At Tulip Media Group, we’re always learning. It’s what drives us. Our thirst for knowledge is at the heart of everything we do.

We don’t get stuck in old ways of doing things. We are constantly on the hunt for new and exciting ways to become more efficient, more engaged, more resourceful, and more innovative.

Our culture is built on a desire for lifelong learning and constant improvement. Everyone who works here is committed to nurturing this culture and bringing an open-minded attitude and drive for growth to the table every day.

We’ve achieved this culture for ourselves using a number of techniques. Although our approach has evolved over the years (as it should with a culture of continuous learning), our purpose has remained the same. 

I’d like to take this opportunity to share with you some of the ways we nurture this facet of our company culture. If you are looking for new ways to engage your team in company growth, try applying these great techniques to your business.

#1 – “Grow Smart” Meetings

For one hour every Monday, our entire team takes part in a “Grow Smart” meeting where we discuss a topic concerning personal or business development. I am the lucky one who gets to choose the topic for discussion. Right now, we are working through Don Miller’s “Hero On a Mission” course offered through his Business Made Simple University (businessmadesimple.com). 

We have been working through his modules for some time because we are all very passionate about his approach to business. Prior to “Hero on a Mission,” we worked through his “Marketing Made Simple” and “StoryBrand Messaging Framework” courses.

Now that it is finished, who knows what we’ll pick up next? The sky’s the limit when growing smart.

#2 – Better Book Club

Better Book Club is a service where employees get paid to read. At Tulip Media Group, we can each earn up to $100 extra per quarter just by reading in our spare time.

Here’s how it works. We choose a book with a focus on personal or business development (because these are topics that can help improve our company) and read it outside of work hours. Once we’ve finished, we’re asked to fill out a short report that encourages us to reflect on what we’ve read. This is also a prime time to think of reasons why the insights in this book could be an asset to TMG if we haven’t already done so. Once we submit the report, points are added to our account. At the end of each quarter, these points are converted to cash.

You’ll notice in the next tip that we often share what we’ve learned through reading, so this investment really pays off for our organization.

#3 – Shared Learning

During our quarterly review, each of us shares some of our learning with the team and we talk about ways we can improve our business by applying what we’ve learned. To give you an idea of what this looks like, let’s look at what everyone shared in our most recent review.

Heather shared her learning about merging in Microsoft Excel. Using this new knowledge, she was able to drastically reduce the time it took to import listings for a new Client-Partner in the real estate industry.

Jessica shared some digital marketing trends that were timely considering. 

Erika shared a Mel Robbins video entitled How to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed Right Now which gave us all some tips for reducing our brain load and easing some mental tension.

Finally, I shared my learning from the book Don’t Bullsh*t Yourself: Crush the Excuses that are Holding You Back by Jon Taffer. I found a YouTube video that highlighted the top ten excuses we make and played it for the team.

Our shared learning is an opportunity for us all to benefit from each other’s educational experiences. Putting our minds together helps us grow forward through innovation and invaluable collaboration.

Feel the Difference

Encouraging a culture of continuous learning keeps your team consistently engaged and fosters a sense of duty and purpose beyond what a traditional role offers. Employees that are engaged in this way are more likely to go above and beyond to see the organization succeed. A quick peek behind the curtain will tell you this is certainly the case at Tulip Media, and it can be for you too. 

What works for us may not work for you, but it’s worth a try, especially if you are at a crossroads. As you start to put these ideas into action, I encourage you to take it even further with your own ideas for growing smart, expanding your repertoire of books, and sharing your learning with others on your team.