Think “great place to work,” and big companies like Google typically spring to mind. But across the country, many small businesses and nonprofits have built workplace environments and cultures that rival — or even outshine — the big names.
Moving is a tough, stressful business — one that few people plan to build lasting careers around. Gentle Giant Moving Co. plans to change that.
“We’re looking for people who want to come work on our trucks and eventually run an office for us,” says Larry O’Toole, the company’s president, who founded the business himself using a van rented from a friend.
Instead of hiring loads of summer help, Gentle Giant employs about 60% of its staff year-round. The company uses the slow winter months to hold employee training and leadership-development classes. And keeping so many employees around means the company doesn’t have to massively rehire and retrain each spring.
Each new employee completes initial training on company culture and hard skills like how to safely pack and carry household belongings. But training goes well beyond that: Employees — especially those looking to move into more-senior roles — are asked to complete soft-skills training on topics like customer relations, communication skills, problem solving and project management. Last winter, Gentle Giant hired an improvisational theater group from Maine to lead role-playing exercises for about 30 employees identified as emerging leaders. “We really emphasize that what matters most to us is telling the truth,” Mr. O’Toole says.
But training is only successful if you hire the right people. Mr. O’Toole says the company seeks out people who are especially energized about working in the moving industry — often college athletes who want a job that keeps them fit. Each Gentle Giant employee is given a free gym membership or a stipend to spend on membership.
Photo by Gentle Giant Moving Co..
No comments yet.