What makes for good company culture? Generous bonuses? Top products? Snacks?
Answering this million-dollar question is even more important for event planners who rely on quality employees in a tight hospitality job market. Companies offering a positive atmosphere attract and then develop their prime talent. Suggesting, success requires an ongoing examination of what’s happening internally.
Fortune’s annual list of 100 Best Companies to Work for is defines a prime workplace as “one where employees trust the people they work with, have pride in the work they do, and enjoy the people they work with.”
Meeting and event planners often work for small companies, where affirmative culture is particularly essential—both healthy and unhealthy behaviors can spread like wildfire. Laying the foundation for a place people want to go each day might be easier than you think. Let’s uncover the main takeaways from Fortune’s list of exemplary workplaces.
Value and Invest in Your Employees
Making your employees happy really isn’t about the bells and whistles. Perks might help contribute to satisfaction, but ultimately there’s a bigger picture. Employees want to feel valued, as all humans do.
Notably, Fortune changed its methodology this year to keep up with a modern workforce. The original measures were trust, pride and comradery. There are now seven: values, innovation, financial growth, leadership effectiveness, maximizing human potential and trust. Central to these new metrics, is maximizing human potential, meaning how well a company creates a positive experience for every single employee.
The numbers reflect the new values as well. Fortune found that companies rated highest in a For All standard grew revenue three times faster. Therefore, companies that invest in their team members rather than constantly seeking out new talent are much more likely to succeed. Not to mention, they make the world a happier place.
Get Proactive About Inclusivity
Inclusivity should already be a central company value. Yet, it’s important to exercise, improve on and demonstrate it. Not to mention, millennials, who are currently the largest segment of the workforce, come in with an expectation that this value will be emphasized and prevalent. After the emergence of the #MeToo movement last year, female employees have voiced a preference for companies that are making statements and taking actions against harassment.
Take it from the leaders of the No.1 company on the list. Marc Benioff, chairman and CEO of Salesforce told Fortune, “The intersection of our values—trust, growth, innovation and equality—and our actions creates our Ohana culture.” Adding, “This culture of family is at the core of everything we do—including our philanthropy, spaces, events, products and Trailhead, our online learning platform.”
