TEDxLincoln - Jay Wilkinson - Company Culture
TEDx Talks・2 minutes read
The speaker shares their journey of being fired and rehired as CEO, highlighting the importance of people in building a successful company, and emphasizing transparency and authenticity in company culture. Through deliberate design and defining unique values, Firespring created a positive workplace environment, implementing daily values and fun activities to foster team spirit and employee satisfaction.
Insights
- People are prioritized over business plans and physical assets in building a strong company, as emphasized by the speaker's experience of regaining control of Firespring through new capital sources after being removed as CEO due to disagreements with investors.
- Building a positive company culture at Firespring involves defining unique, distinctive, obsessive, and enduring values, hiring based on culture fit before skill fit, implementing daily values meetings, and organizing fun activities and traditions like "Cinco de Mustache" to foster team spirit and energize employees.
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Recent questions
How did Firespring start as a company?
In the mid-1990s, Firespring began as Level 100 Communications, one of the first US companies to develop websites commercially. It operated from a basement with innovative technology for easy website modifications, setting it apart in the market.
What led to the speaker being fired as CEO?
Disagreements with investors and financial struggles resulted in the speaker being removed as CEO. This period of uncertainty eventually led to regaining control through new capital sources, highlighting the challenges faced during the company's growth.
What values are emphasized in building Firespring's culture?
Firespring defined unique values through a team exercise, focusing on values that are distinctive, obsessive, and enduring. The company hires employees based on culture fit before skill fit, emphasizing the importance of aligning values with goals.
How does Firespring deal with negative employees?
Firespring advises not hiring complainers by asking the right questions during interviews. If negative employees are already hired, the company suggests firing them immediately to prevent a toxic work environment and maintain a positive company culture.
What activities and traditions foster team spirit at Firespring?
Firespring organizes events like "Cinco de Mustache" and the "Fir Spring Putt Putt Classic" to build team spirit. They also host a Thanksgiving event where the company provides the turkey and staff brings sides, promoting fellowship and creating a workplace that energizes employees.
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