Executive Focus: Three More Keys to Growing Your Company the Old-fashioned Way

Take a look at a company like SYSCO, the largest wholesale food distribution business in the United States. SYSCO has infused its employees — from truck drivers to salespeople — with a sense of ownership.

SYSCO salespeople also take pride in the role they play in the company’s success. Each salesperson visits their customers an average of three times per week. They develop friendships with their customers, who are usually chefs or food establishment owners, and they feel a sense of responsibility to help them succeed. Some even go so far as to bus tables or wait on customers if the need arises. SYSCO and other high-performing organic growth companies have learned to create a positive entrepreneurial environment that meets employees’ basic needs. As a result, they have high employee engagement and consistent high performance. High employee satisfaction leads to high customer satisfaction, which leads to profits.