Turn Your Company’s Purpose into its Power Source

Goodles Mac and Cheese partners with the Hunger Task Force to donate and distribute food to 70 food pantries in Milwaukee County.

Hey Founder,

Many of the ventures I counsel boast truly exceptional cultures but harbor apprehensions about maintaining that magic as they expand. Are you one of them? If so, you’re in good company. Some businesses actually fear losing their culture so much they put the brakes on growth. It's natural for a tight-knit team of six, ten, or even fifteen to feel like a band of brothers. But what happens when that number swells to 30, 50, or even 100?

While I empathize with the uncertainty this narrative breeds, my journey of scaling cultures in rapid-growth organizations makes me confident that not only is scaling a great culture feasible, but it's also more exhilarating for everyone and profoundly advantageous for your company when done right. 

Scaling an extraordinary culture distills down to six fundamental steps:

1. Be Intentional: From day one, infuse cultural objectives into every facet of your playbook. Whether it's striving for a stellar internal net promoter score or conducting polls to gauge employee sentiments, set clear culture-centric goals.

2. Be Authentic: Authenticity is the linchpin of scaling culture. Define your core values early on, ensuring they resonate with every member of your team, from the numbers folks to the customer-facing champs.

3. Celebrate Core Values: Core values aren't meant to gather dust on a shelf. They demand celebration. Establish a core values program to honor employees embodying these values, fostering a culture where recognition is abundant.

4. Empower Culture: As your company expands, deputize torchbearers to safeguard your culture's flame. Establish initiatives like a Culture Club, empowering representatives from all departments to foster a vibrant cultural ecosystem.

5. Inspire Culture: If world-changing is your mission, offer avenues for team engagement beyond the boardroom. Whether through philanthropy or paid volunteer time, empower employees to make a tangible impact.

6. Reinforce Culture: Infuse your story into every interaction, reinforcing it with stakeholders at every turn. From monthly meetings to onboarding sessions, embed your mission and core values into the fabric of your business.

Remember, culture should be the heartbeat of your organization, pulsating with energy and inspiration. Don't let the fear of scaling culture deter your business growth. Embrace the journey, letting culture and business growth fortify each other. And know that we at ScalePassion are here to assist you along the way.

Sincerely,

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