I have written about the importance of company culture on my personal blog and in other places but as we look forward to 2017 I thought it would be a good time to talk about it. Company culture is more important today than it has ever been. It does not matter if you are a 6 person plumbing company, or a 7,000 person printing company. I think company culture has always been important, but today it means more than just having a few core values printed on the wall.
The workforce is changing and businesses of all shapes and sizes must adapt as well. I was reading a news article this morning about how companies like Walmart, Ford, and Unilever are buying small start-ups. This Wall Street Journal article mostly talked about the fact that Old-Line companies are buying tech startups for growth. I think it has a lot more to do with the culture of start-ups that comes with these acquisitions rather than the actual revenue.
A few years ago, my last start-up OrangeSoda was acquired by a large 7,000 people check printer Deluxe Corporation. If you were to ask any of our employees at OrangeSoda what they loved about the company, they would tell you it was the culture. We built this company from start-up to a profitable company with millions in revenue each month in just a few short years. One of the major reasons why Deluxe Corp bought us was because of the culture we had created.
As we head into 2017 we should all look at ways we can improve all aspects of our businesses including the culture of our company. Talk with your employees and get their feedback. A strong company culture just does not start one day, it is developed over time. It can start by defining your company’s core values.
Here is a link to ours at FreshLime or you can see them below:. These values are not just for show, your entire team should live them every day.
Jay
FreshLime Core Values
One: We love local businesses
We put the Customer first in all of our actions and decisions. We build tools and solutions designed to help our customers grow. Our customers’ success is our first priority.
Two: We focus on results that matter
We measure and evaluate our success based on objective accomplishments. We value results above effort, vacation days or hours worked.
Three: We love who we work with
We are picky about the people we work with. We have very high expectations for ourselves and each other. We don’t hire people that are just looking for a job. We embrace each other’s unique personalities and have fun working together.
Four: We love what we do
We each take responsibility for the long-term success of our company. We take pride in the products we build, the customers we service and the partners we help. You will never hear “that’s not my job” from a fellow FreshLimer.
Five: We believe in open, honest communication
We tell it like it is, using crisp, straightforward communication. Sugarcoating is not allowed. We believe open and honest communication allows for real transparency and better work relationships.
Six: We take action
We move fast. We trust our instincts. We always drive aggressively to decisions that help our customers win.
Seven: We question the status quo
We constantly innovate and improve our products, processes, and technology. We listen to our customers, partners, and team members. We share our ideas and look for ways to push the envelope every day.