Davies
Everyone at Davies is treated as a partner, empowered to improve the company culture and productivity. All team members are rewarded for the firm’s achievements and their individual contribution in a manner usually reserved for senior staff only. Everyone has skin in the game, from the clerk to the CEO.
Davies’ EVP, Taylor Canfield, started 12 years ago as assistant to the CEO. The COO, Caitlin Bidwell, started seven years ago as the receptionist. In a very short amount of time, a number of entry-level team members have now come to manage their own teams.
Davies offices strive to be comfortable, state-of-the-art work environments in terms of layout, equipment and culture. There is often music playing in the office, people engrossed in conversation in the lounge, and news being followed on the large monitor in the main area. Cubicles have been removed and all offices are set-up with an open plan in order to foster collaboration.
In 2013, more than 40% of the firm's profits were distributed to non-shareholders. Everyone from the receptionist to the EVP was rewarded. This leaves everyone focused like an owner on servicing clients, and in the process promotes repeat business.
CEO John Davies invests a great deal of time teaching each person not only "what" Davies does and "how" they do it uniquely, but also "why" they do the things they do, along with the science and research behind their efforts. It’s a Socratic method of growing—and that means he spends individual time with each person, giving them the attention they need.