IKEA: Our Heritage(ˈheritij)

IKEA: Our Heritage(ˈheritij)

The values and culture of Inter IKEA Group reflect the entrepreneurial(ˌäntrəprəˈno͝orēəl) spirit(ˈspirit) of Ingvar Kamprad. Our values have their roots in the Småland region of Sweden, where Ingvar Kamprad was born and grew up. It is a stony(ˈstōnē) and rather rugged(ˈrəgid) landscape(ˈlan(d)ˌskāp) where the inhabitants(inˈhabitnt) were often forced to get by on small means and make use of the scarce(ske(ə)rs) resources at their disposal(disˈpōzəl). Smålanders have a reputation(ˌrepyəˈtāSHən) for being thrifty(ˈTHriftē) and innovative(ˈinəˌvātiv), with a straightforward(ˌstrātˈfôrwərd), no-nonsense(ˈnänˌsens) approach – to problem-solving in general, and to business challenges(ˈCHalənj) in particular. This “Småland legacy(ˈlegəsē)” is built into the IKEA culture and values, all over the world.

In the practical(ˈpraktikəl) business world of today, this means that IKEA values encourage a constant desire(dəˈzī(ə)r) for renewal(riˈn(y)o͞oəl) and a willingness(ˈwiliNGnis) to make changes – always with a cost-conscious mindset, in all areas of operations. The values also imply(imˈplī) a willingness to try solutions outside of normal conventions(kənˈvenCHən). This means daring(ˈde(ə)riNG) to be different, while maintaining(mānˈtān) practical connections with day-to-day activities. Humbleness(ˈhəmbəl) in approaching tasks, and simplicity(simˈplisitē) in the way of doing things are also cornerstones(ˈkôrnərˌstōn) of the IKEA culture.

The IKEA spirit is based on a belief that no method is more effective than a good example. In the IKEA business, each co-worker is important, each has a responsibility, and only by working together (tillsammans in Swedish) can we really make a difference.

The IKEA values have proven to be viable(ˈvīəbəl) in an international context. They are one of the most important factors behind all of our achievements(əˈCHēvmənt) across many IKEA organisations(ˌôrgəniˈzāSHən). By keeping them alive and well-rooted, we will continue to turn future challenges into opportunities(ˌäpərˈt(y)o͞onitē).

Most things still remain(riˈmān) to be done.

http://www.inter.ikea.com/en/about-us/heritage/