At O.C. Tanner, we’re known for creating meaningful recognition experiences to inspire and appreciate great work around the world. We make a difference people love. And that’s something we take very seriously (although we also have a lot of fun along the way). We hope this gives you ideas and inspiration for creating your own culture of great work. For more tips and best practices, download our recognition checklist or visit us at octanner.com.

1. The O.C. Tanner
Culture Code
Creating a culture of great work
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Meals on WheelsJordan School District
YWCA

2. At O.C. Tanner, we’re known for
creating meaningful recognition
experiences to inspire and appreciate
great work around the world.
We make a difference people love.
And that’s something we take very
seriously (although we also have a lot
of fun along the way).

3. Appreciation is part of our DNA.
Our culture code is how we live it.
How we inspire it. And how we
bring our “a” game every day.
THE GAME

4. So, what’s the
O.C. Tanner difference?
We can think of a
thousand things. But
we’ve identified these
nine principles as a
good place to start.

5. 1. we are dynamic and diverse
click to see video online

6. 251 203 5 1510
2. we help build great careers

7. your first day
Every employee starts work here with an a.
Our “a” stands for our business, of course,
the art and science of appreciation. But it’s
also a reminder of who you are: an a-player,
a difference maker, someone who will bring
their very best.

8. your place
on the team
Employees at O.C. Tanner
go through a rigorous hiring
process — individualized by
department — to make sure
they’re a good fit. It works.
Our average employee
tenure is 15.1 years.
average tenure
15.1years

9. your growing
influence
Understanding the career
mindset of employees
as they grow helps us
fine-tune expectations,
communications, and
training and development.
Click here to see research
highlights from a study
on year-level psychology
we commissioned.

10. your impact
At milestone anniversaries
employees receive a personalized
Yearbook™ featuring a great
selection of awards to choose
from, as well as a note of
congratulations from their leader
and uploaded photos of the team.

11. 3. we cheer each other on

12. team
celebrations
we’re big on
presentation
thanks for
everyday
effort
great brand
name awards
where
leaders
build trust
symbols of
company
pride

13. tanner cares
Tanner Cares offers financial
assistance to employees in
times of extreme need. The
money comes from all of us.
For every dollar an employee
contributes to a community
charity during an annual
drive, the company matches
the donation dollar for dollar
into Tanner Cares.
4. we care for each other and
the community

14. giveability
Obert used to measure
the company’s success
by asking his accountant,
“What’s our giveability?”
We like that measuring
stick, too. That’s why we
earmark at least 10% of
the profits we earn for
philanthropy.
Click to learn more.United Way
Utah Food Bankucation Foundation
University of Utah
Utah State University
am Young University
Race for the Cure
y
hildren’s Center
onald McDonald House
tsman Cancer Foundation
Habitat for Humanity
Primary Children’s Hospital
Pioneer Theatre Companyundation
Calvary Baptist Church
ediate School
Coalition
phony and Opera
YWCA
10%
at least

15. refreshing the spirit
It makes us proud to work for a company that gives:
44,000 complimentary tickets gifted to our
community to attend the Tanner Gift of Music,
a concert series featuring the Utah Symphony,
Mormon Tabernacle Choir and invited guest soloists
like James Taylor.
The Tanner Lectures on Human Values, an endowed
lectureship at Oxford, Cambridge, Princeton,
Harvard, Stanford, Yale and the Universities of Utah,
Michigan, and California, was established by Obert
C. Tanner to “contribute to the intellectual and moral
life of mankind.”
Fountains! More than 40 fountains, given as
community gifts, now beautify the landscapes of
schools, hospitals, parks and universities around the
country.

16. FAMILY
AMUSEMENT
PARK DAY
HOLIDAY
LUNCHEON
BUFFET
A DAY
AT THE
BALLPARK
B-BALL
SOCCER
PING-PONG
FOOSBALL
DARTS
GYM
APPRECIATION
STATIONS
COMPANY
PICNICS
TANNER
GIFT OF
MUSIC
CONCERTS
ANNUAL
GOLF
TOURNAMENT
5. we have fun together

17. 6. we invest in our people

18. FinanceBodyMind
we invest in
employee
wellbeing
O.C. Tanner invites employees
to join in My Wellness, an
innovation that encourages
everyone in the company
to eat, work out, hydrate,
sleep, and be well. We
have an active O.C. Tanner
community participating,
checking in daily to track
progress and see who’s
leading the week’s challenge.

19. we invest in
developing talent
With Coaching Camps for employees
who want to pursue leadership roles.
A library of rich tools and training
on our Expect Great Work intranet
site. Tuition reimbursement for those
wanting to continue their education.
Travel to conferences and new ideas
showcases, and more.

20. Innovation is in
our DNA
From Obert Tanner’s first-ever corporate
emblematic awards to our new idea incubator,
TannerLabs. Throughout, we rely on our
employees to speak up, solve problems and
invent what’s next. Employees share. Leaders
listen. And the company grows.
1927
a company is born an industry takes shape continuous improvement olympic gold best sellers tanner labs is created
19451927 1999 2002 2013 2014
7. we encourage innovation

21. made
here
Since 2000, our
handcrafted rings
have helped the
United States Olympic
Committee celebrate
the great work of
their Olympic and
Paralympic athletes,
coaches, teams, and
staff members.
8. we take pride in creativity

22. 9. we are united by a
common cause
We appreciate people who believe we’re bigger together
than we are apart. Who work shoulder-to-shoulder, even
when we don’t see eye-to-eye. Who have great ideas,
ingenious solutions and a collaborative spirit. Who
watch out, speak up and work safely. And who realize
that ultimately we’re in the most important business of
all: the business of valuing others.
— O.C. Tanner, our people statement

23. We hope this gives you
ideas and inspiration for
creating your own culture
of great work. For more
tips and best practices,
download our recognition
checklist or visit us at
octanner.com.