Thunder Funding Named As One Of 2018’s Best Places to Work in San Diego!
Thunder Funding has recently been named as one of the 2018 Best Places to Work in San Diego by the San Diego Business Journal! We sat down with John Downing, the President of Thunder Funding, as he shared how Thunder prioritizes employee engagement, fun, and workplace empowerment.
1. How do you make sure employees see a clear link between their work and the company’s goals and objectives?
John: Employee engagement is and always will be a priority for us and it’s important to us that the staff feel connected to what’s happening at Thunder. To make sure everyone is on board and up to speed, we have regular staff gatherings in our Thunder Cafe where we share our goals and objectives with the team. We connect remotely with our outside offices and give everyone a chance to ask questions. We constantly share with them the challenges men and women face in the trucking industry and how our services help to provide a vital link to their success.
2. How do you make sure your employees have all the information they need to do their job well and to also feel empowered in their role?
John: We use specialized software to help the staff efficiently handle their day-to-day operations and provide a lot of regular, ongoing training to ensure their skills remain sharp and relevant. We keep office doors open and everyone is accessible any time. Having a real open-door policy and working in a collaborative space where visual communication thrives helps promote cross-training with every client phone call we field.
Our staff is also empowered to make decisions on every client call. Our phones are answered by real folks — not machines! And, on those calls, a client can have their questions answered immediately. We provide the latest technology from desktop computers and monitors to the most up-to-date software, thus making every staff member more efficient and empowered to get through their busy day.
3. What does the team at Thunder Funding do to have fun and bond with one another?
John: The office has a great Southern California flair and a really creative workspace environment. We have high ceilings, skylights, a roll-up door, a giant 20′ fan, surfboards, skateboards, beach cruisers, darts, indoor golf, and an amazing company cafe nicknamed the Thunder Cafe where we provide complimentary healthy snacks and a stocked drink fridge. You’ll regularly see staff playing a board game together on our big, communal table or enjoying the outdoor patio. We have regular events from our version of ‘The Biggest Loser’ and ‘Jeopardy’ to spur-of-the-moment indoor putting or dart tournaments. This type of culture promotes a healthy work-life balance and builds a naturally enthusiastic setting that resonates through the calls with our Clients.
4. How does Thunder Funding give back to its community?
John: We make it a point to support causes that are near and dear to us. To name a few:
– Women in Trucking
– Toys for Tots
– American Legion
– Various Epilepsy charities
The staff sees this and it makes them proud to be a part of a company that is committed to making a difference in its community. And, we hope to inspire other companies to do the same.