In a niche business that relies on creative energy to stay ahead of the competition, a positive environment is the key to success. Especially in a young company, such as Pohly & Partners Inc, which provides customer communications solutions in the form of print and online products.
"The average age of our employees is 32 and turnover is expected and not viewed as negative," says company president Diane Pohly. "Our focus is to instill a desire in our staff to be intrinsically rewarded as well as extrinsically rewarded by focusing on providing quality service and quality creative thinking to our clients' problems."
And for those employees who do choose to move on, one of Pohly's goals for her employees is to take what they have learned while at Pohly & Partners and apply the creative and quality philosophies throughout the rest of their careers. Still, she says she's always concerned that her employees are stimulated and interested and that her firm can provide enough growth for them. "This concern is the reason we are investing in a strategic training plan and budget that will help us provide the staff with continuous growth opportunities," Pohly says.
For clients, the proof is in the product, where good company morale is reflected in the work produced. Inside the company, Pohly uses a variety of techniques to keep the energy levels high and the communication lines open. Employees are regularly asked for their thoughts on improving the business." Because we meet with clients, she [Pohly] hears from us what clients are looking for," says senior account manager Todd Conly. "We are basically the eyes and ears for the clients and we need to showcase that for Diana. She definitely hears that from us."
Efforts to foster a strong team culture include little hierarchy, close caretaking of quality group dynamics and open, accessible offices and conference rooms, including the managers' workspaces. "Overall morale is a key measure, and when it seems like morale and productivity have hit a low, we work to create something different to keep creative energy high and attitudes positive," says Pohly. "We might offer more employee recognition on an individual basis for a period of time or conduct an impromptu outing or other surprise to remind people that it is important to have fun while getting the job done."
Training is also a valuable factor in keeping staff members at the top of their game. In addition to formal staff-manager training programs designed to teach the entry to mid-level managers how to manage and lead effectively, Pohly & Partners also conducts monthly "brown bag" meetings wherein staff members spend one hour during lunch training on specific topics. All employees are eligible for training and specific skill-based training may be implemented across a group of employees, depending on needs.
Probably the most vocalized strategy for fostering team spirit is what Pohly calls the "WOW factor." Simply defined, the WOW factor is the company's way of measuring on a daily basis the ability to go above and beyond the expected. As Pohly herself describes it, the WOW factor is "To have an employee, client or valued business partner say, 'Wow, Pohly & Partners did something really well and once again I'm impressed and genuinely like working with this company and its people.'"
The WOW factor can be seen in the quality of the work produced. According to Conly, Pohly & Partners is considered one of the top custom publishing firms in the country, and it's the creative atmosphere that sets them apart. "We really do get that WOW factor here and that makes us excited," he says. "I'm not sure that other publications get the same reaction that we do."
And then there's the fun stuff. Pohly & Partners offers a special benefits package known as "Pohly Perks." These benefits, says Pohly, are designed to make every work week just a little bit easier through food, fun and special surprises. For example, Monday is free pizza day, while Fridays include free bagels and doughnuts plus an end-of-the day weekly staff update with wine and beer. Employees get their start date anniversary day off and public transportation to and from work is partially subsidized. Lastly, on their birthdays, employees receive a "birthday box" which offers a choice of gift cards to local stores. "My first Friday was such a surprise, and standing up in front of the staff and introducing myself was so much fun," says Elizabeth Noyes, PR and marketing specialist. "Immediately I felt the sense of closeness the team shares and now look forward to Fridays because I know there will always be something to laugh at at the end of the week."
These little extras mean a lot to employees, and help make the sometimes long hours a little easier. What's more, they bring the team together regularly to catch up and connect with each other. "We strive to provide a fun, creative and professional environment that's focused on honest communication, a commitment to the best service for our clients and personal and professional growth for our staff," Pohly says. "Ultimately, the best I could hope for from anyone who has worked at Pohly & Partners is that each person would say they enjoyed working at Pohly, that they learned a lot and that they created relationships that will last long past the time they were employed by us."
Company: Pohly & Partners Inc
Web site: www.pohlypartners.com
Industry: Professional services and marketing
Location: Boston, Mass.
Number of employees: 37
Sales: $10 Million
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