By Mike Novakoski – June 19, 2013
Who wants to be treated like a commodity? In our industry, construction, we are often looked at as one.
Any company is as good as the next, right? Wrong!
There are, indeed, many similarities behind our company and the competition that would make one think we deliver the same product.
Corporate assets
In reality, there are two important and distinct differences that others will never be able to copy: They are your people and your culture.
When these two corporate assets are the best they can possibly be, the delivery of any project can be noticeably different.
Companies with the best people and culture can lead the pack in any industry.
It has been said that, “Culture eats strategy for lunch.” I truly believe this today.
Strategic focus
Ten years ago, however, it was a different story.
We lacked a thriving culture and knew we were not living up to our full potential.
We needed to adopt a new business strategy — a radical change that drove focus away from the client-centered delivery model we had for as long as I could remember to an employee-centric one.
This decision ended up being more powerful than anything we have done this past decade in an effort to improve.
One of our greatest discoveries along our journey to become employee centered was getting involved in the 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in West Michigan. This has been a game changer.
In future blog posts, I would like to share the details of our journey that has led us to be recognized on the list.
So if you’re feeling like a commodity, it’s time to do something about it. Make it all about the employees!
Stay tuned . . .