Intentionality is Key When Building a Strong Company Culture

A thriving company culture doesn’t happen by accident — it is the result of being intentional and thoughtful when making decisions about where employees work, how we grow and how we succeed together. Culture influences everything from how our 3,500 team members feel when they walk into the office (or log in remotely) to how teams work together, solve problems and celebrate wins, big and small.

As leaders, we must be deliberate about creating and maintaining our own company cultures, unique to each organization. A positive and strong culture not only fosters a sense of purpose but also strengthens performance, engagement and employee retention, which then leads to better customer retention. Team members who understand how their work contributes to the big picture are typically more motivated and committed to success. A healthy culture helps build trust and encourages people to share ideas and knowledge freely. When culture is actively nurtured, it directly drives innovation, productivity and resilience. It also plays a key role in attracting and retaining top talent, as today’s workforce seeks employers whose values align with their own.

Here at Arrow, we work on our culture every day and rely on our eight core values to help guide us in our decision-making, leadership behavior and recognition. Our leaders set the tone for the organization by working by example and setting the standards they expect and reinforcing those values consistently. We talk often about how best to keep our entire team connected and keep the “why” we do what we do in front of us. We also create cross-functional “Tiger Teams” that encourage teamwork and create solutions for large-scale opportunities.

We are very intentional about individual and team recognition at Arrow. We look for ways to celebrate catching our folks “doing the right thing, the right way, every time.” Whether it is a service professional or one of our administrative team receiving unsolicited feedback from a happy customer or a member of our sales team closing a new account, we will recognize that performance. Celebrating both wins and lessons learned fosters an environment where people feel valued.

When our team members feel supported, they are more engaged and loyal, which reinforces our culture even further. Finally, culture must remain dynamic. Gathering feedback, assessing engagement and making adjustments ensures that culture evolves with the company, staying relevant and meaningful as the organization grows.

Intentionality is the cornerstone of building a culture that lasts. When we actively shape culture, employees feel connected, supported and empowered. Over time, this creates not just a strong workplace, but also a powerful force that drives collaboration, performance and long-term success.

Emily Thomas Kendrick

CEO

Arrow Exterminators