5 Things that Great Companies Do

Recently, TIME explored the eight qualities that make a boss great. But why stop there? When it comes to the workplace, we all want more than just great bosses. We want great everything.

So what can companies do to become great?

1. Listen to your employees. While this may seem obvious, most companies don’t have the time or opportunity to talk to individuals about employee satisfaction. Make this a priority.

Schedule mid- and year-end reviews for all of your employees. Give them an opportunity to pitch new ideas for the product as well as the company culture all year long. And don’t just listen. Acknowledge and act on those ideas.

2. Invest in employees. From new hires to seasoned veterans, everyone in your company can use some guidance as well as a transparent career path within your company — or outside of your company if you don’t have the correct avenues, for that matter.

Your employees crave ways to do their jobs better, feel as if they’re making valuable contributions and grow professionally. You can provide all of that with hands-on training throughout the year, mentoring programs between seasoned workers and new hires and a clear career path within and outside of your company.

3. Have fun. Workplaces are no longer built on purely professional relationships. Workers all around the world are finding their best friends and spouses in the office place, and while a job isn’t a match-making opportunity, people are increasingly looking for a company that values and fosters relationships amongst co-workers. With that, create a company culture that not only provide opportunities for such but encourages and appreciates these relationships.

4. Give back. People don’t just want to do great things at work or in their industry; they want to do great things in the world. As a company, you can easily provide these opportunities, and not only that, you can give your employees and community experiences to give and receive that would otherwise be impossible. This is also another outlet in which to encourage employee engagement and team building.

5. Get creative. You don’t have to have the next great idea or the next brilliant start-up. But you can get creative and innovative with your daily tasks, projects and processes. Research and brainstorm ways to do your jobs and deliver your product in better ways. Always be asking, “How can we improve upon what we already do?” And don’t just leave these conversations to administrative and management teams within your company. Get everyone involved.

As you can see, great companies are all about people — new hires, seasoned veterans, clients. By engaging with people and improving upon their experiences, you can create a company that isn’t just good — but great.

How else can companies become great? Share now in our comments!