It Is The Person We Become Along The Way That Matters Most

"I'm going to build a multi-million dollar company in five years." It seems a reasonable goal for an entrepreneur, a bit vague with many questions to answer, but a goal nonetheless. I know there are many ways that such a goal can be achieved...or not. I have worked in a few companies and seen how others do it. Work long hours, get your employees to work long hours, bill customers as much as possible, and look for change orders. But, it always seemed that work was about the money, which crushed my soul.

I enjoy having coffee and talking with customers and colleagues; that makes me excited to go to work and I get a lot done that way. But, of course, that is in direct conflict with being billable, as it seems you can't bill for coffee & conversation. But that human connection makes the difference on a project and in a business at large.

So, when I started Dynamic Specialties Group, I deeply desired to do it differently. I didn't want to build the same old consultancy focused on rigorous billing, overtime, and ringing every penny out of our employees and customers. Instead, I decided to make a company that enriched and enlivened our customers and employees. I believe the best way to create this type of company is by example. So, if I want our team to focus on the essential things with our customers, I need to focus on the crucial things with our team.

To that end, I decided to implement a 32-8 hour work week, unlimited PTO, a minimum living wage salary, and employee coaching instead of annual employee reviews. When we endeavor to improve ourselves, grow and develop our spirit, and attend to the essential things in life, we can be good for others. I genuinely believe that our employees must be the best version of themselves to provide the best service to our customers.

In short, to implement a Service-Profit model, where service is first, and profit is second, I needed to serve my employees first and worry about profit second. At the end of the journey, it is not the goals we achieved but the person we became along the way and those lives that we improved that will matter most. In this way, it will not be what we do but the manner in which we do it that makes the difference to our employees and customers.

Be well.