Large company winner: The Container Store never rests on its laurels

When asked what makes The Container Store so special, employees said: Senior managers understand what is really happening at this company.

Co-founder and chief executive Kip Tindell knows that no company is ever perfect.

So while his company is renowned for taking care of customers as a way of taking care of business, he’s always tinkering — with everything.

As a result, the national retailer of all things organizational tops our large company list for the second consecutive year, having been No. 2 in 2010 and 2011. It didn’t enter in 2009.

“We work to get better in all that we do every single day,” Tindell says. “Our foundation principle says: ‘Intuition doesn’t come to an unprepared mind. You need to train before it happens.’ We want our employees to use their intuition coupled with the hundreds of hours of training we provide them.”

Magic happens when employees’ inner souls are unleashed.

“That is when true innovation occurs,” he says. “It does, however, require an environment built on trust and one where mistakes are hugged and not shunned — employees must feel truly safe and secure for this to work.”

Continuous improvement and opportunity for employees also translate into a constant evolution of services and products.

The Container Store recently began a pilot program in the Dallas-Fort Worth area called At Home, which brings its storage and organization expertise and products into customers’ homes. Given the early success, it plans to roll out the idea systemwide.

“People have been asking for this for years and years, and I’m now proud to say, ‘We do house calls’ — soon all over the country,” Tindell says. “We believe our new At Home service speaks to the opportunity that we know is abundant at The Container Store — for our employees and our many customers.”

The national retailer loves its customers and vendors but makes no bones that employees come first.

It offers industry-leading health benefits, wellness and employee assistance programs — not to mention a 40 percent discount on merchandise and half off on Elfa, its best-selling organization system.

There are recruiting bonuses, generous vacation and holiday leave — even a masseuse who comes once a week to its headquarters and distribution center in Coppell for a small fee.

This year, The Container Store celebrated its 35th anniversary, having opened for business in a 1,600-square-foot store at Preston Road and Forest Lane in 1978.

“As we grew and opened more stores, there unfortunately came a time when we just couldn’t take all our employees out for margaritas and Mexican food to explain how the culture should feel and the company would operate,” Tindell recalls.

That’s when the company wrote down its seven values-based business philosophies that guide every decision The Container Store makes.

“That was a monumental time in our history,” Tindell says. “Without a doubt, the foundation principles set the tone for and have become the heart of our culture.”

So what makes The Container Store’s workers happy?

When employees were asked for a single descriptor, they used adjectives such as: love, matchless, passion, family, sweet, security, support, mindful and magical.

Tindell calls it yummy.

“What does it mean to be yummy?” Tindell asks. “Well, it’s the opposite of yucky. It’s a culture where the lives of everyone connected to our business are enriched and brimming with opportunity — where everyone thrives.”

And there’s no doubt that employees find yummy to be pretty delectable.

Container Store employees love their jobs because:

“Everyone is treated as family and friends. You cannot say that at many places. It feels so wonderful and fun coming to work.”

“I am empowered to always do the right thing.”

“I am free to bring new ideas to the table without reservation, and they will be looked at accordingly.”

“I am given a lot of latitude in determining what projects I get involved in based on where I can add value, and these are typically the projects that interest me most.”

“I am not asked to just merely complete tasks but feel included in determining the future direction of the company.”

“It is challenging and never routine. I love the diversity of the job.”

“I am given the support to navigate my career within the company.”

“Each and every day, we improve the lives of our customers with timesaving solutions and improve the lives of our employees by nurturing a workplace where people are truly cared for.”