“Our top priority for maintaining a great work environment is being honest and transparent with each other and letting all of our employees know that we are here to support them daily.”
—SCOTT BANIA CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
| Company / Total Life Changes, LLC. Headquarters / Fair Haven, Michigan Number of Full-Time Employees / 104 Year Founded / 2003 |
WHAT MAKES YOUR COMPANY ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO WORK IN DIRECT SELLING?
We believe and trust in each other, and in doing so, we hold each other accountable on a personal and professional level. This embodies who we are as humans and how we treat each other. We value each other, and this is delivered naturally through every department and every employee which naturally resonates with our customers and Life Changers(distributors).
WHAT IS YOUR TOP PRIORITY WHEN IT COMES TO MAINTAINING A GREAT WORK ENVIRONMENT?
Our top priority for maintaining a great work environment is being honest and transparent with each other and letting all of our employees know that we are here to support them every day. Our COO John Licari and Founder Jack Fallon visit every department daily, thanking them for being here, and asking them if there is anything they need support with. We analyze our mistakes and take corrective measures to implement changes promptly.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR COMPANY’S COLLABORATION EFFORTS WITH EMPLOYEES IN ALLOWING THEM TO VOICE THEIR THOUGHTS, IDEAS, AND SUGGESTIONS.
TLC hired a local company and worked with a “Brand Therapist.” Employees were challenged to express their thoughts, ideas and suggestions for improvements and the results of this data were reviewed from multiple workshops and surveys to assist the executive staff in making informed decisions to improve the culture and the efficiency of our operations. It was also during this time that TLC’s administrative staff officially established its core values and company archetypes.
WHAT UNIQUE OR UNUSUAL PERKS DO YOU ALSO OFFER?
TLC employees have an account. Department heads can load/add points to employee accounts as a means of recognition or reward for modeling one of the seven core values. Points are used toward discounted product/apparel & merchandise purchases.
Our office hosts an awards ceremony every quarter. Each department head selects one or more employees and categories of achievement/recognition to edify an employee in their specific department. Typically, the candidates receive crystal awards, gift cards, and plenty of TLC love to celebrate their contributions.
HOW DOES YOUR COMPANY GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY?
Each year our employees participate in a food drive, we collect toys for tots, as well as coats, gloves, and scarves for children during the holidays. In January 2019, TLC held a Kickball fundraiser in Disney Springs, Orlando in honor of a Life Changer that was addicted to opioids. Over one hundred Life Changers and their children raised money and donated it to Teen Challenge Southeast Region Orlando, a center dedicated to reformed addicts.
HOW DO YOU DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN TRUST BETWEEN ALL LEVELS OF YOUR COMPANY?
Our executive staff, department heads, and Human Resources Officer have established some best practices to ensure that we maintain consistent feedback within our departments. We believe that consistent feedback will cultivate authentic relationships. All of the department heads and executive staff also read and reviewed the One Minute Manager, written by Ken Blanchard. This book has helped each department head utilize effective strategies and meaningful praise to foster stronger relationships amongst employees. The most significant attributes that our company uses always points back to our seven core values. Every decision we make should intentionally reflect one or more of our core values.
WHAT IS THE SINGLE MOST FUN DAY OF THE YEAR AT YOUR COMPANY?
The single most fun/entertaining day of the year at Total Life Changes is typically a weekend event in our hometown of Detroit, Michigan. For the past two years, all of our employees, their families, our local leadership, and out-of-town guests are invited to our headquarters for a familystyle cookout preceding our corporate event on the following day. Children enjoy lawn games and
a dunk tank while parents, employees, and family members enjoy fresh barbecue, music and dancing and of course, the world-famous Fun Friday Live broadcast on Facebook. Additionally, employees enjoy our holiday party inside the auditorium at our headquarters in Michigan; this includes “Secret Santa” gifts, individual awards and recognition as well as a karaoke contest amongst employees.
WHAT BENEFITS DO YOU OFFER TO YOUR EMPLOYEES?
Our office is treated like a home. Every employee birthday and anniversary is celebrated. We often offer free lunches to all employees and we host holiday parties. In addition to these perks, hourly employees receive 5 days of PTO their first year, 10 the second year, and 15 after 4 years. Salaried employees receive 10 days of PTO for the first four years and then 15 PTOs after. TLC will also be offering all employees a 401K option in April 2018.
HOW MANY EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN AT YOUR COMPANY FOR FIVE YEARS OR MORE? AND WHY DO YOU THINK THEY STAY?
We currently employ 17 full-time employees that have worked at Total Life Changes for more than five years. We genuinely believe that every one of these employees, including myself, have become addicted and obsessed with helping others change their lives. It’s that simple. Jack models a servant strategy, and he surrounded himself with passionate family members from TLC’s earliest beginnings in the basement of his home. I guarantee that if we had been able to relocate to a larger location sooner, this number would exceed 30 employees.
Best Places To Work In Direct Selling 2018 Honorees!
Pick up the April 2018 issue here in which this article appeared.
