Local Business Lead with Corporate Culture

Although definitions of corporate culture can vary from business to business; employing happy, engaged and informed employees can go a long way in running a successful company that can retain dedicated staff and invoke and sustain a positive atmosphere.

Indeed.com shares its definition of corporate culture as “an organization’s values, ethics, vision, behaviors and work environment. It is what makes each company unique, and it impacts everything from public image to employee engagement and retention…”

A strong corporate culture can help a company reach it goals, differentiate a business from its competition, lead to increased productivity and profit, and aid in hiring and retaining the right employees. Whether a company started small when its doors first opened or is incorporating corporate culture years later, the benefits are immeasurable.

Candoris: Driven by Core Values and Unified in Service

Candoris, a digital solutions provider and collaborative technology partner, purchased its first office space in Annville in 2013, just two years after it was founded. In March 2021, the company celebrated its 10th anniversary, and in August 2021, Candoris was acquired by CDI, a large and growing East Coast IT solutions provider.

Candoris is Latin for sincerity, integrity, openness and trust, the core principles the company was founded on. “In creating Candoris, my brother Lucas and I pursued a vision about the right way a company should be run, namely: if you treat people the right way and do the right thing, good things happen,” shared Stephan Van Der Ploog, president and chief accountability officer. Candoris built its mission around serving others and consistently demonstrates it through the company’s financial support of various organizations that impact children around the world; through medicine, education, and clean water initiatives. In addition, Candoris employees are given 40 hours of paid volunteer time each year.

As predicted, good things have undoubtedly happened for Candoris. Candoris has been named one of the best places to work in PA since 2015 and one of Central Penn Business Journal’s Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies since 2014. Many of these accomplishments can be attributed to an early foundation built on culture and values. It’s their “secret sauce.” “The Candoris culture has attracted employees with shared values that care about making an impact,” explained Leron Lehman, chief operating officer. “This translates into a healthy environment, positive customer experiences, and ultimately a successful organization.”

The local company began with a unique and intentional corporate culture in place and its leaders intend to preserve it as they continue to build the company in partnership with CDI. More information about Candoris, including its corporate culture and services, can be found at www.candoris.com.

We are inspired by the idea that our time, talent, and resources are not our own, but given to us so that we may serve others. Our interactions within our team, with our customers, and with the communities we serve through our nonprofit support are guided by these core principles: • Humility, unity, truth: absence of negativity, politics and selfishness • Creating and leveraging innovation to solve problems • Respect and honor family and life priorities • Intentionally impacting others through profits and servanthood • Steadfast commitment to doing the right thing • Equally as important, we measure our success not by profit, but by the satisfaction of our customers.

VF, one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies, owning popular brands such as VANS and The North Face, opened its East Coast distribution center in Jonestown in 2019. Although it started with just 12 employees, the VF distribution center currently employs close to 380 people. Corporate culture has been a priority from the beginning. “VF embraces diversity in our workforce and prioritizes collaboration and respect. People are first, our employees are first. They are on the frontlines every day at work and are the most important part of our corporate culture,” shared Corinne Bashore, human resources generalist for VF.

The VF distribution center fosters corporate culture through employee-centric events, such as appreciation days, dress-up days, attendance programs, as well as community outreach. “We want to make sure our employees know we appreciate them. We provide water bottles on hot days. We’ve walked around and handed out donuts. We celebrate achievements and we thank them,” said Corinne, who also noted that communication is key. “It’s important to be transparent. As leaders know more, they disperse that information in a timely manner. We also hold monthly meetings with employees to get feedback on what they need or what we could be doing differently.”

Although the distribution center in Jonestown has only been around for a few years, VF has been in business for 120 years and takes pride in its commitment to being more than just an apparel and footwear company. VF strives to be a force of good in the world, and its corporate culture sets that stage. “Corporate culture, and the building of our corporate culture here at the Jonestown distribution center, makes a difference because it helps foster a healthy team environment,” explained Corinne. “Working together drives us towards a common goal that benefits not only the employee, but VF as a whole.”

Learn more about VF’s corporate culture, brands, and available careers at www.vfc.com.

Our Guiding Principles inform how we show up in all aspects of our work. They set forth the expectations we have for ourselves and each other. Embracing these behaviors and attitudes as a whole enables us to foster an inclusive and respectful culture where everyone can thrive.

We power movements of sustainable and active lifestyles for the betterment of people and our planet.

1. Live with Integrity. Be authentic and do the right thing, always. 2. Act Courageously. Think and act boldly. 3. Be Curious. Explore the world, learn and evolve. 4. Act with Empathy. Seek to understand and respect others.

Persevere. Persist and work together as One VF.