At every company I have worked for, knowledge sharing had always been a huge challenge. Despite efforts to create shared drives, use tools like Microsoft Teams, or set-up formal interdepartmental exchanges, there never seemed to be a long-term solution, and exorbitant amounts of time and effort were wasted reinventing wheels.
Macaroni KID on the other hand excels at knowledge sharing. Its had me pondering why that is and I've come to believe that it is not something that can be achieved by processes and procedures alone, but through a cultivated corporate culture.
I'd like to gush about the women of Macaroni KID, though I fear it will sound "culty", but this is a community of people who bolster, assist, and reassure each other. When I came on, I had my doubts regarding how helpful to each other 400+ independent publishers across the country could be. Those doubts were quickly extinguished. From Day 1, if I had a question on how to do something, I simply posted it, and within minutes I would get answers, template, links, even videos from a dozen other publishers walking me through the guidance I needed, (and I needed a lot.) This happened on Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, and every day since. And its not the same dozen+ publishers responding, it's different publishers all the time, with different experiences and knowledge to share. Macaroni KID HQ, Publishers, and even the CEO, share words of encouragement on a daily basis.
Let me repeat, we are independent licensed operators/owners. My success or failure does not directly impact my peers. There is no real incentive for other publishers to invest their time in me. Yet, it seems no one hesitates to allow you to benefit from their prior efforts. I now find myself anxious to have the experience and knowledge so that I can "pay it forward" as well. And that's what it is all about. It is a "Pay It Forward" corporate culture, that may not be easily replicated. I'm not sure you can just insert this inherent willingness to selflessly assist your co-workers into a company.
Granted, our independence also means we are not in competition with each other for subscribers, advertisers, or internal positions within a hierarchy. That lack of rivalry is definitely a contributing factor to the supportive environment, but more importantly we are all knowledge sharers by nature. It is why we enjoy doing what we do. We are mostly moms who feel compelled to share all the great family-friendly events and activities in our areas with other parents. We get a great sense of satisfaction from the prospect that our parenting tips, recommendations, and lessons learned will assist others if even in the smallest way. The desire to share knowledge is as much an innate personality trait as loyalty or risk-taking. Its not something that is taught. It stands to reason that this behavior would extend to our relationships with Macaroni KID brand partners.
Therefore, I challenge entrepreneurs and corporations alike to think about how to inspire a "Pay It Forward", and thus a more collaborative corporate culture, by seeking out the intrinsic knowledge sharers in your job applicants. Take a closer look at their "other interests" and recognize this unique quality in a PTA President, a sports coach, a class mom, a blogger, etc. - those people who are routinely imparting their earned wisdom to others with little to no benefit of their own. They will unavoidably bring that characteristic to their job and elevate your organization.
