Never Too Big to Be Small

A winning company culture is a key facet of a successful business - so much so that it's part of the Community Champion Award in our annual IMPACT Awards (click here to nominate a deserving business before January 30, 2012). Tom Hatten (right), founder and president of Mountainside Fitness, shares his insight on the topic of company culture.

Day 1: I sat at the front counter ready to close the club.  I finished folding the last towel and got ready to clean the restrooms. I swept the aerobic room floor and vacuumed the 3,600-square-foot strength area. The first day as my own boss was big.  It was the first of what I hoped to be many. My team members - all 10 of us - believed in the business, liked to work and had fun.  Together, we built the company culture.

Now, on day 7,190, I’d like to believe the culture hasn’t changed, and I think a major reason we’ve been in business so long is that our employees have always felt empowered to express their opinions and ideas. A company culture might begin with its founder, but it can only grow and establish itself as the soul of an organization if - and only if - each team member feels they have a part in making it work. The mentality of thinking like a small team, even though we are large in size, is possible.  I believe my role – and any owner’s role - is to ensure all team members work together.

No task should be too menial for anyone to do, no idea too small to be unheard, and credit should always go to the team.  We’ve managed to do this for 20 years, and I’d like to believe that our culture is more vibrant today with 1,000 team members than it was with 10 in 1991.

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Mountainside Fitness
www.mountainsidefitness.com

This story, written by Tom Hatten is part of the Chamber's monthly Business Driver email. To sign up for any or all of the Chamber's monthly email communications, click here.To learn more about Mountainside Fitness, click here to see their GPCCTV video.