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Episode 5: Dwight Cooper is Transforming the Workplace Environment

“One of my mentors said to me one day, you know, if you can really figure out what you can be the best at in the world, and do more of that, then you're going to be really successful.”

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If you work for a company that values employee culture above all else, you might have Dwight Cooper to thank. In 2016, Dwight exited PPR Talent Management, a recruiting company he founded in 1996 and grew to $100 million in revenue, to focus his entrepreneurial talents on Hueman People Solutions, a small division that he was passionate about building into his next award-winning human resources company. Now Hueman, like PPR before it, sweeps the workplace culture awards and earns accolades from the likes of Great Place to Work Institute, Fortune Magazine, and Gallup. It’s a formula that Dwight is putting to work for clients across the country, transforming the workplace environment, his mind firmly set on creating the best workplace experience in the world.

 

A thriving workplace culture (and trust) is not an afterthought

Winning anything for thirteen consecutive years isn’t a fluke, but the result of a laser focus to surpass expectations and outperform your competitors. That might be easy to do when you’re producing widgets or are a transaction-based business, but how do you measure and improve on something as squishy as workplace culture? Dwight says it starts from day one by defining your core values - not just for the company, but your own. Teamwork, service, and change are the three values at the foundation of Hueman, and those values provide the infrastructure for the processes and systems that drives all that they do, from the clients they select to the staff they hire. They combine that infrastructure with a continuous reinforcement of expected behaviors, weekly communications on company performance - losses shared as transparently as wins - and providing an environment where all employees can learn and grow. The result? A high degree of trust, an engaged workforce, and the ability to scale. As Dwight shares, “if I've got 150 people who work here today that have shared values, then I can give them a lot of latitude to make decisions in the business. I don't have to stand over them and make those decisions.” What if an employee makes a bad decision? If values are aligned, they’ll be “mistakes of the head, not mistakes of the heart,” and to Dwight, far easier to correct. 

 

Don’t fear the gig economy

Some might snicker that people these days are changing jobs faster than they change their socks, but in Dwight’s opinion, the naysayers have it all wrong. If you’re not showing up to work on fire to do that day’s job, Dwight says it’s time to get a new job. And when 90% of his recruiting staff started at Hueman without any recruiting experience, Dwight’s not saying that lightly. A new hire’s “EQ,” or emotional quotient, is a greater predictor of success than prior experience. Yes, it might cost more up front the train employees, but that investment allows Dwight’s team to train someone in the practices and behaviors espoused by his company. And when low unemployment rates equate to higher employee churn, smart businesses will continue to nurture their workforces’ curiosity with ongoing investment in their personal and professional development. You’ll be rewarded with a more loyal employee who can’t wait to tackle their day - an ROI that Dwight can back up with that enviable list of awards.

 

Modeling the way in Jacksonville Beach

If your bright and airy office was steps away from the beach, had custom-made wood surfaces for your standing desk, and spacious break rooms with “The Office” on constant rotation, you might feel like you hit the workplace jackpot. Hueman’s employees exuded a happy energy that Dwight would suggest is replicable (even if the killer office location isn’t) if you apply the disciplines he shares in our podcast. As for Jacksonville as a place to do business? From Dwight’s perspective, our city is enjoying unprecedented growth, attracting talent and delighting newcomers with our affordable lifestyle and professional community that willingly collaborates to support their success.

 

The Innovate Jax podcast will introduce you to the Jacksonville change-makers who are propelling our city into a new realm of sophistication. Our goal is to connect you to the people who are leaving their mark on our city today, in hopes that they inspire you to leave your mark tomorrow. Subscribe today and you’ll have fresh new episodes delivered to you each month. And feel free to recommend a guest by dropping us a note at innovatejax@forcura.com.

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