I’ve been thinking about my clients’ workplaces a lot the past few weeks. Working in the PR industry, I’ve become accustomed to asking clients the question, “tell me about your workplace – what makes your culture special?” This is a standard question in our industry and a theme we often play off of in our work with the media.
So why has this been on my mind lately? Because I recently finalized a nomination for Inc. Magazine’s Winning Workplaces annual award for one of my clients, global freight and logistics experts Primary Freight Services.
Primary Freight's LA Headquarters Team
The application was long, 7 pages to be exact. But the nomination questions were thoughtful and really got me thinking about what makes a workplace unique and special. The questionnaire included queries about workplace culture, growing talent within the ranks, team building exercises, and exceptions to the rule made for key staff. Primary Freight Services is a company that deserves to win this award, or at the very least be among those recognized, for a variety of reasons.
I’ve spent some time at Primary Freight’s offices, and one thing I’ve witnessed every time I’ve been there is joy in the workplace. The brother/sister team that has built the company from the ground up (John Brown, CEO, and Kathy Hogan, President) has created a very special environment for their staff. For example, this past year John decided to bring some healthy competition into the office and launched a company-wide Wii bowling tournament. Every staff member participated, from creating avatars to wearing wild-colored matching bowling shirts. Team spirit could not be denied.
The winning Avatar - and yes, they were all this good!
This was in large part done to battle the spiraling morale felt due to the crushing blow of the recession. Despite the business’s need to do a small round of layoffs and require all staff to endure a period of furlough days, team spirit runs deep in the veins of Primary Freight Services staff as a result of the on-going team building.
And as I learn more about each of the staff members, I am struck with their amazing stories of personal and workplace growth. Individuals that the company hired on a “hunch” or identified as “diamonds in the rough” are now leading divisions of the organization, and are viewed as leaders in the industry, thanks to the training, mentoring and quality supervision they were given.
Primary Freight Services is a company that really cares about its staff, and shows it through quality training programs, team building exercises and realistic goals, matched with public recognition and praise. I’m impressed by their workplace; it always feels good to walk down their halls.
So, think for a minute about what your workplace is like and what makes it special? These really are important questions to ask. I think we should all take some time to think about our workplace and culture, make changes to the elements that aren’t working, and celebrate the things that are!
Tags: culture, Primary Freight Services, team building, Wii bowling, Winning Workplace, workplace
February 2, 2010 at 3:24 pm |
Excellent post, Em, and welcome back to the HKA blog! I’m sure the nomination was a strong one.. I agree that having a great workplace culture is so important!
February 3, 2010 at 3:28 pm |
I really enjoyed the Wii Bowling Tournament that John organized for us – it was great morale builder for the staff. This offered us the chance to let go and have fun. The amount of laughter that filled our walls really gave us a sense happiness and comfort.
February 3, 2010 at 3:33 pm |
Shaun, I knew you were hooked on the Wii bowling when I was at your office one day, and we found you “practicing” over your lunch hour in the conference room!
That was awesome!!
February 5, 2010 at 8:31 am |
[...] Primary I was pleasantly surprised. Immediately, I discovered why we were voted “Best in the West” and why our company is recognized as one of t… The atmosphere inside the company is supportive, warm, and friendly. In our Town Hall meetings we [...]