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How Performica’s Ethical Practices Shaped an Inspiring Workplace
In view of Perfomica being listed among the Top 25 Work Tech Vendors by Inspiring Workplaces, it may be high time we take a deep dive into the heart and soul of our team. In this post, we aim to unpack what we affectionately refer to as Our Culture.
Why are we spotlighting our internal culture right on the heels of such an esteemed award? The answer is simple: in today’s complex and rapidly evolving business environment, a well-defined culture isn’t a luxury; it’s a strategic imperative.
Winning the Work Tech Awards wasn’t just a nod to our tech proficiency but a recognition of a culture that fosters innovation, collaboration, and well-being. A company’s culture is its internal compass, influencing everything from strategic decisions to daily team interactions to customer engagement. It even has a tangible impact on the bottom line.
In this post, we’ll share the values, principles, and guidelines that make us tick as a team. We offer a transparent look at life inside Performica, how we make decisions to resolve conflicts, and why we believe this approach sets us up for long-term success.
Join us as we delve into the elements that comprise our award-winning Our Culture and share insights that may illustrate why we can help other organizations navigate the complexities of their corporate culture.
Importance of Mission and Values
One of the cornerstones of Performica’s culture is our not imposed or synthetic but crafted mission and our core values. You might wonder why so much emphasis is placed on these somewhat abstract concepts. The truth is, these are far from mere words on paper; they serve as our organizational principles, guiding our actions, decisions, and behaviors.
The Role of Our Mission Statement
Our mission is to “Make Work Awesome.” It isn’t just a catchy slogan; it’s the raison d’être for our entire team. It also aligns with our priority of putting the long-term needs of our customers above everything else — as we set it as our ultimate goal to make the work awesome for their teams, too.
Our customers aren’t just transactions on a balance sheet; they’re the community we serve and the reason we exist. When we encounter situations where short-term gains could compromise our long-term vision, it’s our mission that helps us prioritize the long game.
Core Values as Behavioral Pillars
As highlighted in Our Culture, we have a set of Core Values that act as our moral and ethical guideposts:
- Future-focused while delivering today
- Optimistic and confident without ego
- Kind, direct, and transparent
- Always learning and never complacent
- Don’t take ourselves too seriously
These values help us navigate the complex decisions that come with running a modern business. For example, our value of “Always learning and never complacent” is tied directly to the autonomy we afford our team members, a non-negotiable element for sparking innovation.
A Framework for Resolving Conflict
A company’s mission and values serve as daily inspiration and offer a concrete framework for resolving conflicts. At Performica, our mission and values act as tie-breakers when we find ourselves at a crossroads, torn between conflicting priorities or stakeholders. For instance, should we choose between our team and our shareholders, we will look to our core values to guide us. As Our Culture clarifies, our second priority is to support our team because a supported team will always better serve the needs of our customers, thereby ensuring long-term shareholder value.
The Guiding Principle for Personal Decision-Making
Beyond influencing company-wide decisions, our mission and values also serve as a litmus test for individual actions. Our team members have the freedom to make high-stakes decisions as long as these are in alignment with our mission and values. In this context, the value of “Kind, direct, and transparent” encourages us to operate with honesty and make informed decisions that contribute to our collective mission.
In summary, the mission and core values aren’t just lines in our Manifesto; they are the lifeblood of Performica’s culture. They guide us in good times and ground us in challenging times, ensuring that we’re always rowing in the same direction—towards a future that aligns with our vision, supported by a team that believes in what we’re building here.
Understanding Stakeholder Priorities
One of the critical aspects of Our Culture at Performica is the precise definition of our stakeholder priorities. In a world where competing interests often pull companies in multiple directions, having a well-structured hierarchy of priorities can be a game-changer.
Our Culture outlines this hierarchy as follows:
Customers: The long-term needs of our customers are our top priority. After all, they’re the reason we’re in business.
Team: Our second priority is the well-being and success of our team members. A happy, supported team translates into superior customer service.
Shareholders: Though crucial, shareholders come third because a company that delights its customers and takes care of its team is naturally positioned for long-term profitability.
It isn’t just a theoretical exercise; it’s a pragmatic framework that aids decision-making. When these priorities clash — which they inevitably will — this hierarchy guides us in making choices consistent with our mission and values. It’s our formula for aligning daily activities, resolving conflicts, and, ultimately, achieving sustained success.
The Significance of Team Dynamics
Teamwork makes the dream work, as they say. According to Our Culture’s “Focus on the Team While Embracing Individuality,” it’s not just about collective goals but also recognizing and celebrating each team member’s unique skills. A successful team leverages both individual strengths and collective power to achieve objectives. It creates a synergy that propels the team forward, making each project not just a task but a mission. We believe a cohesive team that appreciates individuality is more adaptable, creative, and ultimately successful.
Autonomy and Mission Parameters
Innovation thrives in an environment of freedom — freedom to think, experiment, and even fail. As discussed in “Freedom Within Well-Defined Mission Parameters,” Our Culture gives team members the autonomy to make decisions. It encourages creativity within a framework that aligns with the company’s goals. The balancing act between autonomy and guidelines allows us to maintain focus while exploring new ideas. This way, we continually evolve without losing sight of our core mission.
Transparency: A Key to Innovation
Transparency isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a pillar of our operational philosophy. As highlighted in the “Transparency” section of Our Culture, sharing information empowers teams to make informed, intelligent decisions that move the needle for the company. Knowledge is power, and when that power is distributed across the team, everyone has the tools to contribute meaningfully. This way, no team member is left in the dark, and the organization benefits from collective intelligence.
The Fine Balance of Directness and Support
High-functioning teams don’t beat around the bush; they tackle issues head-on. Our Culture’s “Directness and Support” section emphasizes that confronting challenges directly is vital for long-term team health. While it might feel uncomfortable at times, being upfront about issues leads to faster resolutions and stronger relationships. Addressing problems immediately prevents them from becoming larger issues down the line. In fact, embracing such directness creates a culture where everyone feels heard and respected, even during tough conversations.
Leadership: Not Just a Title, but a Responsibility
Our Culture outlines an upside-down org-chart to demonstrate that leadership is about service, not power. A leader’s role is primarily to support the team in achieving their goals, akin to a captain on an athletic team. As detailed in “Leadership and the Upside Down Org-Chart,” authentic leadership is a challenging but rewarding endeavor that involves setting examples, leaving egos at the door, and running towards danger, not away from it.
One of the most distinctive aspects of our culture, as elaborated in Our Culture, is the mutual trust and respect among team members. We reject the typical corporate atmosphere that can feel suffocating and instead opt for a more mature, reciprocal relationship with our employees. It’s not about rules; it’s about respect and trust, and the reward is a more engaged, committed team.
Conclusion: Living Our Culture Every Day
In a world where every company talks about “culture,” it’s crucial to walk the talk. At Performica, our recent win at the “Work Tech Awards” for Inspiring Workplaces isn’t just a shiny trophy; it’s a testament to how deeply Our Culture resonates with our team. From prioritizing our mission and values to fostering an environment that encourages transparency, innovation, and individuality, we’re committed to not just creating a culture but living it every single day.
Our Culture serves as more than just guidelines. It shapes how we interact with our customers, stakeholders, and, most importantly, each other. As we continue to grow and adapt, so will our culture, consistently to achieve our mission and serve our customers better.
It’s an exciting journey, and we’re thrilled to be on it with a team that doesn’t just embrace our culture but actively contributes to it. Here’s to many more years of innovation, collaboration, and success.