When I started 123JUNK as a right-out-of college 23-year-old, I didn’t know the importance of a lot of things I do today. Like creating opportunities for employees.
Over the years, we’ve discovered that employees like to buy into the company they work for, and will work harder and longer if they:
1) Feel like their work is making a contribution
2) Have opportunities to grow and move up within the company.
The first concept wasn’t too difficult. We hold weekly staff meetings to talk about the jobs we do and the successes we have, and we reinforce the company goals and culture. During these meetings, we often hear stories from those on the front line: those who answer the telephones as well as on-the-truck personnel. Of course there are some gripes, but more often than not, our team members are surprised to learn just how much of a difference our little junk hauling service makes in their lives, both from our clients and the charity partners for whom we serve.
The second concept involves creating growth opportunities for our team members. Growth can come from a number of avenues, and we encourage personal growth by providing ongoing education and educational opportunities. Growth can also come from experience. We’ve also added a third element: a growth path within the company itself.
By viewing our company org chart, which is prominently displayed in the common area of our office, our team members can clearly see how they can progress through the ranks at 123JUNK, from trainees on our truck, to a team lead, to dispatcher, to manager. And we’re finding that they are excited about joining and working within a company that is looking ahead for their future and not just its own.
Even though we’re a local business, hauling junk in Northern Virginia, Maryland and DC, we are thinking like a larger company. We encourage all local businesses to think the same way.
