Released on = April 2, 2007, 8:38 pm

Press Release Author = Horrell Communications

Industry =

Press Release Summary = Ed Horrell, author of The Kindness Revolution, introduces a
stellar example of a company that places values and employees above profit.

Press Release Body = Germantown, TN, April 2, 2007 - In my on-going quest for
examples of values-based leadership, I occasionally run across companies who
understand that exemplary treatment of employees is the key to outstanding customer
service and customer relationships. While there are indeed a number of these
companies, there are not enough.

Oden is one of these companies.

Oden is a Memphis-based branding consultancy. Their work is good, as validated by
such companies as FedEx, International Paper, and other Fortune 1000 companies.

But I'm not interested in writing about "good" companies.I'm interested in companies
who set examples for putting more emphasis on values than being "good"; I'm
interested in companies who practice kindness.

These guys do.

Based on the values of their late founder, Dale Oden, Oden makes it clear what they
are all about beginning on their website at http://www.oden.com/. Look closely at
their links. You'll see links to categories such as culture, where they say " Heck,
we\'ll even give away our secret: having a great culture is not about how cool your
offices are, or how many parties you have, or how many benefits you get. It\'s about
attitude. From leaders who have a genuine interest in, and respect for, the people
they work with, to positive-thinking employees who love what they do and aren\'t
afraid to be their silly selves "

I like this. This jumped out at me and I wanted to see for myself if the leaders at
Oden did indeed have "a genuine interest in and respect for the people they work
with". I wish I could tell you how many times I hear this without seeing evidence
of it.

I contacted Bill Carkeet, CEO of Oden, and arranged for a tour. With great pride he
showed me around their new offices in downtown Memphis.

Following again the values of their founder, Bill told me about how he and his
partner, Bret Terwilleger, wanted to design an office layout that reflected respect
for employees, were efficient, and fun.

Mission accomplished.

From small gathering areas for spontaneous "mini-meetings" to beautiful conference
rooms, there are immediate feelings of warmth and professionalism that I have rarely
seen.

But the best part of the tour was the lunchroom.

I am not giving enough credit to this area by calling it a lunchroom. As a matter
of fact, the gathering place for lunch is named (by the employees, of course) the
"Café O".

But what makes this special is that the employees' "café" sits in the corner of the
refurbished building, overlooking downtown Memphis, at the prime corner of the
building. It's the place for the most important aspect of the business; the place
where most executives would have put THEIR offices.

"When we saw the view", Carkeet told me, "We knew immediately that we wanted this to
be the place for our employees to gather."

And gather they do.from lunches together on Wednesday to hanging a disco-ball on
Friday afternoons; Oden employee gatherings are an important part of their culture.

Do you think their employees noticed this when they first viewed the new offices?
You bet they did. I did!

Companies like Oden are leading the Kindness Revolution. They are providing the
examples of values-based leadership, coming from the top, which becomes measurable
to employees and is passed on to clients.

They are also showing that in a market full of competitors, customers are making
selection of service providers based less and less on price and quality because all
companies claim to be competitive and more on feelings like "that is the kind of
company I want to do business with".

Customers are saying everything else being equal, I want to do business with a
company who treats their employees with respect, has fun at work, and provides great
service.

Oden does.

What you can learn from the Oden story:

1) Treatment of employees leads directly to treatment of customers. There is no
room for misunderstanding here.these two aspects are directly connected.
2) Employees notice what leaders do regarding respect for them. This respect, or
lack of it, is immediately clear to visitors to your office.
3) Fun is possible at work! It adds to employee retention and what your employees
(and customers) say about your company over dinner at night.

Why not try this in your company and watch for the difference it makes for your
employees and your customers.

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Web Site = http://www.EdHorrell.com

Contact Details = Ed Horrell
Horrell Communications
PO Box 382035
Germantown, TN 38183-2035
901-757-3768
http://www.EdHorrell.com