3. Weatherhead 100
If you work at Findaway World, which sells preloaded audio player devices to libraries, you’re not simply an employee, you’re a “findawayer.”
“From the outside, it may sound silly or off, but it means a lot to us,” says Mitch Kroll, co-founder and CEO.
If you want to know anything about the company, it starts with the company’s name.
“It used to be a reflection of who we are and a reflection of how we approach our business,” Kroll says. “At all times, we look to find a way to exceed expectations, find a way to really work in deep partnership with our customers, and that unto itself winds up funneling its way through the organization to this amazing group of findawayers who have connected well with what we do.”
But employees aren’t just called a cute name and that’s where the culture ends. Walking through the Findaway offices, you may think you are in Silicon Valley. When you walk in, you’ll see Starbucks coffee, bright colors everywhere and employees wearing shorts and flip-flops as you hear rock ‘n’ roll music.
“At the same time, you get a buzz that says while there’s a lot of freedom and individuality and open work spaces, there’s team together at all times,” Kroll says.
That balance of individuality with teamwork is important for the company’s success, and it’s not an easy culture to create, and it’s not for everyone.
“I remember years ago reading that any organization takes on the personality of its leaders, and for us, it becomes an embodiment of the leadership we have,” he says. “You need buy-in at the senior leadership level of the entire organization (so) that we walk the walk.”
So before Kroll and the other co-founders sat down to figure out what they wanted the company to do, they instead asked, “Who do we want to be?” They came up with seven core values, which are still lived and breathed today.
“We always said we wanted to be successful, but we wanted to do it in our own way,” Kroll says. “It became essential to create a meaningful place for a group of people to do their best. Above all our growth, we’ve done that.”
How to reach: Findaway World, (877) 893-0808 or www.playaway.com
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