While a strong company culture can establish the foundation for success, creating and maintaining one in the workplace is tricky. We at Gorbel® have always held conviction in the value of community and have taken time over the years to create programs that celebrate our employees. These programs not only acknowledge the contributions of our team individually, but also strengthen the bonds of our Gorbel® family.
Monthly Spotlight for Those Who Defy Gravity
Gorbel® cranes literally help people defy gravity every day, and we believe that our employees bring this spirit to their workdays. Each month, our employees can designate any coworkers who have gone above and beyond as “Gravity Defy-ers.” All the Gravity Defy-ers earn a bout of notoriety with a spotlight in the internal newsletter and on our breakroom monitors. The fun does not stop there, though. Three lucky Gravity Defy-ers
are also randomly selected to pick out a piece of free Gorbel® merchandise.
When the program was first created, Gravity Defy-ers were named on paper slips, but the digital age brought the process online. One section of the online form asks employees to select what type of behavior their Gravity Defy-er embodies. Employees choose between Integrity, Positivity, Future-Oriented, and Extraordinary Customer Experience.
The Gravity Defy-er program is a vital cultural enabler at Gorbel® that fosters a sense of pride and motivation among our employees. By celebrating exceptional contributions and attitudes, all employees are inspired to strive for excellence, positivity, and innovation in their daily tasks.
Special Lunches to Bring Employees Together
Affectionately called WARM meetings, this cultural program has quite a history. When the company was in its the early stages, WARM meetings acted as an informal orientation for new employees. Specifically, newly hired folks would meet with
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established employees and our Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to get a glimpse of Gorbel® culture.
As time went on and Gorbel® expanded, though, it was clear that WARM meetings were becoming more cultural than informative. With so many new systems and policies at the company, it was time for a formal orientation. NEO, or New Employee Orientation, was created and WARM meetings underwent a transformation.
Today, WARM meetings bring all employees, new and old, together during their work anniversary month for a special lunch with ELT. Dave Pritchard, President & Chief Operations Officer, explained “These meetings have been around for a long time, but that’s because they matter. It is important that we take the time to celebrate the milestones and achievements of every Gorbel® employee.”
Many employees say their favorite part of WARM meetings is the chance to learn about the roles of other employees at our company. With hundreds of employees across many sites, it’s not everyday that our different departments and divisions get to interact on a personal level.
Today’s Culture and Tomorrow’s Gorbel®
We are very proud of our company culture and the programs that support it. Gravity Defy-ers and WARM meetings not only shape our culture, but reflect and reinforce our guiding mission as an organization – to Improve People’s Lives.
It’s important now more than ever that we remain committed to empowering our community and preserving our culture for the future. We are forever grateful to those who make our business possible, and we will continue to support the cultural enablers that reflect our gratitude.
Like what you’re reading? Visit the Gorbel® Blog in January 2025 to hear from our CEO, Brian Reh!