An Article by Heather Oddo, Roundtables Member
Phill and I have been deep in preparation for our upcoming presentation at the Remodelers
Advantage Summit, and it’s given us a chance to take a serious look at something we’ve been
calling our MVPs—our Mission, Purpose, and Values. We renamed this from the traditional
“Mission, Vision, and Core Values” because we realized that the “vision” component felt too
passive. “Purpose” is active; it’s what we do every day. This wasn’t just a quick check-in; it was a full-on audit that reminded us just how critical these three things are to our business, our team, and our partnership. We’ve all seen the company trucks with a laundry list of values on the side—integrity, quality, customer service, and so on. But let’s be real, a lot of the time they’re just words. During this process, we realized our MVPs are so much more than that. They’re the engine that drives everything we do; they are the non-negotiables.
Why Our MVPs Matter to Our Clients
We’ve found that when our MVPs are clearly defined and consistently applied, they become our most powerful sales tool. Our clients aren’t just hiring a crew to tear out a kitchen; they’re hiring a business that operates with a clear, honest, and predictable framework. Our values guide every decision, from the estimate we put together to the way we handle a change order. This isn’t just about good customer service; it’s about building a relationship on a foundation of trust. And that trust is what gets us referrals and repeat business.
The Impact on Our Team
Let’s face it, finding and keeping good people is one of our biggest challenges. This is where a strong MVP truly pays off. As we’ve grown as leaders, our single biggest indicator for hiring (and firing) someone is now based on their alignment with our core values. When your team knows your mission and purpose, they can make smart decisions on their own that align with the company’s goals. Shared values, things like craftsmanship and respect, aren’t just abstract ideas; they’re the principles that create a culture where our people feel valued, empowered, and proud of the work they do. But what happens when someone on the team doesn’t live those values? We’ve learned the hard way that a lack of alignment in just one person can quickly poison the well. It creates friction, breeds resentment, and erodes morale. A carpenter who cuts corners on craftsmanship lowers the bar for the rest of the crew, and someone who shows disrespect to a colleague undermines the trust we’ve worked so hard to build. That one person’s actions become a representation of the entire company, and it directly affects the morale and performance of the whole team. For us, this means we can no longer afford to hold onto someone who is a technical wizard but a poor cultural fit. It’s simply not worth the cost to our team’s cohesion and our company’s reputation. This commitment to our values has not only helped us attract the right talent but also
made our team stronger, more unified, and more effective.
The Glue in Our Partnership
For Phill and me, this deeper dive was a powerful reminder of why we got into this business together. In the day-to-day chaos of running a remodeling company, it’s easy to get sidetracked. Reconnecting with our core mission, purpose, and values gave us a clear framework for making tough decisions and planning for the future. It’s the glue that holds our partnership together and keeps us moving in the same direction. So, as you’re building your business, take a moment to look at your own MVPs. Are they just words on a truck, or are they truly the core of what you do? We’ve learned that making them the latter is the only way to build a company that not only survives, but truly thrives
Are Your MVPs Fueling Your Growth—Or Just Words on a Truck?
At Remodelers Advantage Roundtables™, we don’t just talk values—we build businesses around them. Our peer group members understand that Mission, Purpose, and Values (MVPs) aren’t just inspirational posters. They’re the strategic foundation for hiring, leadership, and long-term success.
Just ask Heather, a previous Roundtables Meeting MVP, who’s living proof that when your MVPs are more than just words, they can transform your team, your culture, and your results.
If you’re ready to lead with clarity, attract the right people, and make smarter, values-driven decisions, it’s time to experience what Roundtables can do for your company and your future.