Since Ruby was named the #1 best small company to work for in the U.S. by FORTUNE Magazine, a lot of folks have asked us, “What is Ruby doing out there in Portland?!”

Ruby Receptionists is unlike any traditional answering service; in fact, it’s unlike any other business, full stop. We have theme days every Friday (like “Twin Day,” above), “Happiness Journals,” book clubs, games, volunteer nights, and more. But our secret to an award-winning company culture is neither arcane nor magical; other businesses can apply the same principles and create unique, WOW-worthy cultures of their own. These three driving forces fuel Ruby’s dynamic culture:

Great People.

We look for people who are the right cultural fit before we even hire them. We may sacrifice some experience, but we know maintaining a healthy culture is worth it in the long run. Ruby looks for employees who genuinely delight in making other people’s days and actively cultivate connections with their coworkers and clients.

That brings us to the second part of what makes Ruby a great place to work, our…

Clear Mission and Values.

It took us a few years until we figured out what Ruby stands for, but once we did, everything else fell into place. We come to work everyday striving to make meaningful connections with every interaction. Each employee is dedicated to our Core Values — Foster Happiness, Create Community, Practice WOWism, Innovate, and Grow — which inform every decision and spark collaboration.

There are many companies out there with fantastic people and lofty missions, but if employees aren’t empowered to deliver on that mission, the culture eventually falls flat. And that brings us to the final part of the puzzle…

Consistent Systems and Training. 

Clear processes inform our hiring decisions and each employee knows from the get-go what Ruby stands for — and we don’t stop there. We hold campaigns to incentivize employees, share inspiring stories, and provide tools to empower employees to enact our mission. Best of all, though we were #1 on the small companies list this year, these scalable systems will help us stay a great place to work as we grow!

Knowing what you stand for, hiring people who stand for the same, and incenting, inspiring, and empowering your staff are key to creating a WOW-worthy company culture!

Click here to watch Ruby CEO Jill Nelson explain more about what we’re doing at Ruby!