Success begins with culture
When employees walk with swagger, it’s a sure sign you’re on the right path.
When economists look to measure the health of the U.S. economy, they often turn to corporate giants like Walmart, Amazon, Chevron, and Ford. While these Fortune 500 firms provide valuable data, the real driving force behind the economy is much closer to home, small businesses across the country.
The same perspective applies within the distribution industry. While large corporations may dominate headlines and balance sheets, it’s often the smaller, independent distributors, many of them STAFDA members, who are actively shaping the industry’s future.
In the business world, success is typically measured by revenue. But for the average employee, success often hinges on something more personal: whether they feel valued, cared for, and connected to the mission of their workplace.
Every business wants to grow and be profitable, but the path taken to get there matters just as much. That path is often defined by the company’s culture, the set of shared values and attitudes that originate from leadership and influence every corner of the organization.
Leadership behavior plays a critical role in shaping company culture. In fact, studies indicate that over 70% of employee behavior is modeled on the behavior of their managers. Strong leadership fosters positive, productive workplaces, while poor management often leads to toxic environments.
True success, whether financial or cultural, only resonates when it’s felt throughout the organization. It’s when every team member, regardless of title, believes they play a meaningful role in the company’s journey.
Contrast that with large organizations of 20,000-plus employees, where culture often feels diluted. A mission statement or core values may hang on a wall, but without authentic reinforcement, it can feel more like Scotch tape or Elmer’s glue, barely holding things together.
When employees are rewarded for their contributions, offered real opportunities for growth, and feel genuinely connected to their leaders and peers, they become the driving force behind a company’s success.
A prime example of this dynamic is in this issue’s cover subject, Green Bay, Wisconsin-based Packer Fastener.
The foundation of their success lies in their culture, or as they call it, their “swagger.” This wasn’t a marketing gimmick or a top-down mandate. It was built from the ground up, born out of a simple employee survey and shaped by those who live it every day.
If you’re working to build or promote a strong culture within your own company, borrow a page from their book. When employees walk with swagger, it’s a sure sign you’re on the right path.
Ryan Whisner
rwhisner@directbusinessmedia.com
CONTRACTOR SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The August/September 2025 issue of Contractor Supply magazine is here!
Our cover story, Forged in Friendship and Fasteners, Under the leadership of Terry Albrecht, Packer Fastener is built on people, not jut nuts and bolts in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Plan your trip to the 2025 STAFDA Convention and Trade Show in Phoenix, Arizona with our convention planner.
Also in this issue are Industry Updates on Corded Electric Tools; Generators and Power Stations; and Saw Blades and Cutting Tools.
This digital edition, sponsored by BECK AMERICA Inc., is fully searchable and contains live links to every advertiser and new product listing. Click away!
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