I was recently asked to speak to the team at Babcox Media. Bill Babcox is the third generation leader of this 93 year old print/online media company that targets the Tire/Fleet/Autocare markets. In my preparation for the event they sent me a document I have never (and I have done over 940 events) been given.
The Way We Do Things Around Here – clearly lays out they way they do things at the company – both behavior and accepted best practices. It reminds the long term employees to keep the bar high and not get away from what got them there. It also quickly indoctrinates new team members of what is expected of them – no guesses – no excuses! This is really helpful for the “Millennials/Gen Y” whose work habits have really been called in to question recently.
Putting this document together should be easier if you have a small company like Babcox who has about 80 employees. It can certainly work for a much larger organization too. Have a meeting and share the concept of what you want to put together and why. You can use what Babcox did as an example to follow.
I love #22. Look sharp, be sharp. When in doubt, err on the side of over-dressing. That is a simple way to state your dress code policy.!
Putting it together will be a process and it will be worth it. The document will evolve as you discover more best practices. You must make it your own to fit your culture and business model. Create it, communicate it and make sure everyone on the team understands and hold each other accountability. Let me know what you come up with.
