We believe people-first companies aren’t just more resilient—they’re more powerful. Here’s how we’re building one, and what others might take from our journey.
At Aspire BCG, our work revolves around helping businesses transform—but we know transformation starts from within. That means creating an environment where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to do their best work.
Our team spans the globe—from the U.S. and Canada to Argentina, India, the Philippines, and New Zealand. With colleagues across four continents and multiple time zones, building culture isn’t about one-size-fits-all programming. It’s about designing intentional, human-centered moments of connection, honoring local holidays and customs, and creating space for each team member’s unique voice and experience. We believe work should fit life—not the other way around—and we’ve shaped our practices to reflect that.
During our March 2025 All-Hands meeting, we took a moment to step back and reflect. Not just on the metrics and milestones (which we’re proud of), but on something more foundational: how we’re nurturing a culture where people can truly thrive.
The truth is, there’s no perfect formula. But here are five practices we’ve put into motion—and some reflections that may help if you’re looking to grow something similar in your own organization.
1. Let Your Values Live in the Day-to-Day
For us, values aren’t just on the website—they’re woven into how we show up. We talk about things like:
- Being confident, but humble
- Valuing all types of intelligence—technical, emotional, strategic
- Taking ownership, showing up with empathy, and supporting each other
These aren’t just ideals—they’re the way we move through tough client moments, celebrate internal wins, and even structure our growth plans. We revisit them often to keep ourselves aligned.
If you’re reflecting on your own culture:
Ask your team where they see your values in action. If the answer is “not often,” that’s a great place to start.
2. Create Space for Learning That Actually Works
We believe growth should feel accessible—not overwhelming. So earlier this year, we surveyed our entire team to learn what skills they feel confident in, what they want to build next, and how they like to learn. The results? A thoughtful blend of aspirations across AI, process design, leadership, and more. But the bigger insight was about how our team prefers to grow: self-paced courses, mentoring, hands-on workshops, and learning by doing. From there, we created things like internal learning cohorts, Salesforce certification paths, and mentorship pairings—always with flexibility and real life in mind.
What we’ve learned:
People are hungry to grow—but not always in the same way. When you make learning personal and adaptable, it becomes a shared strength, not just a checkbox.
3. Be Curious About What Lights People Up
One of our favorite moments from this year’s team survey? Seeing what sparked curiosity in our colleagues. From public speaking to AI to business process design, the range of interests showed us just how dynamic and engaged our team really is. Rather than letting that curiosity fade into the background, we’re using it to guide what we build next—whether it’s new training opportunities or stretch assignments that align with people’s goals.
Something to consider:
Asking people where they want to grow—and actually listening—is one of the easiest, most powerful ways to show you care.
4. Celebrate the Wins (Even the Small Ones)
We make it a point to recognize progress. A new certification, a successfully wrapped project, a team member stepping into a new role—it all deserves a moment. These little acknowledgments help build momentum and reinforce that everyone’s contributions matter. Plus, it just feels good to pause and cheer each other on.
Tip:
You don’t need an elaborate rewards program to build recognition into your culture. A Slack shoutout or thoughtful email can go a long way.
5. Lead Like People Are People (Because They Are)
Above all, we try to lead with humanity. We don’t always have it all figured out—but we’re honest, supportive, and deeply invested in seeing each other grow. Leadership at Aspire means listening well, encouraging autonomy, and being willing to clear the path for others.
We often repeat our “big promise” to clients: “To meet you where you are, and take you where you want to go.” We apply that to our team, too.
Why it matters:
When people feel genuinely seen and supported, they show up with more creativity, commitment, and care.
Final Thought
Culture isn’t built in one day, or one offsite, or one values exercise. It’s shaped in the quiet, consistent ways we show up for each other. At Aspire BCG, we’re still learning and evolving—but we’re proud of what we’ve built so far. And if something in our approach resonates with you, we’d love to connect and share ideas.
Want to chat about building people-first organizations or thoughtful transformation? We’re always up for a conversation. Let’s talk →