{"id":2138,"date":"2019-08-15T14:24:49","date_gmt":"2019-08-15T14:24:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/3.232.143.211\/?p=2138"},"modified":"2019-09-27T12:47:13","modified_gmt":"2019-09-27T12:47:13","slug":"case-study-in-how-to-drive-business-growth-big-ass-fans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.getswitchedon.com\/index.php\/2019\/08\/15\/case-study-in-how-to-drive-business-growth-big-ass-fans\/","title":{"rendered":"Case Study In How To Drive Business Growth: Big Ass Fans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Editor\u2019s note: This post was originally published in 5\/2017 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehension.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Big Ass Fans<\/a>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve got to admit that it IS a memorable name. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was in Lexington, KY a couple years ago, and I had the opportunity to tour their offices and product development area with a client of mine in the building industry who is one of their customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They used to be called HVLS, as in High Volume, Low Speed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not too catchy. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They changed their name after their customers kept calling and asking if they were the ones who made \u201cthose big ass fans.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They make them up to 24-feet wide and have some big ass goals<\/strong> to go along with their fans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a look at the strategy this company used to drive business growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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A company culture that WORKS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Their culture is not for everyone and maybe that\u2019s why it works so well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It attracts winners with a growth mindset who have the attitude that, once hired, they will effectively \u201crun their own business\u201d within the company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founder Carey Smith wants to build a company that will last. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

His plan is to become a 200-year company that always acts in the long-term interests of its customers, employees and suppliers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the ways Carey\u2019s company has continued to succeed is diversifying. They\u2019ve branched into lighting and they\u2019re now called Big Ass Solutions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To achieve this, Carey knows he must foster a culture that expects greatness \u2013 and I mean greatness.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Big Ass, their goal is to achieve 20-40% growth EACH year<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the expectation \u2013 and they\u2019ve achieved it year after year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that amazing growth is not a surprise. It\u2019s the status quo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s astounding, especially when you consider that most companies are happy with single-digit growth. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cultivating productivity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Carey\u2019s goal is to do what it takes to create the environment to have his employees be as productive as possible \u2013 a key driver for the company to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At their main building, they have a cantina with lunch professionally catered in each day \u2013 and the company subsidizes it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They have large industrial refrigerators so people can bring their own lunch, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus, they have an onsite store so snacks are close by, and free fruit stands are located throughout the building that changes with the season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If people have to go off site for lunch, it takes twice them as long as eating in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making provisions for employees to stay on-site is inexpensive, healthy and quick.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Think about which days of the week are tougher for some employees to get in on time? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically it\u2019s Monday and Friday, right? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Big Ass Solutions offers FREE breakfast when you arrive on time those days.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s a nice \u2013 and effective \u2013 incentive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A wide variety of coffee is free, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also have a game room next to the catina to give the team an easy way to have fun, bond and get the competitive juices flowing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bottom line is, it\u2019s a small investment to make the employees more effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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But that\u2019s not all.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plenty of bikes and helmets are available so employees can get outside for some exercise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help drive health and fitness, they run regular Fitness Challenges and give way valuable prizes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also offer employees discounted gym memberships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I toured the facility, I noticed that almost everyone was in good shape and the energy was easy to feel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to implement something similar in your workplace to drive business growth?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Innovation at work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Another interesting factor that stuck out to me was the lack of offices. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carey is the only one with an office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Big Ass Solutions utilizes more of a bullpen approach with cubicles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One recommendation I made to the company was to contact Workrite Ergonomics<\/a> and look into the latest Sit\/Stand desk solutions. I have had mine<\/a> (Solace model) for awhile now and love it! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also fight complacency by having many of the different job functions rotate every 9-12 months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know what you\u2019re thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

They only do it where it makes sense! No engineers get moved to accounting, for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sales-team style for success<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The sales group has their own culture for sure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I believe that celebration is a part of their secret to success, and in large part, drives their growth. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every time a $25,000+ sale is made, there\u2019s a fun energy  \u2013 and a little jealousy \u2013 in the sales area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each sales team has their own bell, gong or some other similar noise-maker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what happened when I was there and one of the teams got their sale finalized: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They played their jam song for about 15 seconds, approached the area with a little \u201cswag\u201d and then pounded the gong! <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were proud and everyone took notice and worked diligently so it would be their turn soon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s another fun way the sales team stays motivated: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When they reach their sales goal for the day, they open up the beer refrigerator after work and everyone can celebrate!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Caption: Big Ass\u2019 sales bell.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carey has done an amazing job of creating a culture<\/a> that expects and demands massive growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Big Ass Solutions simply does not know any better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can have amazing success and reach the growth goals you\u2019ve only dreamed of.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start by asking yourself these questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n