When I accepted a fully remote job offer at Lemonade Stand, I expected to treat work as just that—work. I thought I wouldn’t find anything more meaningful than a paycheck, especially working from home.
Yeah, that mindset was quickly thrown out the window the moment I was introduced to Build Then Bless (our company philosophy, and now, an employee engagement software our team built).
Now, I can honestly say that I’ve never had as an uplifting, welcoming, and powerful experience at a company, and it’s all because of our incredible employee engagement software. I know, I know… employee engagement software doesn’t exactly sound fun and exciting. But trust me, it’s completely changed the way I show up to work—and maybe it can do the same for you, too.
What Is Build Then Bless?
Okay, but what even is an “employee engagement software”? It sounds like professional jargon when you first hear it, but in the simplest terms, it’s a platform for employees to interact with each other. Build Then Bless specifically focuses on building a strong and inviting company culture.
The Software
Almost every modern business uses one of the major chat platforms to talk outside of work—think Slack, Microsoft Teams, or GroupMe—but Build Then Bless adds even more.
You can actively raise money for personal causes, recognize and appreciate your coworkers, and send someone their favorite dessert for their birthday. It’s kind of like an online break room where you can support, celebrate, and connect on a personal level.
The Philosophy
The heart of Build Then Bless is more than just creating a great company culture. It’s all in the name: build, then bless. You start by building a culture of kindness, service, and meaningful connections in the workplace, and then you let that extend outward into your community.
Since working at Lemonade Stand, Build Then Bless has given me the tools to create micro-interactions with everyone around me to hopefully spark a domino effect of positivity, service, and kindness. I feel amazing knowing I’m creating amazing relationships with my coworkers and stepping up to a greater purpose in my community.
The 6 Core Employee Engagement Features
Okay, by now you’re probably asking what exactly makes this employee engagement software so different from all the other ones on the market. Let me explain some of the core features that set Build Then Bless apart.
1. Employee Shout-Outs
This feature is nothing new—most employee engagement software offers some sort of recognition program. Build Then Bless is a little different—you can give your employees monthly spending money to add to their shoutouts.
If a coworker helps me out when I’m behind, I can give them a shout-out and attach $5 as a thank-you. Plus, anyone can add to it—my team leader could even throw in an extra $2 and thank my coworker for stepping up.
2. Important Events
When you create your Build Then Bless profile, you fill out an “Interests” section with your hobbies, favorite desserts, clothing size, etc. You also fill out your birthday and work anniversary.
These answers become public information, and every employee’s birthday and work anniversary are imported into a calendar that’s shared with the whole company. When my birthday rolls around, I know I can expect to see a big “happy birthday” message in my team chat and maybe even some treats delivered to my door!
3. Build Then Bless Funds & Stories
The Build Then Bless employee engagement software also incorporates its core philosophy into the company culture.
Each month, the company can set aside a portion of its funds to give employees their own Build Then Bless card. This is specifically used for community service, like paying for someone’s meal or donating to a local charity.
The best part? Everyone can share their stories on the Build Then Bless dashboard, and they can even connect their transactions to show the impact they made. I love scrolling through these stories to see all the creative ways people are using their Build Then Bless bucks to spark ideas of my own. Most recently, I was able to help a family member as they started their journey to having a baby.
4. Gift Requests
Birthdays and work anniversaries aren’t the only times to send a little surprise to your coworkers. Build Then Bless offers a special “Director of Happiness” role, where someone takes charge of all company gifting.
On the Build Then Bless dashboard, anyone can request a gift for a coworker—whether they’re having a rough day, just had a baby, or are celebrating a big milestone like graduation, the Director of Happiness will receive the request and follow through. (This can even be used to send gifts to clients!)
5. Community Causes
This is a brand-new feature for Build Then Bless and one that’s super exciting. Build Then Bless is all about giving back to the community, so now employees can create a cause on the Build Then Bless employee engagement platform and share it on the company or public dashboard. Then, people on Build Then Bless can use their company or personal card to donate to the cause.
I watched the very first cause posted on Build Then Bless bring so many people from different companies together to help someone in need. I just know that it must have made a huge impact on the person we were supporting.
6. Impact Map
The impact map shows every instance that an employee used their Build Then Bless funds across the country. I love seeing the visual representation of the positive impact Lemonade Stand employees are making in our communities. Every pin on the map represents a microtransaction that’s hopefully touched someone’s life.
What’s the Business Impact?
Now, obviously, Build Then Bless can completely change the personal lives of employees like me. But does it affect your business success? YES! I can confidently say that I’m a much happier employee here at Lemonade Stand than I’ve ever been at any other company. And when employees are happy, it directly translates into higher productivity and ultimately, better business results.
- Improved Retention & Reduced Turnover: Happy employees build a stable team environment. Studies show that companies with highly engaged teams experience up to 59% lower turnover rates. When people feel valued and supported, they’re more likely to stay!
- Higher Team Performance and Productivity: These naturally follow. If an employee is motivated by their work and supported by their company, they give their all to their tasks. This brings more innovation and collaboration across the board.
- Aligned Goals: An engaged workforce is one that is aligned with the goals and mission of the company. When everyone is working towards a common purpose, there’s greater cohesion and cooperation within teams. It’s a win-win for employees like me and the company as a whole!
My Personal Experience With Build Then Bless
I’ve worked at Lemonade Stand for almost two years now. I know it’s hard to understand the exact impact from an outside view, so let me share my perspective.
I found this job through a college friend—Abby Haralson—and she told me about Build Then Bless before I applied. Honestly, the idea of being responsible for company funds every month and sharing how I used them? The philosophy was awesome, but I felt some anxiety about actually…going out into the community and finding a real-life opportunity to serve.
Then I got a good look at the dashboard. What I saw was dozens of employees across every department sending thanks, joking around, sharing their own experiences, and appreciating each other. It made me want to be a part of this company culture; create my own inside jokes and find my own opportunities to Build Then Bless.
Now, I keep Build Then Bless open constantly on my work computer, and I have the app on my phone. I always take some time during lunch or the end of the day to scroll through the recent stories and shout-outs, and comment as much as I can. It’s become a daily routine for me and has even helped me build connections with coworkers I haven’t even met. Build Then Bless is truly the best employee engagement software out there. I truly believe it.
Transform Your Company Culture With Build Then Bless
If your employees are disconnected or disengaged, it’s time to introduce them to Build Then Bless! Try out our demo today and see how our software can transform your company culture for the better.
