In May we celebrate many things: mothers, graduates and the world of small business. This week the entire country and the Kansas City area especially celebrated the hard work and dedication of the people who start new businesses and surround them with teams that can make them successful. The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce honors these dedicated and hard-working employers every year through its Mr K award. Named for Ewing Marion Kauffman, who not only built a strong company but gave back richly to his employees and to the community, the award honors the best of the Kansas City region.
Boulevard Brewing Co. snared the Mr. K award from Kansas City’s Top 10 finalists, and celebrated with a toast of Pale Ale at the annual 2012 Small Business Awards Lunch,. But every finalist had something to contribute, sharing lessons learned with other companies. When asked to describe their company culture in one word and the best piece of advice they’ve ever received, here is a selection of how they responded: Hear more of the conversation at https://vimeo.com/43139449
1. Validity Screening
Culture: Progressive
Advice: Trust your instincts. If you don’t feel it is the right thing to do, go with a fall back plan.
2. Travois, Inc.
Culture: Honor
Advice: If you make a mistake, fix it. Don’t try to hide behind anything you’ve done.
3. TK Architects, Inc
Culture: Family
Advice: Get the work. You can figure everything else out.
4. Sys-Tek
Culture: Passion
Advice: Follow the Passion of your heart. By doing that you will follow your dreams.
5. Meers Advertising
Culture: Fierce
Advice: Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from poor judgment
6. John Beal, Inc.
Culture: Family
Advice: If you always listen to and focus on clients, encourage your team and keep your promises you will build a reputation for honesty and integrity.
7. Encompas
Culture: Entrepreneurial
Advice: Do it right or don't do it at all.
8. Cretcher Heartland
Culture: Collaborative
Advice: Attitude is a choice. Attitude is something that you wake up with every day and you can choose to make it good or bad.
9. Boulevard Brewery Co.
Culture: Continuous improvement
Advice: Quit looking over your shoulder and follow your own path down the road.
10. Arsalon Technologies
Culture: Fun
Advice: Always do the right thing for your staff and customers,