Trust, loyalty, appreciation and transparency – these are but a few of the values that come to mind when thinking of the perfect company to work for. But how does one go about finding this ideal work environment?
Many of the world’s most successful companies (think BMW and Walmart) are in fact family-owned businesses – a model known for providing its employees with something quite special. When approaching someone that has been working for a family business for quite some time, you’ll understand what this secret ingredient is: An understanding and appreciation of people above all else. At Higgins Coatings, we pride ourselves for not only being one of the biggest maintenance and painting suppliers, but – above all else – a company dedicated to serving people by taking care of our own. One of our valued employees (and a proud, self-proclaimed brand ambassador), our New South Wale Project Manager, Shane Adams, shared some of his thoughts and experiences with us on what he loves about working for Higgins Coatings.
The family business concern is very evident at Higgins and makes you feel like a worthwhile part of the company
According to Shane, honesty is one of the most important virtues that Higgins tries to instill, - in both the way it approaches business and the management of its own employees. Shane shared that, as a Higgins employee, he strives to uphold this honesty, and finds that everything else follows from there.
“If you are honest and trying your best to make everyone happy – the client and the company you represent – this helps you to go the extra mile: a few extra finishing touches, going further on contracts, trying to make each customer a repeat customer.”
Shane has also noticed that working for a family business goes a long way in helping to secure repeat customers. His experience is that, if you can come across as being honest, and there’s integrity in how you approach projects — i.e. you do whatever it takes to ensure that the work done satisfies everyone involved - then customers tend to return for the same quality services.
Working for a family business gives you deeper insights into interpersonal relations – making for happy customers and a happy work environment.
Shane also shared that, in a family business, it is easy to see the effects that your behaviour has on everyone else, and how what they do equally affects you.
“This results in a strong ripple effect which encourages you to hold your own and ensure that you don’t cause undue strain or stress for the company by not giving your all on every project you take on.”
Collaboration is the foundation of the family business structure, said Shane. He believes that doing your bit for others, so that they are able to do their job, is paramount to upholding the Higgins values.
At Higgins, the line of communication from management is a lot clearer, and the decision-making process is more effective in a family business.
“My manager will have an open line for me to talk to him at any time about anything,” said Shane, when asked about the communication channels in the family-run company.
“If I’m on-site, and I see something that requires attention, I can talk to him straight away to tell him what I want and how we can work on it together.
According to Shane, there are very clear lines of communication at Higgins, which he feels is a lot more than can be expected from other companies. He shared that the company culture is akin to that of a family, in that, if you succeed and you do things, you get feedback directly from top management.
“When the top business leaders make the time to come and talk to you about what you’d been doing, express their satisfaction and tell you they’re proud of you, it makes everything worthwhile.”
As a family business, Higgins is positioned to provide the best quality services and understanding of retirement villages.
When you work in the retirement village environment you have to have a good idea of what the environment holds for you, including what you need to try to achieve in that environment, and how to do it without disturbing or upsetting people. At Higgins we try to do our work with compassion and with an understanding of who’s around us: Especially when working in frail care wards. Shane shared that,
“The people that Higgins employ have the ability to show compassion, and not just see a project as an opportunity to make money, but as a place where they are invited to work in and feel privileged doing so.”
These are the homes of the people in the retirement villages – not just a place to conduct maintenance and paint, and Higgins understands and respects this.
From Higgins’ company culture it’s clear that we are positioned correctly, and dedicated to helping look after the preventative maintenance of your aged-care facility. Contact us today to find out how we can see to your unique requirements.
Image credit: David DeWolf