How Great Companies Help Employees Find Joy

I spoke to a longtime friend the other day. She was telling me how unhappy and unmotivated she is at the job where she’s worked for many years. She said once she starts her day and gets into her routine, she’s fine. But our conversation left me thinking about this question: What is the joy of working? 


I often think of her and wonder what kind of job she’d love to do. But then I realized it’s not the job—it’s the culture and ultimately, the company leaders she’s unhappy with. Company culture is one of the strongest forces for happy employees to stay with a company. Leaders are the ones creating the culture and delivering the message.


In Shawn Achor’s book, Happiness Advantage, he talks about the power people have to influence those around them. One of my favorite quotes from the book: 


“How many well-meaning managers shoot themselves in the foot when they remind those under them at work of their weaknesses? Conversely, when a manager openly expresses his faith in employees’ skills, he doesn’t just improve mood and motivation; he actually improves their likelihood of succeeding.”


A great example is MOD Pizza. Previous owners Ally and Scott Svenson possessed ‘The Four G’s,’ which were inspired by Shawn Achor’s book. They knew the world didn’t need more pizza, but instead, people needed a place to be themselves, do work that means something and earn money doing it. Ally mentions that almost daily, she would get an email about how her team went above and beyond to help others.


Their ideas can be translated into any company culture.

Gratitude

Showing respect and being thankful for opportunities. Business owners are here to serve others, and this fulfills the company’s mission of having a people-first culture. Hire people who will be grateful to have the opportunity to work in the environment you create. 


The Svensons set out to hire employees with intellectual disabilities or those formerly incarcerated. This strategy succeeds because these team members are already grateful someone is giving them a chance to succeed.

Generosity

Being big hearted and kind. Giving team members a chance to grow and being generous to them with time, encouragement, education and empowerment. When showing generosity to the team, leaders are creating an environment in which the team can pay it forward to clients. Clients are treated better because the team feels they are being treated kindly.

Growth

Keep pushing yourself as an employee and leader to learn more and grow personally. This results in growth for the company—employees will want to help customers and to welcome new team members.

Grit

This one is my favorite because so many leaders leave this part out. Shit is going to go wrong. It always does. Even though you will be challenged, you can’t give up. Choose another way to do something and have the courage to pick yourself up and try again.


The 4 G’s apply to leaders and teams. If we embrace them, we will start to ingrain them into our cultures. Even if you are in a situation where your manager isn’t practicing the 4 G’s, you can start and know that they are contagious. People will notice how you make them feel and pass it on. They might even start to love their jobs.

Our Latest Insight

The Pre Slow Season Checklist: Your Roadmap to Financial Stability

By Alisa McCabe • May 13, 2026
​Every business experiences fluctuations throughout the year. Some industries see demand surge during certain seasons and decline during others. While these cycles are common, the financial pressure that arrives during slower months can feel overwhelming without preparation. Strong small business accounting plays an essential role in navigating these shifts. When owners understand their financial position and take proactive steps before revenue dips, they gain more control over how their organization performs during quieter periods.  Preparing early creates stability. A thoughtful checklist allows entrepreneurs to review expenses, strengthen cash flow planning, and position their company to remain resilient even when sales temporarily decline.

Cash Flow Forecasting: Predicting Uncertainty

By Alisa McCabe • April 28, 2026
Why Predicting Cash Flow Can Feel Difficult Many entrepreneurs struggle with forecasting because business conditions rarely remain stable. Seasonal fluctuations, changing customer behavior, and market shifts can create unpredictable revenue patterns. Uncertainty often leads owners to question whether projections are even worthwhile. Forecasts that fail to match reality can feel frustrating, especially when unexpected events disrupt plans. The purpose of forecasting, however, is not perfect prediction. Financial projections help leaders understand potential outcomes and prepare for a range of scenarios. A clear picture of possible results makes it easier to navigate uncertainty with confidence. When viewed as a planning tool rather than a guarantee, forecasting becomes far more valuable. Using Scenario Planning to Prepare for Different Outcomes Scenario planning strengthens forecasting by exploring multiple possibilities instead of relying on a single estimate. This approach allows entrepreneurs to understand how different circumstances might affect their financial position. A basic scenario planning process typically includes: An optimistic projection based on stronger-than-expected revenue A realistic estimate using historical performance patterns A conservative projection that assumes slower sales or delayed payments Reviewing these scenarios helps leaders understand how much financial flexibility exists under various conditions. Planning for multiple outcomes also reduces stress when unexpected changes occur. Organizations that regularly evaluate different financial scenarios are often better prepared to respond to market fluctuations. Building Financial Buffers for Greater Stability A contingency buffer provides an important safety net when actual results fall short of projections. Even a well-constructed forecast cannot eliminate every risk, which makes financial reserves an essential part of planning. Cash reserves allow businesses to maintain operations during slower periods or unexpected disruptions. These funds may cover payroll, vendor obligations, or essential operating expenses when revenue temporarily declines. Creating a financial buffer usually requires consistent discipline. Setting aside a portion of profits during strong months can gradually build a reserve that strengthens stability. Having this cushion reduces pressure and gives leaders more time to make thoughtful decisions when challenges arise. Creating Flexible Spending Frameworks Forecasting works best when spending plans remain adaptable. A rigid budget can become problematic if revenue changes significantly throughout the year. Flexible financial frameworks allow owners to adjust spending as actual results unfold. Certain expenses may remain fixed, while others can be scaled based on performance. Several practices support this flexibility: Prioritizing essential operating costs before discretionary spending Delaying non-critical investments until revenue targets are achieved Reviewing financial performance regularly to guide adjustments This approach helps organizations remain responsive to real conditions rather than relying solely on early projections. Build Stronger Financial Clarity for Your Business Forecasting uncertainty becomes far more manageable when supported by accurate financial records and clear reporting. Reliable financial data allows entrepreneurs to create realistic projections and evaluate how their organizations are performing throughout the year. First Steps Financial helps business owners strengthen their financial visibility through fractional bookkeeping and financial consultation services that support effective cash flow forecasting. Organized records and thoughtful analysis allow leaders to plan ahead while remaining flexible as conditions evolve. If you want greater confidence in your financial planning and support building stronger cash flow forecasts, reach out to First Steps Financial today to start the conversation.

Five Summertime Strategies for 2026

By Alisa McCabe • April 21, 2026
Here are five business strategies to help you regroup, reassess, and rejuvenate your business halfway through 2026. Celebrate Your Accomplishments Take time to pat yourself on the back and congratulate the people around you for the goals you’ve reached and the efforts your team has made on your behalf. You might be shocked when you think about how far you’ve come. Maybe you’ve hired another team member and your team is the largest it’s ever been; perhaps you’ve reached record revenue goals; possibly you’ve solved a complex supply chain problem. We all could use more praise and more celebrations in our lives. Perhaps you can organize a party, or if you are not the partying type, a quiet word individually with your team can go a long way, maybe more than you know. Take a Vacation If you’re feeling quite burned out, the best thing you can do is stop and take a breather. There’s nothing better to rekindle your creative juices than to get away from the business for a while. Summertime is when most people take a vacation, so if your business is not having its busy season, this might be a good time to go away, even if for a little while. If you’re anxious about being away from your business, you’re not alone. In your annual planning process, plan for and block out your vacation way ahead of time. Book the reservations with no refunds several months in advance so that you won’t chicken out at the last minute. There is life beyond your business, and you will be a better business owner when you take regular breaks away. Schedule a Mid-Year Review How has your business fared for the first half of 2026 compared to the goals you set at the beginning of the year? Are you on track to reach your goals? Should you design a course correction or are you on track? Maybe you’re even ahead of plan! You can make this process as informal or formal as you want. Some businesses hold retreats; you may simply need some quiet time on a weekend when all your family is busy doing something else. Be Selective About the Projects You Start Is your plate too full? Entrepreneurs that wear many hats would probably say “yes” to that question, so the next question is do you have to do it all at once? Ask yourself what you can afford to stop doing that doesn’t make sense. Is there a project or two that can wait? If so, decide to stop stressing about not getting it done and give yourself permission to put it on the back burner for now. Play Big Maybe you’re not playing big enough. You might be busy, but are you busy with the things that will take your business to the next level? Do the thing you’re afraid to say “yes” to; the thing that you know will transform your business and get you closer to your dreams. If you’re putting off a project that you know will pay back handsomely, then shelve everything you’re working on and start on the one that will reap the most rewards. It could be a new product or service line, a new ad campaign, a new hire, a new joint venture, new financing, or even a new partner, which is very big indeed. You likely know what it is you need to do; your gut has been telling you for a while now. Just get it started, and it will then become easier. Summertime is a great time to regroup, re-energize, and refresh your business. Try one of these five tips to spice up your summer as well as your business success.

CONTACT US

Contact Us