8.0.3.2.4 – A Business: BHP Billiton

Version 1.2 December 2016                          (Previous Version)

BHP Billiton is one of the largest resource companies in the world.  We may be cynical about their motives for expressing these values, and dubious of their implementation.  But this is what they say on their web site (our formatting, our comments in italics) (http://www.bhpbilliton.com/home/investors/reports/Documents/2012/BHPBillitonSummaryReview2012.pdf):

We are BHP Billiton, a leading global resources company.  Our purpose is to create long-term shareholder value through the discovery, acquisition, development and marketing of natural resources.  Our strategy is to own and operate large, long-life, low-cost, expandable, upstream assets diversified by commodity, geography and market.

Our Values

Sustainability Putting health and safety first, being environmentally responsible and supporting our communities.

These all value Life, and they all require Truth (in analysis), Love (Compassion), Responsibility, and Equality.

Integrity:       Doing what is right and doing what we say we will do.

Doing what is right requires Truth and Compassion and Responsibility.  Being honest – doing what we say – is a variation of our core value of Truth.

Respect:       Embracing openness, trust, teamwork, diversity and mutually beneficial relationships.

Openness and trust are aspects of telling the Truth.  Teamwork is an effecting strategy.  Diversity is one of our core values.  Mutually beneficial relationships are an aspect of Equality and Responsibility.

Performance: Achieving superior business results by stretching our capabilities.

This is an effecting value, not a core value to the general public.  To a business, encouraging employees to strive is central to success.  Of course, it must not go to exploitation, and BHP’s  values are silent on that issue.

Simplicity      Focusing our efforts on the things that matter most.

A correct focus requires the Truth.  Simplicity is an effecting value, not a core value to the general public.  But to a business, efficiently attending to what matters most, is central.  It is Responsible to avoid wasted effort;  The more efficient production of goods and services promotes prosperity.  It is not the company’s role to focus on distributive Equality in the wider world.  This is consistent with the values of our reasonable way.

Accountability:  Defining and accepting responsibility and delivering on our commitments

This is a variation of our core value of Responsibility.  Delivering on commitments requires speaking the Truth.