Culture and Values Will Travel

As time goes by with another eventful and successful year at Planned Companies, I am fortunate that we have been able to grow and expand into different markets across the country. This is no small feat, especially given this challenging time.?As I look back on how Planned has grown and evolved since I have been CEO, what hasn’t changed, is my excitement and belief in our culture, people, service and value proposition.??

During a meeting with a dedicated Planned team member who recently relocated to Florida to assist with our southern expansion, I began to think about how each market started. I reflected on the passion and commitment it took to enter markets throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and the West Coast.??The investment in infrastructure and the team to make our vision a reality.?And the leadership that we placed within those markets.

And with that vision, of being synonymous as a best-in-class customer service provider enhancing the quality of life for those we service, a systematic and disciplined processes is required.?To truly have the service maintained in a consistent manner, the team must be unwavering in their commitment to service standards and protocols.?How you hire, how your screen and recruit, how you onboard and orientate, how you train and develop, recognize and reward, engage and empower, must have the same principles, processes and passion.

Growing and expanding into a new market requires that you take the foundation that you established and replicate it, without compromising on the values, culture and service differentiators that got you there.?And as we all know, what got you there won’t keep you there.?You always need to be innovating, engaging, and inspiring, while never being complacent.?

I have learned along the way that one of the best ways to maintain and instill your corporate culture and values throughout the markets is to have leaders who get it, live it and love it. Many of our associates currently working and leading for us today have ?been promoted from within. And all of our expansion markets are being led by team members who have grown throughout the organization and relocated to ensure we live our values daily.?Building an infrastructure where team members can get recognized and move up and throughout the organization is invigorating and a big part of the success we have had with our ongoing expansion.

I truly believe that the culture we have created at Planned will be what leads us to success in these new and upcoming markets, and I am excited for our present and future clients and team members to experience the Planned Difference!