We've all seen those lists in business journals and magazines--the top-100 best companies to work for in 2011. What exactly makes a workplace "great?" Today and tomorrow, Promotional Consultant Today looks at the seven hallmarks of a great workplace.
1. A clear mission and purpose for being
The very best workplaces in the world know what they are and what their core purpose is. They have a straightforward and concise mission statement that is readily understandable and enthusiastically embraced by each and every employee. Such great workplaces have carefully identified those factors critical to their long-term success (i.e. those services and/or facilities they must provide, and continue to provide, exceptionally well) and their specific vision for the future (what their workplace will likely be in five to 10 years). Great workplaces develop detailed action plans and accompanying areas of responsibility to ensure their vision for the future is more than some pie-in-the-sky dream; it is concrete, actionable, measurable and achievable.
2. Forward thinking, creative senior management and a caring, well-trained staff
No workplace can remain superior over any meaningful period of time without quality leadership at the top as well as a caring, well-trained support staff. At great workplaces, everyone from the president/chief executive officer to yesterday's hire are fully committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure the company's ongoing success year-in and year-out. Equally as important, great workplaces attract people from myriad backgrounds and with varying arsenals of professional and personal skills--talents that complement and enhance each other to the benefit of all employees as well as the customer base. At a great workplace, individuality is valued and cherished, but teamwork remains first and foremost.
3. Meaningful work
A great workplace allows--better yet, encourages--its employees to do what they deem meaningful. Of course, the term "meaningful" denotes different things to different people. What is meaningful work for a chief executive officer of a multi-billion dollar company may, but not necessarily, differ significantly from that of a solo entrepreneur working at home. Both can—or cannot—be genuinely viewed as meaningful work, depending on the perspectives of the individuals involved. Having said that, author Malcolm Gladwell is correct when he notes in Outliers that, for most people, work is meaningful when it is sufficiently autonomous, appropriately complex and has a perceived direct relationship between the effort invested (i.e., time on the job) and the accompanying return (i.e., compensation). Great workplaces offer their team members the opportunity for each and every employee, irrespective of their education, talents and experiences, to consistently do what they themselves perceive as genuinely meaningful.
4. Reasonable, understandable, and uniformly enforced work rules
Great workplaces have rules and policies that are reasonable, understandable and, perhaps most importantly, fairly and uniformly enforced. The rules and policies at great workplaces are neither capricious nor arbitrary. They are not written in language so arcane that anyone but a senior tax attorney can comprehend. Ideally, they are not written to prevent employees from doing something, but rather to set appropriate standards whereby all employees are assured the opportunity to maximize their potential. In short, great workplaces embrace rules and policies that reflect the core values of the workplace as well as the expectations of the employees and customers in a fair and logical manner.
5. An appropriate blending of tradition and innovation
While great workplaces are environments where employees devote a significant amount of time to improving current products and services as well as creating new ones, they are also places where tradition and continuity are highly valued. Longstanding products and services are not whimsically eliminated to the detriment of loyal customers; rather, they are continually improved as circumstances dictate to the benefit of all concerned. At great workplaces, all are aware and proud of their company's origins and heritage, its growth and evolution, its positive reputation in the community, its quality products and services, its mission for the present, and its vision for the future.
6. Open communication among all vested parties
Great workplaces have regular, honest communication between everyone involved with, and interested in, the long-term success of the company. Staff and customers are always kept informed of, and are encouraged to appropriately participate in, the company mission, vision, policies and procedures as well as any significant changes under consideration. In other words, they are given adequate opportunity to convey their ideas and suggestions to company leadership. Managers at great workplaces are unwavering in their commitment to "management by walking around," because they know that this time-tested practice promotes open communication and minimizes potential problems. Great workplaces typically have company newsletters, both electronic and print, that regularly and effectively communicate the various opportunities available to staff and customers in an accurate and timely manner.
7. Fiscal responsibility
Last, but certainly not least, great workplaces are fiscally prudent in the manner they operate. They have detailed, multi-year business plans that feature accurate income and expense projections, conservative cash flow estimates, sufficient funding for research, development, infrastructure maintenance, renovation and expansion and realistic cash flow projections. In addition, great businesses rigorously monitor and adjust their financial plans on a regular basis and as circumstances dictate. They know exactly how much money will be required to provide the quality products and services their customers want and expect as well the specific costs associated with them. The long-term financial well-being of the workplace remains a high priority in the minds of all concerned.
A great workplace, in summary, employs happy, productive and talented people who perform meaningful work compatible with the mission, vision and financial goals of the company. It takes constant effort and vigilance to be a truly great workplace, but the end result is well worth it.
Source: Promotional Consultant Today
Author: Norm Spitzig, principal at Master Club Advisors, is an internationally recognized speaker and club industry expert. His talks have been well received on six continents by numerous professional associations, individual businesses, club leaders and civic groups. His groundbreaking book, Perspectives on Club Management, continues to inspire and challenge business leaders worldwide, and his newer books, Private Clubs in America and Around the World and Murder and Mayhem at Old Bunbury, offer insightful and humorous looks into the private club world.
