A recent study from the Center for Talent Innovation found that people are more productive, motivated, engaged and 3.5 times more likely to contribute to their fullest potential when they feel like they belong at work. While that might not be earth-shattering news, the study also found that simply checking in or asking coworkers how they’re doing can have an outsized impact on their sense of belonging in a workplace.
A sense of belonging is not a given with coworkers. With the rise of remote work and an increased focus on productivity after the disruption of a global pandemic, it can take extra effort to be intentional about connecting and putting people first.
Built In Chicago sat down with employees from four fast-growing tech companies to learn what they love about their workplace. Strikingly, all of them named a people-first culture and a sense of belonging as their favorite attributes.
Alexander DiSanti, marketing operations supervisor at tms, told us, “The warm welcome from the team made me feel like I’d found a supportive second family.” Camila Mills, senior carrier sales representative at MoLo Solutions, agreed. “MoLo Solutions is more people-focused and team-oriented than the other companies I’ve worked for, which I love,” she said.
All these people-first Chicago companies are growing rapidly and hiring now; maybe you’ll find your own sense of belonging by joining their teams.
MoLo Solutions, an ArcBest Truckload Service, is a third-party logistics provider that connects businesses with transportation to get products delivered.
What is notable about working at your company? What differentiates it from other places you’ve worked?
MoLo Solutions is more people-focused and team-oriented than the other companies I’ve worked for, which I love. I believe our team-first mentality contributes to the overall success of our sales reps because it builds a culture in which I know I have a voice and the support of my peers and leaders.
What do you think job seekers should know about working at your company? What would get them excited about joining the team?
Through MoLo’s training program and its leaders, we are given all the tools necessary to be successful. It puts everyone on a level playing field, so then it’s up to us to ask questions and continue to learn as we grow our careers here. We can reach out to anyone and they are excited and willing to help. That is truly how I found so much success in carrier sales. You will see the reward based on how much work you put in. The support here is unmatched and the people around you want to see you succeed!
The support here is unmatched and the people around you want to see you succeed!”
Pangea is a fintech company that offers customers a smarter way to move money around the world to friends and family.
What is notable about working at your company? What differentiates it from other places you’ve worked?
At Pangea, I enjoy the challenge of solving high-impact, complex problems in a highly collaborative team setting. Across all teams, people want to help each other and are focused on doing right by our customers and business.
What do you think job seekers should know about working at your company? What would get them excited about joining the team?
Pangea is at a really fun stage. Being owned by a public company has afforded us the opportunity to invest in our product, marketing and team expansion. It’s really exciting to be part of a growing company that is launching new products all while remaining lean enough that our daily work has a direct business impact.
It’s really exciting to be part of a growing company that is launching new products all while remaining lean enough that our daily work has a direct business impact.”
tms unites technology, marketing and sourcing to empower brands in the age of the customer.
What is notable about working at your company? What differentiates it from other places you’ve worked?
Working at tms has been an exciting journey. Stepping into our 345 North Morgan Street office, I immediately felt a sense of belonging. The warm welcome from the team made me feel like I’d found a supportive second family.
What really intrigued me was tms’ role as a creative force behind McDonald’s projects. Given my previous experience at McDonald's corporate, it was fascinating to be part of the creative engine. tms fosters a collaborative environment where diverse teams consistently craft innovative solutions.
But what truly sets tms apart is its people. They’re not just colleagues; they’re mentors and friends. Every day presents opportunities for learning and growth alongside this exceptional group.
But what truly sets tms apart is its people. They’re not just colleagues; they’re mentors and friends.”
Moreover, tms’ commitment to work-life balance empowers me to excel professionally and enjoy my personal life. It’s a valuable aspect that isn’t always easy to find.
In essence, tms stands out for its exceptional work, remarkable people and dedication to balance. It’s a place where creativity thrives, culture flourishes and compassion is at the core.
What is the impact of the work you are doing?
In my role on the marketing operations team at tms and working on retail experience, we have a significant impact on our customers’ business success. We ensure content appears seamlessly at retail, covering core products, campaigns and more so they remain visually appealing and up-to-date.
Marketing operations is a critical checkpoint before creative content goes live across the entire U.S. market, ensuring that what customers see aligns perfectly with the intended messaging and promotions.
Our work is pivotal in forming flawless ordering experiences, in-store or at the drive-thru. We prioritize understanding our customers to create a simple and streamlined experience, ultimately enhancing their satisfaction.
Notably, our operational contributions don’t just impact the present; they help shape our clients’ continued success, adding value and driving growth.
Caxy Interactive helps companies create a technology strategy and custom software that supports and drives their business strategy.
What is notable about working at your company? What differentiates it from other places you’ve worked?
I love working at Caxy so much because we don’t have to sacrifice a healthy work-life balance in order to enjoy a fantastic company culture. We leave egos at the door and are all in this together, as cliche as that sounds. I have my teammates’ backs and I know they have mine. We are never set up for failure — in fact, quite the opposite. We are all set up for success, and it shows.
Caxy is a place where my skills are valued and growth is encouraged. The developers I work with are true partners in creating valuable products for clients who want to change the landscape of their industry.
I am surrounded by developers who are excited to learn the latest technology and apply it to real problems that we’re solving for the companies partnered with us. I’ve learned so many new skills and created so much cool stuff.
What do you think job seekers should know about working at your company? What would get them excited about joining the team?
At Caxy, we are difference makers who work with other difference makers to make a difference. The work we do fundamentally changes how companies show up to their employees and customers. We help companies find new ways to use software to engage, be smarter and be more efficient.
We believe that we're at our best when we're focused on the idea of getting 1% better somewhere, anywhere, every day. If we really do that we’re pretty different at six months — which means twice a year we feel brand new. That keeps things exciting, it keeps us engaged and it keeps us connected.
Our folks here are curious and determined by nature and refined by practice. You’ll learn more about your work and yourself in a year here than you will in five anywhere else; that seems to be the most common feedback we get.
Our average employee tenure is more than four years. That’s almost unheard of in agency life. This means that when you start you can really take the time to foster relationships with people because these people will be with you for a long time. When relationships are strong, everything else gets easier and the work gets a lot more fun.
When relationships are strong, everything else gets easier and the work gets a lot more fun.”
