I decided to start PureSpectrum for two main reasons. Firstly, I knew there was a better way to sample. If I could bring together the right people and make the right technology, we could make life easier for researchers. Second, I wanted to be excited to go to work. I had never found the work culture I wanted, so I knew I had to build it. Going into our 9th year I am proud and humbled to say that we have developed a platform that makes getting the best quality data for the best business decisions easy. This platform and our growth is all because of our team and our team is a result of our culture.
We built a workplace I am excited to go to and according to the awards, our team feels the same way. This year we have received our Great Place to Work Certification for the third year in a row, Built In Best Workplaces for a second year in a row, Newsweek Global Most Loved Workplaces for a second year in a row and we are excited to announce that we were just named Inc.’s Best Workplaces for the second year in a row.
It’s an honor to receive these awards and be recognized amongst so many incredible companies. These are a true testament to the teams here at PureSpectrum and the work and effort they put into hiring, training, and building a culture that people want to be a part of. Each year has exceeded the previous with work towards creating an exceptional culture. This year we redoubled our efforts, because culture isn’t about feelings or perks – it’s about how we do things. It’s the environment and foundation for achieving success for everyone – our employees, our customers, and our stakeholders.
There are three key practices that have helped us cultivate an award-winning culture. These are things we work at every day and the work will never be done.
- Cultivate a Culture. We call ours the PureSpectrum Experience, aka PSX.
- Make Purpose and Values the Roadmap: A strong culture starts with a clear purpose. We’ve developed core company values and a vision that guides our actions. These aren’t just words on a poster; they’re the roadmap for how we achieve our goals. When our purpose, strategy, and culture align, that’s when success occurs.
- Embed Culture in Everything You Do: Culture isn’t a one-time thing. We reinforce it in everything we do – from written communications, to employee recognition programs like the “PSX Champion” award and how we work with our stakeholders. This constant reiteration ensures our values are truly embedded in the day-to-day.
- Build Connections and Collaboration: We believe in the power of teamwork. That’s why we create opportunities for connection and collaboration through team-building activities, in-person interactions, and learning & development programs. This fosters a sense of community and shared purpose, which fuels innovation and success.
- Hire the Best People
- Strategically Hire for Growth: Recruiting the right talent isn’t just about filling a position, it’s a strategic decision that impacts our overall success and growth. We have a structured hiring process to ensure we find individuals with the necessary skills, knowledge, and, most importantly, the right approach to work. This focus on the “how” ensures effective collaboration and fosters an environment where innovation thrives.
- Choose Cultural Fits: We go beyond just skills and experience. We look for individuals who resonate with our company values and culture. When employees feel a sense of belonging, they’re more motivated, committed, and ultimately deliver a better customer experience. Cultural fits matter.
- Empower Your People: Once we hire the right people, we provide them with the autonomy they need to do their jobs effectively. This level of trust fosters ownership and accountability, leading to higher quality work.
- Foster Open Communication
- Build Trust Through Open Dialogue: Transparent communication across all levels – departments, regions, and especially between managers and their teams – is crucial. Fostering a space for open conversation, regardless of the topic, builds trust and psychological safety.
- Understand the Power of Feedback: We believe in providing constructive feedback promptly. Waiting for annual reviews or worse-case scenarios, is a disservice to everyone. It’s not always easy, but open communication, with the support of our People & Culture team, ensures everyone is on the same page and performing at their best.
- Listen and Take Action: We actively seek feedback through various channels. This transparent approach allows leadership to understand employee needs and identify areas for improvement. While not every suggestion can be implemented, we take action where possible and communicate those decisions, showing employees that their voices are heard.
Culture is a living and breathing organism and above all remaining adaptive is essential. Conditions can change both slowly over time and sometimes all of the sudden as we experienced in 2020. The work is never complete and the project is never over. We know that maintaining a great culture is hard but it is worth the effort. I hope giving some insight into how we have worked on our culture will inspire others to invest time in it and in one another. Culture, when done well, has the power to improve organizations, exceed business goals, and change people’s lives. We spend much of our time at work, shouldn’t we enjoy being there? We strongly believe that employees who are fulfilled at work are happier friends, siblings, partners, and parents. PureSpectrum’s ethos is making life easier, and a thriving culture is a fundamental part of this mission. By creating PSX, we aim to simplify and enrich the daily lives of our employees, enabling them to thrive both professionally and personally.