There Is A Cultural Disruption Taking Place In The Silicon Slopes
Picture it…you find yourself at any university career fair, brimming with excitement at the thought of all the success that you are going to have in finding and hiring amazing people! Why? Because you have so much to offer! You walk into the big open hall and see row after row of tables set up from any given type of company with the same goal. You walk towards your assigned table, typically found in the corner that has dripping pipes directly above. You walk past table after table, each displaying amazing door prizes and swag. “Apply today and be entered to win a tablet and trip to the Caribbean!” “Apply now, and you and a guest of your choice could be whisked off to see Lady Gaga and Coldplay in concert!” What did you bring? Some three-year-old pens and pack of Chunky bars “Now with extra raisins!” Admit it, your stuff sucks. What has the competition done differently? It’s all about the branding. They sell their company as an unbelievable place to work! The prizes could be just a bi-product of a great company culture, but then again…they might not. You can stand out, even without the prizes. But therein lies the problem. How do you make this happen? What should you be doing differently? If only they would just stop by so that you can explain your awesome company! How does your company become the “Game Changer”?
The answer is found in something huge that is happening in South Jordan Utah! REYFYA, Utah’s first Outsourced Culture company is stirring up a storm of Biblical proportions. REYFYA, an idea ingeniously created by Jared Olsen and Blake Beard in 2016, is a company that focuses and thrives on one of the main issues that companies in the Silicon Slopes, and throughout the nation face…company culture. Culture has been a buzz word with many companies for the past several years and in 2015 Deloitte even stated that “Culture issues exploded onto the scene, rising to become the no. 1 challenge companies face around the world.” But in all honesty…when the word culture is mentioned, what do you think of? Ping Pong? Foosball? Hawaiian Shirt Day? You see, that’s the problem. That’s how everyone else sees it too. Culture is very misunderstood. REYFYA came onto the scene with the mission of helping companies understand the true foundation of their culture. It should be part of your brand. Sure, activities are part of your culture, but those activities shouldn’t define who you are as an organization. Founder Jared Olsen stated, “Activities do not equal Culture. That’s the common misconception. Culture is and should be recognized as your environment. Your way of being. The feeling that someone gets when they wake up for work on Monday morning. Do they have to go to work? Or do they get to go to work?”
Jared and Blake have been passionate about culture since 2004 when they first became LDS mission companions in San Jose, California. “We have always been interested in people. Not just in helping, but understanding who they are. What makes them tick? How can we make an impact on their life? We wanted to focus on the human side of business” said founder Blake Beard.
REYFYA wants to share their message with the world! Albeit slightly unorthodox and irreverent, their message is to start seeing people as people. Not solely as employees, simply the success or failure of your bottom line. “Break the red tape of bureaucracy, and stick it to the hum-drum processes of monotony. Do you know your team? We mean do you REALLY know them?”
It was because of this ingenious idea that Jared and Blake decided to start a weekly Vlog. “It was a way for us to get our thoughts and passions out to the world simply by opening YouTube on any mobile device or computer. You can create a living, breathing culture. One where people are excited and anxious to participate.” REYFYA’s goal is not to force you to do anything. They’ve seen both sides of the spectrum. Culture’s that happen organically thrive without the pesticides of bureaucracy. Cultures that are forced will do the exact opposite of your intended goal. Jared and Blake will tell you that they’ve seen it all. From companies that force you to eat in the lunch room so that you can get to know people. To companies that encourage you to eat alone, so that others can get their work done. There must be balance. “Once, I wore a pair of pants that were so tight, I looked like a sausage that had been on the grill for longer than it should have. Sure, I looked delicious, but it wasn’t exactly a day at the beach! Culture is a lot like that. If I force something, it may look or seem like a good idea, but at the end of the day if it makes someone/something miserable, it wasn’t the right decision. Just ask my thighs!” said Blake.
REYFYA’s vlog titled Cultural Disruption will be filled with unique, people driven concepts and entertaining ideas that will lend to helping you create a culture and brand that screams join in! Jared stated, “When you have a candidate come into your office for an interview, they should leave saying ‘I have to work here!’ That’s the true power of a culture. It should be visible and living. That’s what we want to help you create with our vlog.” If you are looking to ramp up, or even revamp your culture, check out REYFYA’s vlog. You will be able to see REYFYA’s vlog by visiting their YouTube channel. “We hope that this will be a breath of fresh air. No longer will it be death by Power Point or following specified rules. It will be us, simply discussing concepts and having a great time, so check it out!”
