Graphene has been practicing some values without formally articulating it since

inception. Graphene is
known for single status, financial integrity and other practices.
The effort towards articulating the values began in June 2002. Hari Iyer conduc
ted series of brain storming sessions during this period with a sample of GSS-ia
ns across the organization. The brain storming was to understand what are the
values that GSS-ians want to be practiced in Graphene. The responses were docum
ented and used for organization vision building in July 2002, which was facilita
ted by Dr. PK.
A value workshop was conducted in March 2003 were 52 GSS-ians(Band IV A and abov
e) attended. This was facilitated by ND, PB and RC. The objective of this halfday workshop was listing down five values that Graphene stands for. A checklist
of seventeen values (based on the work done in June 2002) was used for prioritiz
ing the values during the workshop. During this workshop a list of five values
came out as a consensus. They are:
Respect for individual
Excellence
Integrity
Customer Orientation
Innovation
Participants shared organizational stories (experiences) on practice of these va
lues. They also nominated six individuals to work on defining these values. Wi
th this the workshop came to an end.
A task force of eight was formed with the nominees by the large group and two re
presentatives from HR. The task force members were VH, SK, PKU, MSG, TKS, KG, PB
and RC.
The task force worked on developing the definition and the observable behaviors
for Graphene values. The task force deliberated on the framework, common unders
tanding, definition and issues of practice or non-adherence of these values. T
he task force decided to list down the values as observable behaviors than as a
rating scale. This was based on the understanding that practice of values cann
ot be on a continuum but a definite practice or a non-adherence.
Respect for individual is defined as a commitment to act with equity, to welcome
difference, and to
engage in open exchange about ideas and decisions.
We respect the individual, and believe that individuals who are treated with res
pect and given responsibility respond by giving their best.