I spent 12 years working for one of the greatest companies this planet has seen. Southwest Airlines is studied by business schools around the globe. Their mission statement focuses as much on taking care of employees as it does on their customers. They are working on a near 40 year streak of profitability. Talk about betting on being in the black!
Some businesses create their own culture-driven market. Others participate in a market-driven culture.
Culture-driven markets attract people who share the same values and principles as the business. They attract people that seek meaning … to belong to something bigger. People who will take less pay in exchange for greater purpose. Culture-driven markets attract people who want to fight for their company and its profitability.
Businesses that have a market driven culture attract employees who seek as much as the market will bear. They’ll bolt when they find another bigger better deal out there. Their meaning is driven by money. Market-driven cultures attract people who fight for themselves and their profitability.
Invest focus on building a culture or spend money chasing a market? Both can attract great talent. One draws loyalty. Employees are expensive to lose. Customers are, too. Double-down on culture; bet on the black.
