I thought I’d have to go far to see an offline example of a company openly sharing their values to their customers but I didn’t. Instead I looked over at my Panera’s bag. On the back was their “recipe”. It was all the things they value that they want their customers to know about. Sure, I knew about the free Wifi and their artisan bread but that’s just the surface of what they want their customers to know about them.

A small business can show their values by listing them where their customers are. If your customers are on your website, let them easily find where you stand on your convictions, your passions and your business purpose in serving them. Your core values should be listed clearly like Yahoo, Google, Zappos and Whole Foods.

But don’t just list your core values. Live and breath the things you stand for. Let your employees and customers know what are your guiding principles. It’s what builds relationships between people and businesses.

What ways does your small business publicly demonstrate their values?