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Constitution
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Perhaps the greatest factor that separates Systems Engineering Services Corporation from other consulting firms is the "SES Constitution".
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We recognize our people care a great deal about the "culture" of our company ...
... in 1989, we developed a set of principles known as the "SES Constitution"
that helps define and preserve the culture of our company. This document provides
consistent guidelines for all SES employees regarding our company’s position on basic
character traits and values such as honesty, integrity, respect for others, and candor.
Through this constitution, every SES employee is challenged to express these values both
internally and externally with our clients.
The SES Constitution also addresses key performance traits such as responsiveness and
the ability to stretch, which we recognize as critical characteristics to our clients.
As a condition of employment, every SES employee must sign the SES Constitution as an
indication of their acceptance and commitment to support SES' values and beliefs.
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THE SES CONSTITUTION
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April 3, 1989
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We at SES feel it is important to communicate in a plain and simple manner
the values, beliefs and philosophies of the firm; what is expected of
each person, and in turn, what each person can expect from their
peers. This set of values is the generic methodology we will use to
accomplish our objectives as a firm. These values are the true
foundation of the SES organization. As we grow as a firm we must be
willing to change everything about ourselves except for these values,
for they are essential to what we are, not only as a firm but as the
individuals behind it. This Constitution is the vehicle we have chosen
to communicate these values, and hopefully, initiate a long,
prosperous relationship based on this commitment.
ARTICLES OF THE CONSTITUTION
1. Purpose of the Organization: "Creating Our Own Destiny."
The Mission of Systems Engineering Services Corporation is to become the
vendor of choice in information technology services for a select group
of Fortune 500 commercial companies by cultivating and developing our
most powerful asset: Our People! As an employer, to become a
firm so well regarded by our peers, respected by our competitors,
appreciated by our staff and supported by our management that we will
become known as the company where people prefer to work!
Our strength as a firm comes from our ability to focus on our client's
changing requirements and quickly respond with quality services, thus
developing a long-term win/win relationship. Our success will depend
on our loyalty to a share a common cause: Obsession
with quality, superior service to the customer, belief in one another,
and an open atmosphere of creativity and communication.
2. Equal Opportunity: "No Barriers to Success."
Systems Engineering Services Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All
personnel will be treated fairly and equally without regard to race,
religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital or veteran
status. Discrimination cannot and will not be tolerated in any shape,
form or fashion. We will provide opportunity to those who perform and
achieve company objectives and who support the values and beliefs of
this Constitution. These are, and always will be, our only criteria.
3. Flexibility: "Our Superior Strength."
As we grow together as a firm we must strive to be flexible in this
constantly changing environment we call consulting. We must be willing
to change everything about ourselves except for our basic values and
beliefs. We must be flexible enough to integrate ourselves into a
variety of data processing environments, as well as political
environments, at our client sites. We must be flexible when interviews
slip or project schedules slide and remain enthusiastic at all times.
We must be flexible and open-minded concerning assignments and
commuting to those assignments. This flexibility is the mortar that
holds together the foundation of SES.
4. Integrity: "The Most Important Ingredient of All."
Integrity is really very simple. It does not lend itself to compromise. It is
either black or white. It is not gray. It is the "gut feeling"
of doing the right thing regardless of circumstances.
Integrity at SES is not only required, it is demanded! As a firm we
will stand behind our people and the services we provide. We will
endeavor to do the right thing, regardless of the cost or consequence
-- correcting situations when we are at fault and offering solutions
when we are not. Integrity is the characteristic that will allow us to
grow together as an organization, together as friends, and establish a
bond that will remain long after the close of business.
5. Communications: "Clear and Concise."
Open, clear communication is one of the top priorities within SES. This is
one reason the organizational structure of the firm is so flat. Each
of us must endeavor to communicate our ideas and concerns not only
vertically, but also horizontally. This type of communication often
requires immense courage -- courage to face up to every situation, no
matter how tenuous, and talk it out. Every door at SES is open. Every
desk has a phone. Every manager has a pager. There are no walls to
inhibit communication except for those we create ourselves.
6. Candor: "The Essential Ingredient."
At SES there is no substitute for the straightforward, understanding use of
the truth. Candor within the organization will be the
characteristic which will differentiate SES from 99% of the companies
in business today. Candor should not be confused with bluntness or
coarseness, but it should be viewed as "applied" honesty. It
should be clearly understood that no penalty of any kind will ensue as
long as a person expressing a candid opinion is not blunt, coarse or
sarcastic and has brought his or her best thinking and talents to bear
on the problem at hand. Candor should become the rule rather than the
exception, both personally and professionally. Candor is the business
way of life at SES.
7. Politics: "The Unessential Ingredient."
When you practice integrity and candor in an organization, there is no room
for politics. Political maneuvering is rough and unnecessary in a
climate where candor and clear communication are practiced and
integrity is the rule. We should all strive to channel our energy into
communication and candor rather than politics. The bowing and
scraping, the nice, insincere manifestations of courtesy and goodwill
or other artificial mannerisms that stand in the way of effective
communication should be replaced by freewheeling, businesslike
concentration on goals and objectives, performance and results.
8. Performance: "Step up to the Challenge."
Challenge is the opportunity for greatness. All efforts at SES are judged by
stepping up to challenge, by performance and results. Results are the
true measure of the person, not "busyness". Compensation is
based on performance through the Peak Performance Program. Promotion
is based on performance, and it will come from within our own ranks,
if at all possible. It will become standard at SES to expect the best
from each other. This will tap the potential in all of us. Each of us
is capable of exceeding normal expectations. What the mind can
conceive, the body can achieve.
9. Innovation: "Mistakes Within Reason."
Without innovation a business regresses. At SES we foster an atmosphere that
stimulates creative innovation. This means innovation in people,
attitudes, values and goals, as well as processes and procedures.
There will be no penalties for "rocking the boat" at SES
for one's creative and innovative thinking. We are always open to a
"Better Way" as long as it is communicated properly. Do not
follow where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and
leave a trail.
10. Chasms and Bridges: "The Ability to Stretch."
The distance between two points, or the challenge of overcoming obstacles
lying between two points, is sometimes known as a chasm. At SES we
will encounter many chasms in our mission to build a firm. We must not
lose sight of the fact that in order to cross the many chasms we will
encounter, we must build many bridges. These bridges will be built by
the efforts of a select group of people who may be called upon from
time to time to "stretch" -- to give the extra effort or to
go the extra mile. Understand that opportunity and recognition within
SES will be directly related to performance, results and one's
ability to stretch when required.
11. Image: "An Obsession With Quality."
One of our goals at SES is to provide our clients with superior service,
thus developing a long-term relationship. Part of this service is the
image of SES and the people that comprise the organization. To create
this image we must first agree to live by certain standards of
excellence. We must all strive to achieve these standards of
excellence on an individual basis before the organization as a whole
can achieve the desired image. Only then, when the organization as a
whole exemplifies these qualities, can a clear image be recognized.
Since our work brings us into frequent contact with clients, prospective
clients, and vendors, our personal and professional conduct reflects
on both the organization and the individual. We must be obsessed with
quality in every aspect of our business. Our integrity and values must
be impeccable, our professionalism apparent. We must be consistent in
our actions and we must dress appropriately. We must report to work
regularly and promptly. We must observe our clients' policies and
procedures. We must do what we say we will do. We must provide
extraordinary service and communicate clearly and candidly the
concerns at hand. We must endeavor to do "the right thing."
Only then will the firm achieve the image of an organization obsessed
with quality.
12. Responsiveness: "Our Competitive Advantage"
Responding quickly, professionally and candidly to the needs of our clients can
often mean the difference between winning or losing an assignment or
an account to the competition. As a firm, we must be willing to drop
everything in order to respond to the unique needs of our clients. As
individuals we must maintain this exceptional level of responsiveness
at all times. Responding quickly and enthusiastically to rescheduled
interviews, shifting project schedules or changing staffing
requirements, conveys the image of a quality driven firm and can often
mean the difference between surviving and thriving in a
competitive marketplace.
13. The SES System of Quality Assurance: "Superior Service."
Our system of customer service supplies the client with an exceptional
level of professionalism and technical ability, combined with a
predetermined set of checks and balances, known as the SES Quality
Assurance Program. By implementing this system of checks and balances
the combined package of services provides the client with a superior
level of service, competence, professionalism and responsiveness. The
total responsibility of implementing this System is shared by the
technical staff and Account Managers of SES. Each has his or her
specific tasks to accomplish on a regular basis in order to
successfully implement the system. Become familiar with the SES
Quality Assurance Program. It's success depends on you...
14. Differentiation: "Creating Our Own Uniqueness"
The major factor differentiating SES from other firms is the people who
comprise the organization and their attitudes, convictions and
commitment to the values and beliefs of this constitution. An
obsession with quality can only be implemented through people.
Personal loyalties can only be developed through people. Long-term
relationships can only be built through people. Attitude truly is
everything in this environment. To our clients, our firm is only as
good as the people on the front lines and they are only as good as
last week’s work. To differentiate our firm, start by
differentiating our attitude toward customer service first.
15. Work Ethic: "Keeping Sight of True Priorities."
The work ethic at SES is different from most organizations. At SES we work
to live rather than live to work. This simply means that family,
friends, personal health, and enjoyment of life are recognized as our
true priorities. Our job is a vehicle to live the lifestyle we choose
for ourselves and this lifestyle should stress these priorities. If we
immerse ourselves in work without enjoying life, we will be lost as a
company and lost as individuals. This does not mean our jobs are not
important or critical to success, but that we should not lose sight of
the truly important things in life and if possible, merge our personal
and professional goals. We must strive to take our work seriously, but
not ourselves. Happiness is found in the journey, not at the end of
the road.
16. Management Responsibility: "Implementing the Vision."
The management of Systems Engineering Services Corporation is responsible
for the welfare of the organization and its people -- Not just as
employees, but as human beings and as friends. Their objective is the
long-term development of these people. They are responsible for
helping these people grow, professionally, financially, and
personally. They will endeavor to provide these people with a secure,
stimulating work environment with career growth and opportunity based
on performance. They are tasked with promoting clear communications by
operating in an open atmosphere of freedom, to share ideas and speak
one's mind without fear of reprisal. They are chartered with fostering
collaboration, implementing the team concept, and getting people involved
so extraordinary things may be accomplished. The management is further
tasked with leading by example, in all aspects of the business. In
their values, beliefs, image, and professionalism. In their competence
and credibility. They are responsible for challenging the internal
process and constantly looking for innovative ways to improve the
organization. They are required to change "business as
usual" and make that change enjoyable. The management is also
responsible for implementing a higher quality work life in which
everyone is treated with dignity, honesty and respect. They are tasked
with providing innovative and creative leadership and un-compromised
commitment to the values and beliefs of the Constitution. Management
is further responsible for constantly communicating a clear vision of
the future of Systems Engineering Services Corporation, and the
opportunity associated with that vision. And finally, the management
is responsible for providing the adventure of building a
company...and the challenge of building a reputation.
This Constitution outlines the foundational values of Systems Engineering
Services Corporation. Without your commitment these values are
worthless, and without these values we are lost as a company. I
acknowledge I have read this Constitution and agree to adhere to the
articles established above. I understand that signing this
Constitution and abiding by these values and beliefs is critical to
the success of the firm and therefore a condition of employment with
Systems Engineering Services Corporation.
| SES Management: |
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Employee: |
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| Name: | __________________ |
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Name: | __________________ |
| Signature: | __________________ |
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Signature: | __________________ |
| Date: | __________________ |
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Date: | __________________ |
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