Core values are a foundation to build on and a flag to rally to. Setting them out clearly is important because if we or the organisation ever drift from them then we have a way to bring ourselves back in line. Our daily aim should be to make that credibility gap between what we say and what we do as narrow as possible.

I'm a big believer in having your core values worked out in such a way that they are easy to remember, simple to communicate, inclusive in their scope, and inspiring in their effect.

1. Hold up a mirror - your real core values can be seen in what you do. Look for warts and blemishes.

2. Listen to your customers and stakeholders as they know what you are really about. Be confident enough to take criticism.

3. If you haven't looked at you mission statement in three months then bin it.

4. Get the mission statement out of the bin and see if it said anything important that you need to start doing. If not bin it again.

5. Audit your organisation's values based on actual attitudes and behaviour.

6. Don't be afraid to change your culture if you find that you have been tolerating negative values.

7. Engage your team when drawing up values.

8. Core values need to be few in number, precise, and practical.

9. Get rid of cliches and be distinctive (everyone aspires to be customer focused).

10. Write you core values with as few words as possible and use verbs - ditch the third sector jargon.