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Core values are powerful. But core values driven by purpose are unstoppable! Today we are going to take a deep dive into an entrepreneur who has built not one but two highly successful businesses by not just living core values but tying purpose and giving back into the daily routines of the company. 

And their results have been extraordinary!  

Our guest today:  Jay Wilkinson,  Founder of Firespring, Bloom Growth & Do More Good Movement

Firespring—a Nebraska-based Certified B Corporation featured by Inc. Magazine as one of the Top 50 Places to Work in America. 

His TEDx talk on company culture has more than 1 million views. Currently, Jay leads the Do More Good Movement —an organization he founded in 2018 to help save capitalism. 

Jay appears on CNN and other news outlets discussing the important role that purpose-driven companies play in the U.S. economy.  

Problem:

Story:

One person- volunteering wasn't their thing. Ended up parting ways

Volunteering creates an issue that you don't have someone's back as you defer work to another person. 

Challenge today?  Why is this difficult to do? 

Aside from core values- tied to their purpose statement. A major part of the company ethos.

• Candidates lie to themselves 

Core values (15 years)

• Bring it every day


• Have each other's back


• Give a shit

Why is this important to the company?

Came from experience as a kid. Spending time volunteering and sharing the value with the people he works with. 

How it correlates to the business. Servant leadership mindset. They serve mostly non-profits. The could not serve their clients without walking the talk. 

Rick’s Nuggets

• Core values are how people naturally operate


• Purpose is the glue that satiates desire. Validates belonging

How do we solve the problem? 

Let’s start with Interviewing for Purpose Alignment

• Interview question: Tell me about the last time you donated your time

Jay’s Formula:

Power of 3

• 1% topline revenue donated


• 2% of products and services are in kind given away


• 3% of people 1 full day a month

Volunteer hours- paid time off during work

Uplifting community 

Quarterly conversations

• The manager asked for advice. Worked through the issue


• Put the person on a PIP. 


• The conflict was resolved by editing from the company.

Cover Anti-values- the act

• Talk about it


• A lot of nuance, a lot of gray


• Part ways as soon as they know

How to identify it in the interview

• Create dialog to get to know beyond the trite responses. 


• Gotten really good at finding high performers who are introverts. 


• Use the culture index, and ask questions to understand who they are. 

The company is powered by purpose

Values hall of fame

Rick’s Nuggets

• You NEED to gain evidence that your purpose is important to them …. 


• Unpeel the onion… dig deeper


• The purpose of the interview is to “Understand the Truth”

Key Takeaways that the Audience can plug into their business today!  - (Values from guest)

• Vet candidates for alignment with the company’s purpose and vision -- not just core values. People want (and need) to be part of something that’s bigger than themselves.


• Define clear and precise job requirements - including skill, experience, and personality/attributes.


• Use assessment tools to understand natural, inherent behaviors and modify questions to get at the heart of who the applicant is.


• Create a great candidate/interviewee experience. If this applicant is not the perfect fit, but they have a positive experience, they’ll spread the word.


• Screen to hire Learners, not Knowers. 

Guest Links:

LinkedIn: Jay Wilkinson

Companies: Firespring  Do More Good Bloom Growth

Host Links:

LinkedIn: Rick Girard

Company: Intertru

Book: Healing Career Wound

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