EOS Values

A Prized Asset

Values are an important part of the EOS self-image. They form the foundation of a lasting and successful corporate strategy success.

If EOS were a person, how would you describe that person? Modern or old-fashioned? Open or reserved? Can this person be trusted? What ideals does this person represent? When you meet a potential business partner, you want to get to know the partner as a person and find out if you are compatible. Especially in the financial services market with its hard facts and figures, a client’s trust in the expertise and reputation of the service provider is indispensable for long-term cooperation. Obviously, external characteristics such as the range of services, transparent processes and competitive prices are important criteria in choosing a financial services company. Today, however, the values of a company are nearly as important in distinguishing one company from its competitors. ‘The customer prefers a service provider, whether a company or an individual, whose values are similar to his own, because that’s something he can rely on,’ said Hans-Werner Scherer, Chairman of the Board of Directors at EOS.

Companies achieve greater success in the long term when they can legitimately lay claim

Companies achieve greater success in the long term when they can legitimately lay claim to sound ethical and moral principles and well-defined values embedded in corporate culture. In the past few years EOS has invested a great deal of energy in examining its own values and devising a brand identity for the entire Group. In light of all the other changes that had taken place, these steps were particularly important. The company is now more international and larger and its services more varied. ‘For this reason it has been very important for us that the core values of EOS – call it the “personality” of our company – are understood, upheld and reflected in everything we do in all cultures and markets,’ said Mr. Scherer. A code of conduct to guide us EOS stands for competence through focus and understanding. These two terms constitute the promise we make to our clients and form the core of our brand identity. Our Brand Book explains just how we put our promise into practice, how EOS works and how EOS employees interact with clients, debtors and each other. This book was published exclusively for all our employees in 14 languages and distributed in 2008. It explains the significance of the values of the Group and contains the pull-out Code of Conduct, which contains a set of binding guidelines for the work of more than 4000 colleagues.

A code of conduct to guide us

Not without our staff

This type of commitment requires consensus from the top to the bottom of the organization. Employees have to be able to identify with corporate values. After all, the actions of each individual contribute to the shaping of the EOS culture. The process of defining and implementing the values, therefore, began with top management and continued step-by-step to mangers in each of the EOS countries and then to every individual employee. The kick-off took place at Hamburg headquarters, where some 70 Managing Directors discussed values, their significance and cultural interpretation. The results of the discussions fl owed into our Brand Book. These values were then presented and discussed in local workshops so that each employee could grapple with the subject.

The Brand Book is a reflection of our analysis of the values we live and breathe at EOS. Our collective values are deeply rooted in the history of the Group, specifically in Deutscher Inkasso-Dienst. From its early days, DID was convinced that successful debt collection was based on cooperation and goal-oriented communication with the debtor. All current EOS companies share this view.

With head and heart

The core company principles have now been clearly defined in words. The brand promise of the EOS Group – focus and understanding – is reflected in the values of ‘open-mindedness’, ‘versatility’, ‘determination’ and ‘reliability’. We understand this to mean we at EOS focus on clients’ interests, find fair solutions with debtors and treat each other with respect. When all of these things happen, success follows. In 2008 EOS shared this conviction with the world when it unveiled its motto and vision in the words ‘EOS. With head and heart in finance.’ It is a clear and simple expression of the way the Group sees itself. Our shared self-image is the greatest benefit to date from the long but rewarding process of introspection and the examination of our values. More than ever before, we are intensely aware of the issues involving our ethical principles and brand identity.