Today I’m going to write about something I experienced for many years, but then was reminded of this past weekend. See, this past weekend hubby and I went to a reunion of many of the people he worked with in leadership for an ice cream company called Dreyer’s (Edy’s east of the Mississippi.) The reunion weekend was created by my hubby’s boss because after many years of working together, the company was bought out by Nestles and as often happens then, the leaders left when the new company took over. The sale to Nestles happened about 20 years ago. I can’t believe it has been that long.
The cool thing is tho, is that before the sale, the company was run by two men who used a business plan that cared for it’s employees – ALL of it’s employees. In fact the ones ‘on the street’ were the most important people of the company because they had direct contact with the customers and with the store personnel. Leadership and other employees were ‘support’ for them. It was a philosophy that rang true in all aspects, by all who worked for the company.
There were other business philosophies stressed during those years: hire smart, ‘ready, fire, aim,’ ownership of job, and more. It was a way to run a business where the employee felt like it was his or her company. It brought on a feeling of caring for all, and for striving to do the best possible for everyone.
The company became very successful very quickly. It should not be a surprise. The ice cream was certainly a quality product but the people behind it loved their jobs and worked honestly and hard to make everyone a part of the success.
So, this past weekend – all these many years later – some got together to continue the celebration of the experience. They met up to see each other again and tell some great old stories. Most are retired. Some are getting up there in years. Some, like my hubby, are still working because they just love working in a way that reflects how Dreyer’s/Edy’s used to be. They have carried the philosphy with them on to new businesses.
When I was younger, and the spouse, I admit that it was sometimes a bit scary to meet up with his work people. But, with Dreyers/Edys everyone was friendly and happy. Yes, happy! Happy in their jobs – and the spouses were happy to support it too.
That experience was a wonderful moment in time, but it also showed how a business can run right. Quality product, believed in by the employees, and the employees treated as important parts of this winning wheel. Yes, money was made during those years – but lasting friendships were too. No hard feelings. Direct talk. Caring individuals from the top down OR as they prefer to say, from the bottom up.
Capitalism can work…. but not when it’s ONLY about the money. There has to be a big emphasis on the people who make it happen. Unfortunately too many companies do not get that. Too many employees in America work in fear of not doing well, of making mistakes, and then losing their jobs.
The Dreyers/Edys philosphy is now being taught at Harvard Business School. Papers have been written about the way they made it happen. The people who experienced it still talk about it, and hope to spread the belief that business and caring can go together.
I hope it wasn’t just an ‘unusual’ moment in time. I hope wise minds see the value. It makes sense to treat everyone within a business equally and to care about them, and their families (also stressed at Dreyer’s/Edy’s). It’s a shift in thought but putting people first in a company, CARING about them, can be done – successfully.
Marla’s Musings 