Investing in the team: How Journey Group prioritizes its people

This article was originally published by Jodi Schwan of SiouxFalls.Business.

The family had just welcomed a new infant when devastating rain began.

Last summer, as they were coming home from the hospital, floods threatened their home near McCook Lake.

“They were discharged from the hospital the day before the flood, had filled their fridge because everyone was planning to be home, and then they had to evacuate,” said Jamison Mutschelknaus, president of 1J Homes, which is part of Journey Group.

“So they grabbed what they could and went to stay with family.”

While their home ultimately survived, the community was devastated. Journey’s team rallied behind the family, donating everything from diapers to household items, bedding, clothes and toys and money.

“I think we took two carloads down, and once they could get back into the home, we were able to get in with generators, fans and dehumidifiers to take care of what we could as quickly as possible,” Mutschelknaus said.

While it was uplifting to see Journey Group rally in support of a team member, it also wasn’t surprising he said.

“There are a lot of times I see Journey just step up and help,” he said. “It’s everything from vouchers to buy boots, to prescription safety glasses, to help buying tools. Our goal is to get you working and get you a great job with a great company, and if we can take away some obstacles, that’s the goal.”

Obstacles happen in life, and when they do, “we want to be there to go the extra mile and offer additional help when we can,” said Heather Zweifel, chief people officer at Journey Group.

“We know the employee experience is bigger and broader than the hours you spend at work, and we’re committed to showing our people we care about them first and foremost as people.”

At Journey Group, the focus increasingly is on its 425-person team.

The Sioux Falls-based, full-service construction company has invested in people and programs designed to elevate the entire team, supporting team members in their current situations and offering a path forward to grow their careers.

The people services leadership team recently expanded to include two new roles: Brandy Nielsen, the workforce development director for Journey Group, and Christy Ward, Journey Group’s leadership development director.

With more than 15 years of experience, Nielsen is an expert in streamlining HR infrastructure and executing targeted talent acquisition and retention initiatives.

“I really like development of people and embracing that ‘hire to retire’ mentality, ensuring we’re able to keep talent within the company,” Nielsen said. “It’s a fun role to be creative and really focus on people.”

Journey Group is committed to investing in both new and long-term team members, she added.

“I’ve been learning all the different elements of our business and honing in on how we can best support our team, whether it’s bringing in teachers, or sending them for training, or even supporting them if they’re looking at going back to school.”

With more than 20 years of experience, Ward is an expert in strategy development, leadership and project management.

“Journey Group’s reputation precedes it, and their core values very much fit with my personal values,” she said. “They’re all about people, the communities we serve and integrity, so that was a big draw.”

Ward, who came from health care, said she’s finding construction a similarly dynamic industry. While her role focuses on leadership development, “I have a mindset that everyone is a leader; you don’t have to have direct reports to lead,” she said.

“My role is heavily focused on helping new leaders succeed and helping seasoned leaders build their teams and create strong team dynamics. The organizations that figure out the people piece will win in the market, and Journey Group really understands that.”

As both Ward and Nielsen have gotten to know their colleagues at Journey Group, the culture already seems clear, they said.

“When I ask people why they chose Journey or why they’ve been here 30 years, they always say we just have really caring, professional, down-to-earth, great people here,” Ward said. “That’s the theme. People really respond to the Journey family.”

You can feel it in the field too, Nielsen said.

“You can sense the camaraderie,” she said. “I was on a job site recently, and the safety team member was asking about the superintendent’s family, so it’s obvious they truly care, and it’s not only co-worker to co-worker but the leaders all the way through.”

Journey Group also is committed to asking for team member feedback regularly, partnering with Gallup on a new annual engagement survey that drew a strong response from the team.

“We want to hear from everyone, and as we get survey results back, we’ll put action plans together and work with teams to build those collectively, so everyone will have a chance to weigh in on how we can improve,” Ward said.

Additionally, the company brought in interpreter headsets for its annual meeting so every team member could hear the presentation in their native language.

“Part of caring for our people is meeting them where they’re at,” Zweifel said.

Considering joining the team? There are opportunities, in addition to an outstanding benefits package with lowered insurance premiums for the coming year and even an option for free single-coverage health insurance.

“We’re hiring and are fortunate we have a backlog of work, so we have awesome projects lined up for the year,” Zweifel said.

“We’re continuing to build up our team of project managers and superintendents, and are gearing up and hire a variety of construction workers and skilled trade professionals as we start the season.”

To learn more about building your career at Journey Group, click here.