In today’s competitive landscape, building a resilient and thriving workplace culture is a priority for startup founders and entrepreneurs. Chad Price, CEO of Mako Medical, exemplifies what it takes to create an employee-centered environment in a high-growth company.
Recognized as one of North Carolina’s Top 125 Private Companies, Mako Medical has not only achieved significant expansion but has also cultivated a standout workplace reputation. This reputation has earned the company awards like a spot on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Startup Employers and highlighted its unique approach to healthcare diagnostics and employee satisfaction.
At the heart of Mako Medical’s success is Chad Price’s commitment to core values, career development, employee well-being, and community involvement. By embedding these elements into the company’s culture, Price has built a supportive workplace that attracts top talent and maintains high employee morale. This article delves into Price’s guiding principles for fostering a strong workplace culture, offering insights that other startup founders can apply in their own companies.
Establishing Core Values that Drive Success
For Chad Price, the foundation of Mako Medical’s success lies in its unwavering commitment to core values. These values – transparency, reliability, and patient-centered care – have become the bedrock of the company’s operations and play a critical role in guiding its growth. Price emphasizes the importance of aligning each employee with these values, creating a unified approach to service and innovation in the medical diagnostics industry.
Mako Medical’s dedication to transparency is especially noteworthy, as it reflects Price’s commitment to building trust with both employees and clients. In the healthcare industry, where reliability and accuracy are paramount, Price has ensured that Mako Medical upholds the highest standards of service. This dedication to quality not only strengthens relationships with customers but also instills a sense of pride among employees who know they are part of a company that values integrity and excellence.
Hiring employees who resonate with these core values has been integral to Mako Medical’s approach. Chad Price believes that by hiring individuals who align with the company’s mission, Mako Medical can cultivate a cohesive team that is motivated and purpose-driven. Values-based hiring leads to higher job satisfaction and greater alignment, enabling employees to work with a shared vision. This approach has helped Mako Medical build a resilient team capable of maintaining quality standards and customer trust as the company scales.
Fostering Career Growth and Internal Development
Chad Price’s approach to employee development at Mako Medical centers on the belief that career growth is essential for both individual and organizational success. Since the company’s inception, Price has implemented initiatives that promote internal growth, enabling team members to progress within the company. This focus on development has become increasingly important as Mako Medical rapidly expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, growing from 350 employees to over 1,000 in response to rising demand for healthcare diagnostics.
To support this growth, Mako Medical offers a range of professional development opportunities, from mentorship programs to leadership training. These initiatives are designed to equip employees with the skills and resources needed to advance in their careers, whether they are laboratory technicians or administrative staff. Price believes that by investing in employees’ career development, Mako Medical can not only increase job satisfaction but also retain talent in a competitive industry.
Internal promotion is another key element of Mako Medical’s development strategy. By prioritizing promotions from within, Price creates a culture of ambition and support, showing employees that hard work and dedication are recognized and rewarded. This approach fosters loyalty among team members, as they see a clear path to advancement within the company. In a sector as challenging as healthcare diagnostics, Mako Medical’s commitment to nurturing internal talent has proven to be a powerful tool for retention and employee motivation.
For startups aiming to follow Mako Medical’s example, Price suggests establishing a structured approach to career development, one that offers both technical and soft skill training. By providing mentorship and training programs, companies can empower their teams and build a pipeline of future leaders. This focus on growth not only benefits employees but also strengthens the company’s ability to adapt to change, innovate, and remain competitive in a dynamic industry.
Prioritizing Employee Health and Mental Well-being
Chad Price understands that a supportive workplace extends beyond professional development; it also prioritizes employee well-being. At Mako Medical, Price has fostered an environment that values both the physical and mental health of its employees. The company offers comprehensive healthcare packages and mental health resources, underscoring its commitment to creating a workplace where employees feel supported in every aspect of their lives.
One of the hallmarks of Mako Medical’s approach is its focus on mental health, a topic that has gained prominence as employers recognize the impact of workplace stress on productivity and morale. Price has emphasized the importance of reducing the stigma around mental health issues, ensuring that team members have access to resources and a supportive environment where they can address challenges openly. By establishing safe spaces for employees to express their mental health concerns, Mako Medical fosters a culture of openness and empathy, which is crucial for long-term employee satisfaction and retention.
Beyond offering healthcare benefits, Mako Medical regularly reviews and enhances its wellness programs to meet the evolving needs of its team. This includes access to mental health professionals, wellness initiatives, and other resources that help employees maintain a healthy work-life balance. Price believes that prioritizing well-being is essential to creating a motivated and resilient workforce. His approach not only benefits employees but also positively impacts Mako Medical’s overall productivity and culture, reinforcing its position as one of North Carolina’s Top 125 Private Companies.
Making a Social Impact Through Community Engagement
Community engagement has always been a central tenet of Mako Medical’s mission. Chad Price’s dedication to corporate social responsibility goes beyond traditional philanthropy, embedding social impact into the company’s DNA. Mako Medical actively supports over 300 nonprofits and charitable organizations, from local causes to national initiatives, demonstrating Price’s commitment to creating a positive impact beyond the workplace.
One of the standout aspects of Mako Medical’s community efforts is its support for military veterans. Recognizing the valuable skills and discipline veterans bring, the company has reserved logistics positions exclusively for them, ensuring that these roles provide meaningful employment opportunities. In addition, Mako Medical’s employees regularly volunteer for various community projects, further strengthening the company’s ties to the areas it serves. This commitment to social impact has not only built Mako Medical’s brand as a responsible corporate entity but has also instilled a sense of purpose and pride among its employees.
Chad Price’s approach to community engagement is deeply strategic, recognizing that socially responsible initiatives can enhance workplace culture and strengthen employee loyalty. By aligning Mako Medical’s values with meaningful causes, Price has created an environment where employees feel connected to their community, boosting morale and reinforcing a collective sense of purpose. For startups aiming to establish a strong reputation and retain talent, Price’s approach serves as an inspiring example of how corporate social responsibility can positively shape workplace culture and brand identity.
Under Chad Price’s leadership, Mako Medical has cultivated a workplace culture that prioritizes core values, career growth, employee well-being, and community engagement. As one of North Carolina’s Top 125 Private Companies, Mako Medical stands out not only for its innovative approach to healthcare diagnostics but also for its commitment to being an exemplary employer. Price’s focus on values-based hiring, comprehensive wellness programs, and impactful community initiatives has set a high standard in the startup world, demonstrating how these practices can drive success.
For aspiring entrepreneurs and startup founders, Price’s strategies at Mako Medical offer valuable lessons in building a positive workplace. By aligning a company’s mission with employee needs and social impact, leaders can create an environment where team members are not only productive but also genuinely engaged and fulfilled. Chad Price’s journey with Mako Medical exemplifies the potential of a people-first approach, paving the way for startups to thrive while making a lasting impact on both their teams and communities.