Inside True North With Brian Samson

Use anonymous surveys to make sure you’re getting the best feedback possible within your organization.

Brian Samson is currently co-founder of True North, a high-end consulting firm, focused on the strategy, development, and acceleration of fintech products. He’s a Talent & Operations leader with three startup exits. Follow him at @brian_samson.

Recently, YEC spoke with Samson about his employee management and company culture experience. His best advice is below.

What interview question do you always ask potential hires and why?

“Is there anything I didn’t ask that you feel I should know about you?”

This question ensures the interviewee feels heard, acknowledged, and accounts for any gaps we might have in our interview process and questions in case we miss key information to make a better hiring decision.

What makes your company culture unique?

We are based in three completely different locations: San Francisco, Buenos Aires, and Kapolei, Hawaii. These locations allow for a melting pot of ideas, discussions and traditions.

How can you make sure team outings or activities appeal as best they can to all employees?

Ensuring a variety of outings, from sports, food, drinks and events, will ensure different types of participation and enthusiasm.

What’s your best tip for keeping a personal touch to onboarding and training as you grow?

My co-founder and I do a monthly session for all new hires, which is an opportunity for all new hires to have a small group with us, ask us questions and feel vested in the company. It most importantly creates an environment for transparency and just being human. At the end of the day, we’re all people and we’re all approachable. It’s important our team sees and feels this.

What’s one quick, easy way any company at any stage can invest in their company culture?

Regular all-hands meetings, which encourage anonymous questions where executives answer everything straight up. Employees will feel more vested and appreciate the transparency.

Resources

Inside True North With Brian Samson

Use anonymous surveys to make sure you’re getting the best feedback possible within your organization.

Brian Samson is currently co-founder of True North, a high-end consulting firm, focused on the strategy, development, and acceleration of fintech products. He’s a Talent & Operations leader with three startup exits. Follow him at @brian_samson.

Recently, YEC spoke with Samson about his employee management and company culture experience. His best advice is below.

What interview question do you always ask potential hires and why?

“Is there anything I didn’t ask that you feel I should know about you?”

This question ensures the interviewee feels heard, acknowledged, and accounts for any gaps we might have in our interview process and questions in case we miss key information to make a better hiring decision.

What makes your company culture unique?

We are based in three completely different locations: San Francisco, Buenos Aires, and Kapolei, Hawaii. These locations allow for a melting pot of ideas, discussions and traditions.

How can you make sure team outings or activities appeal as best they can to all employees?

Ensuring a variety of outings, from sports, food, drinks and events, will ensure different types of participation and enthusiasm.

What’s your best tip for keeping a personal touch to onboarding and training as you grow?

My co-founder and I do a monthly session for all new hires, which is an opportunity for all new hires to have a small group with us, ask us questions and feel vested in the company. It most importantly creates an environment for transparency and just being human. At the end of the day, we’re all people and we’re all approachable. It’s important our team sees and feels this.

What’s one quick, easy way any company at any stage can invest in their company culture?

Regular all-hands meetings, which encourage anonymous questions where executives answer everything straight up. Employees will feel more vested and appreciate the transparency.

See Also: 4 Drawbacks of Working Remotely and How to Address Them With Your Team

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