The Joey Company is a full service integrated advertising agency. Their team of research nerds is known for their ability to see what is obvious, but not necessarily apparent.
I sat down with founder Joey Cummings and posed three crucial questions about belonging:
1. Good brands are bought, but great brands are joined. Why do you think your employees join yours?
Coming from Chicago, culturally we have a Midwestern work ethic, competitive spirit and non-bureaucratic, horizontal structure. We’re an agency of doers, not managers. A small, lean company that offers employees an opportunity to make an impact, even at a young age. Team members have the ability to contribute to the growth of client business, as well as the agency itself. And most of the people here like the idea that they can play a part as opposed to just being a cog in the wheel.
2. The great workplaces of the world have soul. What do you do to humanize your culture?
Our biggest assets go up and down the elevator everyday. And there’s a sensibility and respect for who people are, and the nurturing to help them grow. Because we are especially dedicated to understanding consumer behavior and insight, the work we do is based on human nature. It’s the stuff Shakespeare is made of. For example, we are fortunate to work on brands dealing with tough, scary or embarrassing issues. These are the companies like Trojan Centers for Disease Control. The ones ready to deal with serious human issue the moment they occur. And as a result, talent is necessary for entry, but integrity and humility are the highest employee characteristics.
2. Belonging is a basic human craving. How do you remind employees that they’ve found a home?
First, we make sure we’re picking like-minded, value based and quality people. Next, working between two bridges and next to parks gives us a huge taste of nature every day. We also invest in creating a contemporary, artistic, feng shui workplace that makes people feel comfortable, at ease and considered. Also, in the past few years, we’ve landed really great clients who have been growing through some tough economic times, which allowed us to grow too. That’s what feels like a home to us.
Thanks Joey! Learn more about her team here.
