Create a great atmosphere
When Russell ran into one of his employees, he was thrilled to
learn of her recent successes. The employee was a young woman
originally from Africa who was initially hired at a time when she
didn’t even have a college degree, but on this day that Russell
spoke to her, he learned that through the company’s education
program, she had earned not only her bachelor’s degree but also
her master’s degree.
“Talk about something that made me feel good,” he says. “She
gave me a hug like I’ve never had before.”
With more than 3,000 employees, Russell doesn’t see everyone on
a regular basis, but he still wants all of his people to know he cares
about them and wants to see them succeed, so it’s important to have
a great work environment that fosters that sentiment. When employees know you care, it will keep them with your business longer and
help you better create long-term success.
“Have a good atmosphere and you have an organization they can
grow in and continue to learn,” he says. “You make sure that if they
work hard and do a good job, they’re going to be paid well, they’re
going to have fringe benefits and have an education program.”
That education program that helped the young woman earn both
of her degrees is just one example of one of the benefits that the
company offers. If an employee earns all A’s, then the company
will pay for all of his or her books and tuition. If employees don’t
earn all A’s, they still receive a percentage from the company,
which decreases as the grades do. Employees can major in any
subject they feel will enrich their job, and they’re not required to
stay with the business after they graduate. That may seem like a
recipe for turnover, but Russell says other incentives keep them
there after they’re done with the education program.
For example, the company offers family events about six times a
year, such as a Thanksgiving devotional service, a Christmas party or
picnics.
“If you got a family situation, nine times out of 10, you’ll have a
better employee,” Russell says. “When you see people happy,
they’re going to be more productive and they’re going to be a better influence to have around you.”
The company also takes time twice a year to recognize employees for their accomplishments and give out awards, which come
accompanied with prizes such as televisions, checks or an overseas vacation. All of it is designed to motivate employees, and
Russell says that while it can be hard to know what will motivate
each of your own employees, it’s the motive, not the prize itself,
that will win them over.
“I’ve never missed the boat on recognizing people and giving people something that they didn’t realize they were going to receive,”
he says. “Even if you give someone a trip somewhere, if they don’t
want to use it, they can give it to their mom or father. When you
make a good genuine effort, you don’t miss the boat when you’re
trying to motivate people.”