Beyond Perks: The Real Reasons Why Workplaces Thrive

The other day, I stumbled upon yet another LinkedIn list ranking a hundred companies as the ‘best places to work’. What struck me was the reliance on compensation, benefit plans, and other crafted perks to justify these high rankings.

Seriously, when have you ever heard someone say, “The best part of working at Company X was that I made $X,000 a month and had unlimited massages?” The truth is, the moments that truly stand out in our careers—the most significant, the most interesting, the most beneficial to our long-term success and satisfaction—rarely have anything to do with money or perks.

Over the years, I’ve worked at various agencies. I’m a creative who is now a partner and head of HR at an advertising agency. I’m constantly amazed at how often prospective candidates feel worn out and uninspired from boring work, lack of autonomy, and the feeling that their employer doesn’t have their best interests at heart. Premium pay and benefits packages just don’t make up for that.

I’m not saying we have it all figured out at Outpost379, but our real-world evidence is pretty compelling. Since 2018, we've been gathering over 80 data points on our employees’ work experiences in the areas of strategic planning, empowerment, organizational culture, communications and teamwork, just to name a few; and benchmarking them against thousands of professional service firms globally. This has helped us understand what we truly excel at—not just what we think we do well, but what we really, truly do well, according to the only people that count—our staff.?

As an employer, you can’t be all things to all people. But knowing what makes our workplace special and making the most of it can be transformative. This insight has empowered us to articulate a passionate point of view about ourselves, not just in new business pitches, but in candidate interviews. And we can back it up with real-world evidence.

We’ve found, for instance that emphasizing the connection between employees and our agency’s goals, adds a sense of purpose that transcends the daily grind. We call it our Outpost Why. Outpost's Why isn't just a lofty ideal; it's a guiding principle that shapes our daily operations. We regularly communicate our goals and celebrate milestones, ensuring that everyone feels a part of something bigger. When employees can see the impact of their contributions and understand the broader vision, their jobs become more than just completing tasks—they become a vital part of a purposeful journey.

Soliciting and acting on feedback has been a game-changer for us. We actively seek out the thoughts and ideas of our team members through regular surveys, open forums, and one-on-one check-ins. But we don't stop there. We take this feedback seriously and translate it into actionable improvements, ensuring that our employees see real changes and know their voices are heard. Whether it's adjusting workflows or implementing new tools to streamline communication, we make sure that our actions reflect the needs and desires of our team. In a world where many companies claim to listen but fail to act, we hope to stand out by ensuring that feedback is not only heard but also heeded. We have found this makes all the difference in building a better workplace.?

Promoting diversity and inclusion rounds out our efforts. Cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued brings a variety of perspectives to the work we produce for our clients. We understand that a mosaic of backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints enriches our creative process. Our journey towards a more diverse and inclusive workplace is ongoing, and we are making strides every day. By fostering an environment of respect, we aim to ensure that everyone at Outpost379 feels seen, heard, and appreciated. This commitment to diversity and inclusion is not just a box to check; it's an integral part of who we are and how we operate.

I love my mandate as VP of People. Ensuring that prospective and current employees have a deep connection to those parts of the work experience that we know we are world-class at – purpose, autonomy, and a culture of trust and inclusion. That’s what healthy HR looks like to me. Even if we aren’t in the 95th percentile for total compensation, unlimited vacation days, or massages, we offer the right things to the right people—leading to active engagement, amazing work, and career progression like no other. And, isn’t that what a healthy workplace should be all about?

Article written by: Sacha Lai-Svirk , Vice-President & Partner at Outpost379