How to Become a People-First Company

]A people-first company motivates its employees to achieve their highest potential. Authenticity, communication and celebration are cornerstones of the people-first philosophy, encouraging everyone at the company to reach peak performance. When your people feel valued, they’re inspired to become the best versions of themselves, and in turn, yield outstanding results for your clients.

Since its founding in 1962, Kaufman Rossin has embraced a people-first approach. James Kaufman and Jay Rossin built the firm on the core values of integrity, fairness, social responsibility and joy at work.

Fifty-five years later, the firm’s culture remains true to its origin. Kaufman Rossin upholds these core values every day, and strives to challenge and fulfill its employees with various initiatives.

According to Jack Lannom, award-winning author and founder and CEO of People First International, employees are a business’ most valuable asset and greatest competitive advantage. Lannom shared insights from his latest book at Kaufman Rossin’s year-end seminar, and many of his suggestions echoed the firm’s long-standing values.

Learn to put employees first

So, how do you become a people-first company? Here are some suggestions Lannom shared at the seminar:

1. Leaders must dedicate energy and attention to their staff, providing resources to sharpen their skills and keep their minds active.
2. Profit should be secondary to your people’s well-being. “If you want profits to grow, then grow people first,” Lannom said, stressing the importance of cultivating purpose, passion and potential.
3. Celebrate and recognize your team whenever possible. An overly critical culture only stunts your employees’ growth.

People-first strategies

“Philosophy precedes performance,” Lannom said. Businesses must first comprehend and adopt people-first strategies before seeing positive changes in company culture that can ultimately lead to improved performance, growth and success.

For example, Kaufman Rossin University provides leadership training and educational opportunities to stimulate career advancement. To maintain work-life balance and spur healthy behaviors, the firm hosts nutrition seminars, yoga classes and more. In return, Kaufman Rossin’s employees are challenged, fulfilled and motivated to provide the best possible service for clients.

As a testament to the firm’s people-first culture, the South Florida Business Journal has recognized Kaufman Rossin as a “Best Place to Work”  11 times, including first-place honors in 2017.

If you want your company to be a leader in your industry, remember to put your employees first.