Have you heard of Barry-Wehmiller? Chances are that you have not. Barry-Wehmiller is a global capital equipment and consulting firm based in St. Louis, Missouri.
So what?
They are one of the companies I aspire my company to grow up to be like. Their story is compelling, I’d encourage you to check out their CEO, Bob Chapman, telling their story (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJiiK09jBFg).
What I want to talk about today is how Barry Wehmiller is known for its unique people-centric approach to business, and how they have successfully created a positive work environment by prioritizing the following factors driven by their leaders and managers.
Leadership: The company’s CEO, Bob Chapman, believes in the power of caring for employees and creating a culture of trust and respect. He encourages his leaders to develop strong relationships with their teams and empower them to make decisions and take ownership of their work.
Communication: Barry Wehmiller emphasizes the importance of open and honest communication at all levels of the organization. They have regular town hall meetings, employee feedback sessions, and one-on-one meetings with leaders to ensure everyone feels heard and valued.
Team Dynamics: The company places a strong emphasis on building strong and cohesive teams. They offer team-building activities, coaching and mentoring programs, and regular opportunities for team members to socialize and get to know each other outside of work.
Work-Life Balance: Barry Wehmiller recognizes that employees have lives outside of work and encourages them to prioritize their personal and family needs. They offer flexible work arrangements, wellness programs, and support for employees who need to take time off for personal reasons.
Recognition and Rewards: The company believes in celebrating employee achievements and regularly recognizes and rewards employees for their hard work and contributions. They have an employee recognition program and offer bonuses and other incentives for outstanding performance.
Opportunities for Growth and Development: Barry Wehmiller offers a variety of training and development programs to help employees grow and advance in their careers. They also have a tuition reimbursement program and encourage employees to pursue their educational goals.
Trust and Opportunities for Innovation: Leaders trust team members will share their gifts and talents and be self-motivated to act responsibly, with consideration for how their actions will affect others around them as well as their own work. Team members trust that their leaders will give them the tools and support they need to do their best work. This means the freedom to try things and make mistakes without fear of repercussion. When a partnership of trust like this is established, great things can happen.
Sense of Purpose and Belonging: The company is committed to making a positive impact in the world and encourages employees to get involved in charitable and community service activities. They also have a strong company mission and values that employees can rally behind, creating a sense of purpose and belonging.
By prioritizing these factors, Barry Wehmiller has created a positive work environment that fosters employee engagement, satisfaction, and loyalty, and has been recognized as one of the best places to work in multiple countries.
I’d love to hear what some of your “top 10” factors for a positive work environment are!