Next Big Thing

Remember: In the absence of intentional culture, toxic culture will emerge. We've seen this play out in countless startups across industries, hobbling their ability to attract and keep the talent they need to grow. VCs, protecting your investments means encouraging founders to build intentional cultures from day one. Grab our deck to learn more about our approach.

A new generation of workers prioritizes sustainability and meaningful impact, steering clear of environmentally harmful industries. However, some climate tech startups face a dilemma: engaging with these sectors for vital transformations that eliminate their negative impacts. How can climate tech startups bridge the gap to attract top talent amidst this challenge? We delve into strategies for aligning transformative work with the values of potential hires.

We’re back from a restful Labor Day weekend and as we step into September, we're reflecting on the wonderful (and busy!) August that we had. Last month, we had the privilege of running our Culture Catalyst program, guiding a group of amazing founders through the process of creating their own strong, values-driven company cultures. At Next Big Thing, we believe that intentional culture-building is crucial for business success. Our August program reinforced this belief and provided invaluable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by early-stage startups. One founder began incorporating the learnings in her day-to-day work and we were so happy to hear how some of her practices and work norms were improving. And we were so moved when she told us: "We change lives." It certainly reinforced why we do this work. We're so inspired by these founders' commitment to creating workplaces where innovation, well-being, and purpose thrive. As we move into a new season, we're excited to see how these founders will continue to shape their company cultures. Read more about our Culture Catalyst program on our blog: https://lnkd.in/g4WgPCV6 If you’re a founder looking to build a strong cultural foundation for your startup, reach out! We'd love to connect and explore how we can support your journey. #StartupCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #DiversityInTech #CultureCatalyst

The science of human values serves as the foundation for our Culture Catalyst program. "Values-based" gets thrown around a lot, but most corporate value statements miss the mark. Here's why: 🙄 Overused phrases: When 90% of companies use words like "integrity" in their values, it's not only hard to stand out, these words lose their meaning. 🤔 Vague virtues: Listing character traits without context leaves you open to misinterpretation. 🤡 Disconnect from reality: Many values feel out of touch with today's changing world — from the climate crisis to generational shifts in cultural values, too many organizations stick with outdated platitudes. 🤖 Misalignment with employee experience: Too often, there's a gap between stated values and workplace culture because companies aren't intentional about making values actionable internally. So how can startups create meaningful values? 💙 Focus on principles and intentions, not just traits. 💪 Consider the real-world impact of your actions. 🌎 Connect your values to current cultural and societal context. 👯♀️ Ensure values are reflected in day-to-day operations and employee experiences. Remember: Strong, well-implemented values drive revenue, attract talent, and resonate with customers. They should be unique, actionable, and reflect your company's role in today's world. Ready to transform your values into a powerful cultural catalyst for your startup? We have two spots left for our 2024 Culture Catalyst program, starting next Wed. August 7th! This is a sliding scale program for underrepresented founders of early-stage companies. Sign up link in comments 👇

🚀 We're two weeks away from launch and have *two* spots left in this year's cohort of incredible, early-stage founders! Founding a new company is hard, and can be lonely. We keep the Culture Catalyst program intimate by design to encourage a sense of community and camaraderie among participating founders. 🤸♀️ Gain a supportive network of like-minded people launching world-changing companies, and hopefully even make a few new friends! All while you design the blueprint for an amazing company culture. Learn more and snag one of those two spots! 👇

Did you know... Companies with strong work cultures see 4x increase in revenue growth (Forbes). If you're an early stage founder, don't leave your startup's culture to chance. Join Culture Catalyst and build intentionally! Our free program equips underrepresented founders with tools to create thriving, inclusive workplaces. Sign up now for our August cohort: https://lnkd.in/ew8EJ6zJ #CultureDriven #StartupGrowth #FounderLife

Syllabus Sneak Peek! 👀 In our Culture Catalyst program, you'll learn how to: 1. Identify and articulate personal core values 2. Translate personal values into leadership principles 3. Develop a blueprint for a values-driven workplace culture 4. Create strategies for fostering diversity and inclusion 5. Design an action plan for implementing culture initiatives Ready to dive in? Limited spots available for our sliding scale 3-week program for underrepresented founders. Starts August 7th! Sign up today: https://lnkd.in/gR_9JVKv #LeadershipDevelopment #InclusiveCulture

🚀 Exciting News! We’ve Launched Culture Catalyst! This new program is dedicated to equipping underrepresented founders of pre-seed and early-stage startups with values-driven practices, policies, and structures to foster healthy, competitive workplace cultures. We understand that budgets are tight (and sometimes nonexistent) for early-stage companies, so our annual program is set at a sliding scale. No scale? No problem! We won't turn anyone away for lack of funds. 💡 Why Culture Catalyst? Today’s talent marketplace demands a radically different approach to culture, and we’ve designed Culture Catalyst to meet these evolving needs. This initiative directly reflects feedback from founders and VCs that support early-stage companies, emphasizing the importance of workplace culture in attracting top talent and driving sustainable growth. 📝 What You’ll Get Out of Culture Catalyst: Culture Blueprint: Develop a compelling workplace culture blueprint that differentiates your startup in the market. Inclusive Strategies: Learn actionable strategies for creating an inclusive, human-centric organization. Vision Implementation: Gain confidence in implementing your cultural vision with clarity and purpose. Leadership Principles: Refine your leadership principles to align with your cultural goals. Supportive Network: Connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and build a supportive community. 💚 Why It Matters: Recent statistics show that 86% of startup leaders believe a strong company culture is crucial for growth and investment attraction, and 92% of today's talent prioritizes working for companies that consider their team's overall well-being as people, but there are few resources available to help early-stage founders better understand how to build a healthy, human-first culture. With Culture Catalyst, we aim to provide the tools and strategies necessary to future-proof your workplace culture and turn it into your competitive advantage. ➕ Follow the Culture Catalyst Program on LinkedIn: We'll keep posting about healthy future of work trends and resources here on our main page, but give the Culture Catalyst Program Page a follow to stay updated with exclusive insights, resources, and success stories tailored to building a thriving startup culture as an early-stage founder. Click below, sign up, and let’s create the future of work, together! #CultureCatalyst #StartupCulture #InclusiveLeadership #WorkplaceWellbeing #FutureOfWork

It’s hot in NYC today! Did you know… during heatwaves, mental performance can drop by 13%? This affects all of us, not just outdoor works, with 70% of office workers reporting decreased productivity during heatwaves — even with AC. So if you're feeling off and less productive, you're not alone. Our bodies and brains are wired to slow down in extreme heat. But here's the good news: as a leader, you can make a difference. There are ways to maintain your team's wellbeing and performance with a few tweaks to your work's cultural practices: - Flexible hours: Allow early starts to beat the heat - Remote options: Empower work from cooler locations - Meeting-free afternoons: Schedule focused work during cooler morning hours - Relaxed dress code: Prioritize comfort over formality - Encourage breaks: Remind your team to use individual tactics to stay cool These small changes can lead to big improvements in both wellbeing and productivity. Here's why: - Trust and autonomy: Flexible hours and remote options show you trust your team to manage their time effectively. This boost in autonomy can increase job satisfaction by up to 40%. - Prioritizing wellbeing: By actively addressing heat-related challenges, you're demonstrating that employee comfort and health matter. This can reduce stress levels and increase engagement by up to 30%. - Improved focus: Meeting-free afternoons and encouraging breaks can lead to better concentration and creativity. Studies show that regular breaks can boost productivity by 20%. - Inclusivity: These practices create a more inclusive environment, accommodating diverse needs and preferences. Inclusive cultures are 6 times more likely to be innovative and agile. - Long-term loyalty: When employees feel their needs are considered, they're more likely to stay. Companies with strong cultures see up to 72% lower turnover rates. Remember, workplace culture isn't just about perks—it's about creating an environment where people feel valued, understood, and empowered to do their best work. Stay cool and stay hydrated, friends! (Photo by NYC Department of Parks & Recreation)

Excited to announce the launch of Culture Catalyst, a groundbreaking program for underrepresented founders! Are you a woman, LGBTQ+, or BIPOC founder leading a pre-seed, seed, or Series A startup? Join us for this transformative 3-week journey to build the culture of your dreams. Sliding scale pricing - accessible to all. 🚀 Why Culture Catalyst? - 92% of talent prioritizes companies with cultures contributing to well-being - 85% of startup leaders say culture is crucial for investment and talent attraction - 86% believe a strong company culture is vital for growth 📅 Starting August 7th: Weekly 2-hour virtual sessions + targeted activities. We designed this catalyst program to be practical, time-efficient, and tailored for early-stage founders. What you'll gain: ✅ A compelling workplace culture blueprint that contributes to market differentiation ✅ Strategies for building an inclusive, human-centric organization ✅ Confidence in implementing your cultural vision ✅ Clarity on your leadership principles ✅ A supportive network of like-minded entrepreneurs Don't miss this opportunity to turn your company's culture into your competitive advantage. Limited spots available — sign up now! Learn more and secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/gR_9JVKv