We have just had the great pleasure of completing a couple of rewarding client assignments which allowed us to experience two of the most solid corporate cultures I have encountered in a long time. These two companies have completely internalized what it means to work there in a way that pervades literally every decision — both large and small — that they make.
For instance, one locally headquartered company that has been around for decades, but is still growing, uses their mission statement to guide every decision from the type of person they hire and the type of customers they will work with to what they are willing and not willing to sacrifice in order to grow. So confident are they in their value system being right for them that they calmly allow profits to FOLLOW values, rather than stating profit goals that may cause them to sacrifice what they hold most dear. And sure enough, their profit margins are near the top of their industry, which I think is a testimony to the fact that sticking to your overall core vision allows your company to be so “comfortable in its skin” that this leads to financial success through a clarity of mission that rings true to your customers and makes them want to do business with you as a result.
The other company is a professional services firm with a great reputation and considerable longevity within its employee ranks. In a recent strategic planning meeting with them, it was amazing to see every single person be completely ”of one mind” in expressing what is most important to them. It was one of the easiest planning meetings I have ever facilitated because they were so clear in their own minds about what drives them and what they need to be and do in order to be happy and feel satisfied with their work.
These are the types of companies that not only make us at Ackermann PR delight in our work for them, but also provide our community with solid corporate citizens that lead the way in terms of what it means to “walk their talk” every day, thereby creating very viable, healthy companies as a result. In the end, it’s all about the culture; it’s about treasuring what you believe in and seeking to make it actionable every day.
