Understanding people-centric companies and Ruby Digital

By Justin Lester

7 minutes to read

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Understanding people-centric companies and Ruby Digital

By Justin Lester

7 minutes to read

Join our smart marketers who get our best digital marketing insights,
strategies and tips deliverered straight to their inbox.

Name(Required)

Businesses around the world are beginning to realise that employees are not just cogs in a machine. Really, they are the heart of the operation. People-centric companies put their people first, creating a culture where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.  

It is a shift that is not just good for morale, it is good for business! Happy employees lead to satisfied customers/clients, better ideas, and a company that is ready to adapt and grow.  

Ruby Digital is a prime example of this approach. We are a digital marketing agency that believes in putting our people at the centre of everything we do. In this blog post, we will dive into what it means to be a people-centric company, explore the benefits, and share how Ruby Digital lives this philosophy every day. 

What is a People-Centric Company? 

A people-centric company prioritises the well-being and development of its employees. It is not just about offering perks or a cool office space, it is about a culture where people feel truly valued. 

Some hallmarks of a people-centric company include: 

  • Focus on employee well-being and development: Providing opportunities for growth, offering support and resources for mental and physical health, and creating a positive work environment. 
  • Prioritising customer/client satisfaction and relationships: Happy employees lead to better customer/client service and stronger client relationships. 
  • Creating a supportive and inclusive work environment: Everyone should feel welcome and respected, regardless of their background or position. 

Embracing a people-centric approach is not just about being “nice.” It has tangible benefits: 

  • Enhanced employee engagement and staff retention: When people feel valued, they are more likely to be engaged in their work and stay with the company longer.
  • Improved customer loyalty and satisfaction: A happy and motivated workforce translates into better customer experiences and increased loyalty.
  • Greater innovation and adaptability: A culture that encourages open communication and empowers employees to take initiative fosters creativity and the ability to adapt to change. 

The Key Principles of a People-Centric Company 

While the specifics may vary, there are certain core principles that define a people-centric company: 

  • Empowerment and Autonomy 

People-centric companies understand that employees thrive when they are given the freedom and responsibility to make decisions and take ownership of their work. This does not mean leaving people to fend for themselves – it is about providing the necessary support and resources while encouraging employees to take initiative and be proactive. 

  • Open Communication and People-Centric Leadership 

A culture of open communication is essential for any people-centric company. This means creating an environment where feedback is welcomed and valued, and where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns. It also involves transparency from leadership, ensuring that company goals and decisions are clearly communicated and understood by everyone. 

  • Continuous Learning and Development 

Investing in the growth and development of employees is a cornerstone of people-centricity. This means providing opportunities for professional development, whether it is through formal training programs, mentorship opportunities, or simply encouraging a culture of lifelong learning. By helping employees expand their skillsets and knowledge, companies not only benefit from a more capable workforce, but also demonstrate their commitment to their employees’ future success. 

  • Work-Life Balance and Flexibility 

Recognising that employees have lives beyond the office is essential. At Ruby Digital, we prioritise people by offering flexibility in our work environment and remote work options, ensuring our team can maintain a healthy work-life balance. It is also about showing genuine care for your employees’ personal lives and well-being, offering support, and understanding during challenging times. 

These principles are not just theoretical concepts. They are the foundation on which successful people-centric companies are built. 

Ruby Digital’s Approach to People-Centricity 

Our people-centric philosophy is deeply ingrained in our company culture. It is reflected in our core values: 

  • Solutions are us: We empower our team members to take ownership and find creative solutions to challenges. 
  • Better Together: We foster collaboration and teamwork, recognising that we achieve more when we work together. 
  • Lifelong Learners: We encourage continuous learning and development, both personally and professionally. 

These values guide all our practices, and we are proud to say our team loves being here! We have achieved a 98% staff retention rate over the past four years, and with a 95% culture score on Hi5, it is clear we are building a pretty awesome work environment. 

Over and above this, our commitment to people-centricity translates into tangible results for our clients: 

  • Custom Solutions: We empower our employees to create tailored solutions for our clients, ensuring that their unique needs are met with creativity and effectiveness. 
  • Staying Ahead of the Curve: We invest in ongoing training and development, ensuring our team is always up to date with the latest industry trends, search engine updates, and optimisation techniques. 

These values are the reason we attract top talent who are passionate about making a difference and working in an environment that supports their ambitions. After all, the best people want to work for the best companies!  

The Impact of People-Centric Strategies at Ruby Digital 

Our people-centric approach has been a huge driving force in our success. Let us take a look at how prioritising our people has positively impacted Ruby Digital: 

Employee Engagement and Satisfaction: 

We actively seek feedback from our team through surveys and other mechanisms, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are addressed. We have implemented various programmes and initiatives aimed at boosting morale and fostering a sense of belonging, creating an environment where people genuinely enjoy coming to work.  

We know the importance of staff retention lies in creating a workplace where people are empowered to build up their skills and know-how, ensuring that valuable expertise and experience stay within the organisation. 

Client Relationships and Success: 

Happy employees lead to happy clients. Our focus on creating a positive and supportive work environment translates into better client outcomes. Our case studies and client testimonials showcase the successful partnerships we have built, demonstrating how our people-centric approach drives exceptional results. 

Company Growth and Innovation: 

Prioritising our people has been a catalyst for growth and innovation at Ruby Digital. We have expanded our services, attracted top talent, and consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible in the digital marketing space. Read more about our exciting journey here! 

This commitment to innovation has led to the development of new projects and services, such as Call Tracking, our SEO Readiness Assessment, and our RubyLeads conversion tracking tool, all born from a desire to provide even more value to our clients. Our growth is also reflected in the many awards we’ve received, recognising our achievements in SEO, PPC, and overall digital marketing excellence.

But perhaps most importantly, we have been recognised for our exceptional company culture, including being finalists in the “Best Employee Wellbeing Strategy” and “Great Place to Work” categories at the Engage Awards. We believe that these awards show that putting people first is not just the right thing to do – it is also a recipe for success!

Challenges and Solutions in Maintaining a People-Centric Approach 

Even with the best intentions, maintaining a people-centric approach is not always smooth sailing. Let us explore some common hurdles and how we overcome them at Ruby Digital. 

  • Balancing business objectives with employee needs: It is important to find a balance between achieving business goals and ensuring the well-being of employees. Sometimes, these can feel at odds, but a people-centric company finds ways to align them. 
  • Maintaining culture during rapid growth or change: As companies grow or face changes, it can be challenging to preserve the culture that made them successful in the first place. 

At Ruby Digital, we have found strategies to navigate these hurdles: 

  • Open, Honest Communication: We encourage constant feedback between management and employees, so that everyone’s voice is heard. We also adapt our processes as needed to ensure they support our people-centric values. 
  • Embracing New Tools and Tech: We use technology to facilitate communication, collaboration, and employee recognition, further reinforcing our commitment to our team. 

By proactively addressing these challenges, we ensure our people-first approach stays at the core of our operations, even as we continue to grow and evolve. 

In Closing 

Businesses are always battling to attract the best talent and keep their customers/clients happy. We think the secret to achieving both is simple: recognise that your employees are your most valuable resource, and build a workplace that inspires them to reach their full potential.

At Ruby Digital, we have seen firsthand the transformative power of a people-centric approach. It has fuelled our growth, strengthened our client relationships, and promoted a culture of innovation and collaboration. We are proud to be a company that puts people first, and we believe that our success is a direct result of this philosophy!

If you are looking for a digital marketing partner that understands the importance of people, look no further than Ruby Digital. We are passionate about helping businesses achieve their goals, and we know that starts with empowering our team and fostering a culture of excellence.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help YOU achieve your digital marketing objectives. 

Written by Justin Lester

Justin is a successful entrepreneur who launched and exited two online startups by the age of 24.

He specialises in SEO and Paid Media services and played a critical role in developing cutting-edge marketing applications in the iGaming sector.

He founded Ruby Digital in 2011, which has won numerous awards and is recognised as having the 2nd highest culture score of any SME in South Africa.

Justin is committed to empowering communities with digital marketing skills and is an active member of the entrepreneurship community, sharing his knowledge and expertise as a guest lecturer at the University of Cape Town and serving on the board of the Entrepreneurs Organization Accelerator Program.