The level of attention and investment North Little Rock’s Welsco puts into its people is so impressive it’s attracted some unexpected resumes over the years.
“We have had customers who decided that they wanted to come work for us, because they see how much our employees love what they are doing,” said Adam Kohler, CEO. “It is very flattering and gives you an enormous sense of pride to lead such a great group of people.”
Welsco, a welding supplies and industrial gas provider serving six states, offers two popular programs named for best-selling author Ken Blanchard’s books Whale Done! and Raving Fans that regularly reward employee contributions large and small. Each month, Whale Done! awards recognize employees who have gone the extra mile for internal or external customers. Raving Fan bonuses go to all employees not otherwise incentivized in recognition of company success.
Kohler said the financial cost and effort of supporting such programs is miniscule compared to the benefits realized in employee morale and subsequent productivity.
“We have to make sure to do the right thing, even when that may be costly, for two primary reasons,” he said. “First and foremost, employees need to see that we operate with integrity. Second, they need to know that is how we have been successful for our first 75 years and what will drive us to continued success in the next 75 years.”
Kohler said the commitment and consistency of management and executive leadership has been a key element in maintaining employee loyalty. When problems or disagreements occur people understand they will get a fair shake from management, but it’s a relationship that must be constantly validated.
“We lead by example and we must be consistent all the way to the top,” he said. “The employees are looking for management to set the tone, and we can’t let them down. They have to be able to trust that we are there to support them. There can be no ‘bad apples’ or inconsistent treatment or they will never believe that you are sincere.”
| What Sets Us Apart |
| Welsco’s quarterly TEAM meetings provide a forum for representatives of each operational branch of the company to discuss issues in a face-to-face meeting with the owner Angela Harrison. The only requirement is each person outlining an issue must also come with a suggested solution. Everyone in attendance is given the chance to hear and weigh in on the issue being discussed and suggested changes are typically implemented immediately. |
“For us, a ‘best workplace’ is somewhere that employees can look forward to coming in to work every day. We all know that there is work to be done, but we should be able to have fun while serving our customers at the same time.” — Adam Kohler, chief operating officer
The impact of such corporate ethics on the company’s success is clear: not only has Welsco grown to 120 employees and retail operations in six states, but has done so while inspiring remarkable longevity among its labor force.
“We acknowledge employees who have been with us for over 20 years at an annual luncheon; that is now a group of approximately 30 employees out of 120. We have had several who have been with us for over 50 years,” Kohler said.
“We have created a culture where people want to be here, by remembering that employees have the right to choose where they work and how long they stay there. We want them to choose to be a part of our team.”
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