Entertainment hand in hand with leadership
Hootsuite can no longer be considered a start-up company. However, it wants to keep the positive culture traits typical for start-ups (high level of energy, attractive benefits, and as little bureaucracy as possible). Although the company became famous for its culture based on fun, it has learned that the best talent want more than entertainment. "Beer and dogs will only get you so far," says Hootsuite SVP Matthew Handford on the corporate culture.
In an interesting article on HR Zone, Handford says that Hootsuite still holds staff meetings over beer and allows employees to have their dogs at work, but aims to create a working environment that will also offer top quality education and the basis for developing a successful career. That should help to achieve higher employee loyalty.
The company's priority is to develop Millenials who will represent three-quarters of the workforce over the next ten years. Several leadership development programs were launched. The "Stretch Programme", for example, allows high potential employees to spend one day a week in a new position for three months. After the program ends, they can start working in the position.
Individual development and communication
Besides managing corporate culture and benefits, Hootsuite considers it useful to make organizational changes in order to focus more on each individual. Employees are encouraged to share their ideas and achievements within the company. Open communication is one of the major keys to personal development.
Employee meetings with the CEO Ryan Holmes, who shares news about the development of the company's business, take place regularly. They are then published on Facebook every week so that everyone can take a look.
"We are at a really exciting part of our journey and it’s important to continue being forward thinking. With a maturing organisation, our task is now to develop leadership capability and individual skill sets globally, " concludes Matthew Handford.
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