2/25/2019
After nine years on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, Salesforce, a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform landed the No. 1 spot in 2018. Cindy Robbins, Executive Vice President of Global Employee Success, credits their culture. Salesforce calls themselves an “Ohana,” which is the Hawaiian expression for family. As an Ohana of 24,000 members, one might think they would struggle to build a cohesive culture, but that has not been the case. Why not?
First, they are just as intentional about company culture as they are about their products. “Today, Ohana is at the center of everything we do at Salesforce. Our leaders champion it, our managers are measured on how well they drive it, our employees understand and embrace their role in protecting it.”
Salesforce is committed to building trust through transparency. All employees are kept up to speed on the company’s goals and visions, as well as their unique roles in accomplishing those goals. This provides team members with a sense of pride and ownership of their work. Constructive feedback is provided to keep everyone on track to success.
Giving employees purpose beyond profit is another one of Salesforce’s values. They adhere to a 1-1-1 philanthropic model, which has allowed them to give $160 million in grants, collectively volunteer for 2 million hours of community service, and provide Salesforce to 31,000 nonprofits at a discount or no cost.
Salesforce also focuses on championing equality for all, and they have been named one of the 50 Best Workplaces for Diversity for the past two years. They advocate for equal rights, equal pay, equal education, and equal opportunity.
Finally, the Salesforce Ohana puts a great emphasis on well-being. They recognize that quality customer care is a byproduct of self care. “Most recently, we’ve substantially increased our paternity leave and added mindfulness zones — where employees can check their devices and check in with themselves to find a moment of Zen in their busy days — to our workplaces.”
Salesforce believes in their Ohana, and calls it their greatest competitive advantage. “Our people are the force behind Salesforce, and the reason we have been able to make such a wonderful impact on our industry and in our communities.”
Sources: Great Place to Work and Salesforce Partner Slideshare