“Following your gut” might be a cliche as a phrase, but a job candidate’s gut reaction to how a company feels is one of the most important factors in their decision to join — or not join — the team.
It’s estimated that 46 percent of job seekers put a good company culture as the make-or-break item when they choose to apply to a company. On the flip side, 91 percent of managers in the United States say a candidate’s alignment with the company culture is equal to or even more important than experience.
Company culture is what brings many candidates through the door, but for the fintech company MineralTree it’s also the focus of leadership ethos for those like Head of Marketing Susan Vaillancourt.
“Having a strong culture makes our team members feel like they are part of something important,” said Vaillancourt. “I believe that. I want that to be an integral part of who we are as a company.”
Built In sat down with Vaillancourt to hear more about her approach to leadership and what stands out about the company culture at MineralTree.
What’s your vision for leading your team at MineralTree?
It is essential to me that every marketing team member has a complete understanding of the market, our customers’ needs and how we as a company can enable our customers to achieve their goals. Our focus is on continuing to ensure that we are making it as easy as possible for our customers to do business with MineralTree, operating with excellence and building an amazing culture.
Why is MineralTree’s company culture so important?
I want MineralTree’s culture to be second to none. A great culture enables us to retain our most talented people and attract the right new talent to the organization. It aligns our team members around the vision, mission and objectives of the organization.
How do you help your team stretch their skills and learn new things?
I’m relatively new to MineralTree, but extremely fortunate to have inherited a team of smart, talented and intellectually curious marketing professionals. I am constantly looking for opportunities for team members to lead projects that stretch them beyond their comfort zones. We must be uncomfortable to grow, and we often learn by doing.
We must be uncomfortable to grow, and we often learn by doing.”
I am a big reader and podcast listener. I regularly send relevant articles and podcast episodes to my team members to encourage them to think in new ways, or to learn more about new concepts we’ve been discussing. And finally, I encourage team members to sign up for specialized courses and conferences where they will get deeper knowledge in their area of focus.
It sounds like learning and staying ahead of the curve is important to you. What is something exciting that MineralTree is working on to stay ahead in your industry?
Since the pandemic, businesses and consumers alike have changed the way they buy. My team and I have been working really closely with sales and customer success to design a more modern and aligned go-to-market motion that will enable us to achieve even better results. I’m really excited to begin executing on that motion in the first quarter of next year, and to refine and further build our engine as we progress through 2024 and beyond.
How do you encourage team members to support each other?
We are fortunate to be part of Global Payments, where we have a wealth of expertise to tap into. I continuously work to connect my team members with others in their areas of expertise — within Global Payments and within my external network — for regular conversations about relevant topics and to brainstorm solutions to problems they’re experiencing.
What sets MineralTree apart from other employers? What impact does working there have on someone’s career?
I truly wake up every single day excited to go to work. The culture at this company is, without a doubt, amongst the most wonderful cultures I’ve experienced in my career. Colleagues at every level are kind, supportive and respectful. We push each other to think in different ways, which is really exciting and fun.
This is a great place for anyone who is seeking exponential opportunities to learn and grow, the chance to solve interesting business problems, and the good fortune to work alongside and collaborate with really smart colleagues who trust and care for each other.
