Page 74 - How America's Best Places to Work Inspire Extra Effort in Extraordinary Times

What Separates the Best from the Rest? C61

Rackspace, a remarkable company you’ll learn more about in
Chapter 7, has a unique culture typified by what might seem to be
an outlandish approach to creating a workplace where its employees,
called “Rackers,” love both the work and the environment. Rackspace
understands that the Universal Engagement Driver of job enrichment
and career growth is, for the company, a signature driver—particularly
critical to the success of the business. And Rackspace allocates tal-
ent and resources toward making this driver real and alive within the
company so it can authentically brand itself as a magnet for talent and
customers. As we will see, Rackspace implements that driver in its own
way, as an expression of its unique culture. Just as we all have our own
inimitable ways of signing our names—our signatures—Rackspace has
brought this key driver to life in a way that supports a critical customer
service objective, and as a result, the company has thrived.

:
Winning Companies Tooting Their Horns
What do kazoos, harmonicas, and trumpets all have in
common? Aside from being wind instruments, they are
frequently used by celebrants at the Best-Places-to-Work
events held each year across the United States and in the
United Kingdom. These proceedings are becoming an an-
nual rite for companies that embrace the charge of building
great workplaces.
But if you can get beyond the din of the noisemakers, you
will also notice quite remarkable moments. You’ll see top ex-
ecutives of companies laughing and being good-naturedly
teased by their entry-level cohorts. You’ll see seemingly
staid professional types hugging and sharing stories of how
fortunate they are to have found their “home.” You’ll note
a valued employee tearfully telling how her employer sup-
ported her through a difficult patch, which made her want to
return the kindness with increased dedication. You’ll hear in-
spirational speeches from leaders who know the real payoff