How standing out from the crowd is transforming Utah business culture

It used to be that businesses tried to attract employees that conformed to the company’s culture. A certain kind of employee seemed to fit the company’s image. Nowadays, that attitude is changing, and businesses are opting to attract talent who think outside the box and might not fit the company’s traditional mold, while still fostering an overall positive culture.

From free gym memberships to child care credits, companies are investing more in what employees needs as opposed to a one-size-fits-all mentality. Utah Business writer Nick Stagge spoke to several industry leaders about this growing attitude, and how it’s equaling a more positive experience as well as increased productivity.

How the differences are making all the difference

It’s not a stretch to suggest that a strong corporate culture stems from the employees as much, maybe even more, than the C-suite. The employees’ points of view, experiences, approaches to work, attitudes and individuality bring it all together, with leadership understanding that they need to take cues from what’s happening as much as what’s in a rulebook for good culture.

“In years past, the business world didn’t fully recognize the value that each person could bring to an organization,” said Dustin Qualls, head of enterprise business solutions for MX. “But as this recognition happens, companies are able to deliver value in ways they never could before.”

What a lot of this stems from is the changing tide in a business’s identity. It used to be that a company’s leadership was solely the face to the company. But now, staff at all levels often represent a company.

Levi Lindsay, cofounder of VidArmy in Utah, believes that asking a person to conform to a specific look doesn’t work as well in the modern business environment. In fact, it is frowned upon.

“It is reasonable to ask employees to present well, but to ask employees to present themselves in a certain way, creates a culture of submission, and borderline demoralization,” Lindsay says.

Ian Sagstetter, head of marketing strategy for Graphite Systems, agrees that this could even be detrimental to a business.

“To put it bluntly, I wouldn’t want to work with or for someone who discriminates against people based on their individualism, and the way they choose to present themselves through dress or decisions they make regarding their body,” Sagstetter said.

This type of recognition of a person’s unique vibe starts best with a company’s founders and who they hire as they progress in the business world. According to Michelle Najarian, marketing assistant at Colvin Engineering Associates, the value an employee brings as well as the understanding that “productivity comes in all shapes and sizes” is more important that over-emphasizing outward appearances.

Ditch the reservations for a better workplace

According to Lindsay, it comes down to what restrictions are placed on an employee as to whether the culture is strong. “If you want to empower employees to speak up and contribute without reservation, stop creating reservations. Perceptions are changed through attitude,” Lindsay says in the article.

That doesn’t mean that an anything-goes policy needs to be place either. As the article notes, there are larger companies with excellent corporate culture that also have policies in place for things such as personal appearance. The difference in how it is framed, less about the restrictions and more about empowerment to foster your own identity within a corporate framework.

Jesse Millgate, CEO of Millgato Designs, believes that different companies should also keep their own ways of doing business and doing right by employees when it comes to culture.

“Change happens and as we evolve, it’s my hope that walls and status quo of old will continue to be challenged, as we cannot get better and grow without the idea that anything and everything is possible,” Millgate says.

Solutions for Salt Lake City businesses and their checking needs

Finding the right type of business checking for you is also something that takes thought and work to make sure you make the decision that will best manage your cash flow and financial positioning. If you have a business that averages fewer than 100 ACH debits and checks per month, free business checking can be a way to maximize your time when it comes to these important pillars of running your own business.

The free business checking program at First Utah Bank includes no minimum balance requirement, and you can make unlimited deposits and debit card transactions. Free mobile and internet banking is part of the package as well. You can also rest assured that our free business checking program is FDIC-insured to the legal maximum.

If free business checking isn’t quite the right solution for your needs, there are other options including a commercial checking account that is good for higher transaction volumes and also gives you an earnings credit allowance based on your balances.

First Utah Bank can be your hometown solution for all of your business banking needs, giving you more time to concentrate on those all-important employees. Learn more at our business checking website, or call First Utah Bank at 801-308-2265.