Culture Care Technologies
  Human Resource & Organization Development Specialists in Company Culture

Case Study 38: Cultivating Company Culture and Pride

Excerpt

All for one. When it comes to building a better business, experts say fostering a strong culture and a sense of pride among employees are key ingredients.

With just over 60 employees, Adfarm is… considered a small enterprise…. Not only is AdFarm Canada 's largest agricultural marketing firm, it also ranks among the top five in North America and has earned numerous accolades, including rank among Canada 's Best Workplaces. According to Jose Tolovi Neto, executive director of the Great Place to Work Institute, …one third of the final score used to evaluate workplaces is based on a “culture” audit.

“As soon as you reach a minimum salary and benefit level, culture building actions are the most important aspect of creating a great place to work,” he says.

Where to begin? The hiring process, says Tolovi Neto. “Great companies not only hire for technical skills, they also hire for cultural fit. People with the right cultural fit normally require less time to adapt to their roles; colleagues feel more inclined to support them, and work groups tend to work more cohesively.”

AdFarm HR generalist Julia Cobb says at AdFarm culture isn't just an HR strategy, “It's how we live our agricultural brand and how we position ourselves in the marketplace.”

According to Cobb, AdFarm embodies a small town community atmosphere, where employess—fondly called ‘AdFarmers'—act more like family than co-workers.

Our culture is not one of charts and graphs; we tend to rely more on collaboration and common sense as the well spring for our solutions” she says. “Were more like small-town mechanics – innovative and in it for the long haul; we know the importance of building relationship, operating with fairness and integrity, and being creative with what's available. That's our culture, and it's what makes us different.”

The company works hard to build and maintain its culture. For example, the interior design of its offices in Calgary , Alberta and Guelph Ontario , reflect agricultural settings, inspiring belonging and purpose….

“Creating a unique working environment. is extremely important to our business success, but also to the enjoyment and fulfillment we receive during working hours” says Cobb….

Tolovi Neto says there are multiple benefits to building a great workplace. Among them, he says, “Individuals who see their work as special are motivated to work to their fullest ability, take a greater interest in the success of their department and of the company as a whole…".