This week busybusy’s team visited Nashville, Tennessee for the World of Asphalt Expo. The atmosphere in Nashville was relaxed and very friendly. People come from all over the world to visit Music City, USA. There was live music everywhere you went at all times of the day. Most of the people we ran into had come to Nashville to pursue their dreams.
Culture: The Foundation
It was interesting to observe the respect and support that they had for each other, even though they were competing for the same dream. They can work closely together in Nashville because the culture supports that type of attitude. It caused us to reflect on the positive influence that culture can have on all aspects of life, especially in business.
Mutual respect for co-workers creates a positive environment that will allow your employees to thrive. When employees believe that they will have an opportunity to shine and then be recognized they tend to be more cooperative and supportive of company goals and objectives. Creating a strong culture and atmosphere is crucial to the productivity of your business. Culture is created and derived by the way you act, “Monkey see, Monkey do”. Your employees need to feel and learn the positive culture through your demeanor and actions.
“Employees who believe that management is concerned about them as a whole person – not just an employee – are more productive, more satisfied, more fulfilled. Satisfied employees mean satisfied customers, which leads to profitability. –Anne M. Mulcahy”
Creating this culture by treating your employees well will trickle down to benefit the business. Happy employees work harder and smarter, and happy employees increase customer satisfaction.
Security: Strengthening your Foundation
In your business everyone should know where they fall in the company, and what their responsibilities are. Whether they are the drummer, guitarist or vocalist. When your team knows where they stand, it leads to a more cohesive environment. When everyone knows where their responsibilities lie then they are more efficient and productive employees, the drummer will know his job is to drum. They feel secure in their position and will give you the very best they have to offer. When all the accountability falls solely on them, they are more likely to give their job everything they’ve got.
Set Goals and Share Them!
When everyone in your company has the same dream and the same goal, then you can move mountains together. They all will have different backgrounds and ways of doing tasks, but as long as they are connected to the same goal, then they will be able to act as a cohesive unit. Let your employees in on the vision and mission of your company. Let them see the bigger picture so they can walk to work each day ready to fight for that goal. These musicians all want to be discovered so they can make it big, yet they can still coexist with other musicians with respect, moving towards the same goal. It shouldn’t matter where the new guy is from or what he did before. All that should matter is that they ask “how are we going to reach this goal together?” on the job site. This type of mentality is what great business is built after.
