When brothers Seth and Noah Goodman started Northstar Recycling five years ago as a spin-off from a family business that was started in 1896, they wanted to make an impact. Not only were they looking to help the environment with their solutions to help companies with large manufacturing and distribution centers recycle more and landfill less, but they wanted to make an impact on their employees’ lives.
With accolades ranging from one of the 100 Best Workplaces for Women to Fortune’s list of 50 Best Workplaces for Camaraderie as well as achieving multi-millions of dollars in sales, these brothers know a thing or two about building a great business by investing in culture. Below are five of Seth and Noah Goodman’s top suggestions for building an award-winning company culture. Live core values Encourage open dialogue Practice impartiality Be honest Have fun From a “casual and comfortable” dress policy to a pet-friendly work environment, Northstar tries to make their workplace one that employees look forward to coming to.
They also provide cool amenities like an in-house barbershop, a continuous supply of complimentary snacks and beverages, a patio area with a grill and satellite radio for each employee. They also have quarterly meetings and an annual company party, where everyone participates in teambuilding activities such as scavenger hunts, square dancing lessons and painting classes. Plus, employee are also treated to monthly massages and an annual retreat in a fun, active destination to promote a fun and healthy work-life balance for their employees.