Making Culture Matter

July 14, 2022

“You’re muted!” Two words that have come to define the Covid-19 era. To be sure, working via Zoom throughout the pandemic has both enhanced and detracted from our work lives. And keeping it from silencing company culture has presented one of the biggest challenges of all.

At Method 1, we have over 50 team members who live and work across 12 time zones and 10 countries. With people distributed around the globe, how do we foster a culture of camaraderie and inclusivity that bridges the distance? Here are a few of the ways:

SHOW GRATITUDE

We start each and every week with gratitude. We call it, “Cheers.” Cheers aren’t simply posted in a group chat, they’re shared live during our weekly Team Meeting. It’s an open forum for anyone within the organization to recognize team members who have helped them during the past week. It’s encouraged, but not required, to identify the core values that team members have put into action. Our core values are:

Be Passionate

Be Resourceful

Be Honest

Be Accountable

Be Knowledgeable

Be Proactive

We believe that showing appreciation lets teammates know they are valued and makes for a healthier workplace. And starting the week with positivity is a great reminder that we can overcome challenges when we tap the collective strength and experience of our team.

THINK SMALL

Like many companies, Method 1 has grown exponentially over the last 2 years. Which raises the inevitable question, “How do we keep our size from becoming a hindrance?” We’ve found that keeping teams small produces big results. We call ours, “Core Project Teams.” These are cross-functional teams of about 3-to-5 people with the autonomy and responsibility to move work forward.

At Method 1, we’re fortunate to have a wide range of disciplines to draw upon, including Programmers, Media Planners & Buyers, Account Partners, Communications Planners & Strategists, Project Managers, Creatives, Social Strategists & Community Managers. Working in small interdisciplinary teams breaks down silos within our organization, fosters an entrepreneurial spirit, and produces better work.

BE KIND

As we move beyond the pandemic into a new way of working, our hope is that we continue to offer each other the grace and understanding that saw us through our darkest days. Often, being kind is confused for being nice. We believe kindness is caring enough about the people you work with to share what’s working and what’s not. At Method 1, we keep it constructive with a focus on personal and professional growth.

As we rely more and more on technology to connect with one another, it’s important to remember that our shared humanity is what binds us together.

These are just a few of the ways that Method 1 is building culture in today’s dynamic business environment. We’d love to hear what you’re doing to keep morale high, retain talent and find new ways to work in the future.

Connect with us at [email protected]

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