Walking the Talk: How Great Companies Codify Their Culture

Last month, I had the pleasure of meeting with our team in Houston, an experience that brought to life what it means to work in a truly human-centered corporate culture. It was a chance to connect with some of our folks on a more personal level and have a two-way dialogue about what’s working well in the business and what we can do to make things even better. I wore a pair of jeans and a jacket and set out to create a comfortable setting where people could openly share their feedback and ideas.?

Your frontline workers know your customers best and they will tell you what your business needs to do to succeed. You just have to listen. That takes an investment in time, trust, and communication. In a casual conversation with one of our team members that day, I learned about her hobby of refurbishing runners. She showed me her impressive sneaker collection—something we have in common. The discussion continued to how she appreciated our flexible dress code, saying that comfort and productivity go hand-in-hand for her. And although I love a good opportunity to dust off one of those blue suits I own when the situation calls for it, I can certainly relate to the sentiment. No one can do their best work in a tie too tight for their neck or heels too tight for their feet. This chat was more than just a discussion about clothing; it was a testament to how small, thoughtful policies—like your company’s dress code—can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. It’s moments like these that affirm our commitment to creating a modern workplace where our team members can authentically express themselves. It means something.?

Compugen Systems Inc. was recently Certified? by Great Place to Work? . This is one of those accolades that I take tremendous pride in, as it is a direct reflection of our team’s feedback. To us, it’s not just a badge of honor but a reminder of the importance of creating and nurturing a culture that puts people first. All companies are beholden to financial goals, but I’m proud to say these are only part of the overall picture of success for Compugen.?

If I had to step back and deconstruct elements of our corporate culture, here’s what immediately come to mind:

Listening + Acting

We make it a point to genuinely listen to our people and act on their feedback. For instance, after our first employee sentiment survey, we launched our 401k plan and made enhancements to our benefits program as a direct result of what our team noted was important to them.

Training + Career Development

I’m a firm believer that anyone, regardless of their formal education, can excel in their role with the right support. For instance, becoming a software engineer doesn’t necessarily require a university degree. By removing obstacles and automating repetitive tasks, we empower our employees to explore new opportunities and unleash their potential.

Empowering Frontline Workers with Automation

At Compugen, we see automation through AI as a means to unlock our workforce's potential. Our frontline workers, who interact with clients daily, are best positioned to identify areas for improvement. By automating manual tasks and streamlining processes, we enable them to focus on more meaningful work. This not only boosts productivity but also enhances job satisfaction and overall company performance.

Building Genuine Connections

We strive to break the mold of traditional corporate meetings, which often involve one-way presentations and financial reports. Our open mic sessions and management meetings focus on genuine two-way dialogues, where employees can share their thoughts and experiences. This approach not only fosters better communication but also builds stronger personal connections.

Celebrating Diverse Talents + Interests

Whether it’s a passion for sneakers, boxing, or personal projects involving drones (yep, we have some very talented people doing some very cool things here), we recognize and appreciate these unique contributions. These interests enrich our company culture and highlight the multifaceted nature of our team. By understanding and valuing these personal aspects, we create a more cohesive and motivated workforce.

Prioritizing Mental Wellness

Mental wellness and work-life balance are critical components of our human-centered approach. We understand that our employees' well-being directly impacts their performance and satisfaction. This commitment is reflected in our company goals, which include not only financial performance but also growth, employment, regional presence, sustainability, and democratizing access through technology.

One step at a time, but always forward.

I’m honored that our team in Houston afforded me that time last month. They’re the ones that make it happen every day. My job is to listen, play-back what I’ve heard, give sound clarity on direction, and make the necessary changes within the business. As we continue to grow and evolve, our focus remains on codifying our culture into a high-performance model. This involves setting key performance indicators (KPIs) backed by objectives and key results (OKRs) that combine financial performance with behavioral activities aligned with our value system. Our ultimate goal is to build a great business that prioritizes jobs and dreams. We believe that by getting it right with our people and investing in their development, we will achieve sustainable success.

At Compugen, we are committed to living our Mission, Vision, and Values every day. In fact, I rarely begin any meeting without reiterating at least one of those messages. Ensuring our team members feel heard and empowered is one way I believe we can continue to provide a Great Place to Work, as told by our people.