Have a family atmosphere. People work hard, and they’re recognized for it. I try to run it that way but the bigger you get, it does get harder to keep that family atmosphere.
A couple years ago, one of the fellows turned 50. We had a surprise birthday party for him in Wilmington, N.C. We took the whole company to Wilmington. We’ve had Labor Day lobster festivals at the lake houses. The Christmas party, we’ve had it at my house the last two years, and we invite outside vendors and customers. We just hold them in high regard because they’re going to make a difference for us.
Don’t take your people for granted. We’re selling a service, and it’s our people. If you take people for granted, it just becomes a job to them, and they’re punching a clock. I called my employees at Thanksgiving — I called every one of them and wished them a happy Thanksgiving. Some years, I call on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, but I like to reach out to them and let them know I’m thinking about them and I appreciate all their hard work.