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Work Hard, Play Hard: Entrepreneur Keeps Business Attractive To Customers & Employees

 

Medical Guardian is a Center City, Philadelphia-based provider of medical alert devices. Launched in 2005, the business caters to senior citizens and their loved ones with a mission to provide high-quality customer care and peace of mind for its customers. However, most of Medical Guardian's 100 employees are millennials, the generation that came of age around the turn of the century. This generation of workers grew up in a time of economic uncertainty and has the reputation, deserved or not, of being restless. Keeping these young workers engaged and dedicated to the mission presents a challenge, particularly when the product is one that these employees most likely do not use.

"Millennials are motivated by purpose," says Medical Guardian CEO Geoff Gross. "They want to know their work has meaning beyond a dollar value. They crave feedback and collaboration. It's important for them to feel invested beyond their job title." Gross selected his Market Street office space with the idea that he needed an open environment that fosters transparency, cross-collaboration and shared praise when individuals or teams achieve important milestones. He describes his company culture as having a "work hard, play hard" ethos. "After we deliver the highest quality of care to our customers and their loved ones, we celebrate by having fun! Whether it's making a music video in the office or catching an afternoon Phillies game, we're sure to have a good time on and off the clock."

In January 2016, Gross began holding one-on-one breakfast meetings with his employees. "Not only is this a great way for me to deepen my connection with my employees," says Gross, "but it also gets me pumped for the day. I feel energized, it fills my head with ideas. I can't think of a better way to start the day!" Medical Guardian holds weekly "huddles" and monthly company-wide check-ins to make sure "everyone is in the loop as to where Medical Guardian stands as a whole." Gross feels that his Center City location is another reason he is able to recruit and retain millennial employees. "We're in the heart of Philadelphia with easy access to public transportation. A lot of our team walks to work, so a centrally located home base is crucial to keeping our team happy and attracting new talent."

 

 

 

This article was written by Gillian Burdett of Examiner.com for CBS Small Business Pulse.

 

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