We are hiring outside AI consultants and developers to build custom workflows for us, but they do not seem to understand our business culture. How do we use our Core Values and Our Charter as strict filters to select and manage third-party technology partners?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Many business owners make the mistake of hiring technology vendors purely based on technical skills. If a partner does not share your core values, they will build systems that clash with your operations, fail to get adopted, or worse, compromise your business integrity. You must filter vendors just as strictly as you filter internal hires.

Before signing any contract, share your Charter and your Core Values with the prospective partner. Explain that you operate on principles of trust, open communication, and strategic alignment. A partner who is truly humbly-confident will appreciate this transparency and demonstrate how they align with your standards.

During the evaluation phase, ask specific, behavioral questions about how they handle project challenges and data privacy. If they give vague, overly technical answers instead of being open and honest, they do not pass your trust filter. If they try to oversell their capabilities without admitting their limitations, they lack the humility required to work with your team.

Once you select a partner, establish a clear meeting pulse with them. Ensure they participate in structured project reviews where issues are identified, discussed, and solved quickly. By holding your external vendors to the same high standards as your internal team, you ensure that your custom AI tools are built by people who respect your culture and protect your operational foundations.