HARMONY. Own and protect your work-life harmony. Know and communicate boundaries and when you need to take a break to refresh and recharge. Make healthy choices physically, emotionally, and financially. Take advantage of the support and opportunities offered here at ANCORP. The more in harmony you are, the more you’ll thrive personally and professionally.
23. EMBRACE CHANGE. What got us here is not the same as what will get us to the next level. Get outside your comfort zone, rather than stubbornly hanging on to old ways of doing things. Be excited by the possibilities that change brings. Be flexible.
24. PITCH IN WHEREVER NECESSARY. Your responsibilities are not limited to your job description. Be willing to do the mundane and ordinary things necessary to get the job done. Nothing is beneath any of us. If you see it, do it.
25. REDUCE OR ELIMINATE WASTE. Look for opportunities to reduce or eliminate wasted time, money, materials, and effort. Our job is to do it right, and to do it quickly, without sacrificing competitiveness, quality, or safety.
26. KEEP THINGS FUN. While our passion for excellence is real, remember that the world has bigger problems than the daily challenges that make up our work. Stuff happens. Keep perspective. Don’t take things personally or take yourself too seriously. Be fun to work with. Laugh every day.