In this episode of BR @ Work, host Will Anthony, lawyer and Partner at Blank Rome LLP is joined by Marla Persky, experienced attorney and co-founder of WOMN LLC, and Kim Gacso, Founder of Shine, LLC. Marly and Kim discuss how a strong company ethos adds value to an organization.

Creating a strong company ethos can be the guiding factor for decision-making, including decisions related to hiring, talent management, investment, and customer service.

Throughout this episode, Will and his guests highlight the importance of operating in a way that aligns with company values.

“We've all heard that old phrase, culture eats strategy for breakfast,” says Kim. “From my experience in 25 years of HR, and particularly in leadership development and team coaching, it could not be a more true statement. You can have the best intentions, you can have words on a wall, but if the culture isn't living and breathing what you want that ethos to be, you're never going to execute on the strategy that you've put out.”

Will, Marla, and Kim also provide practical tips for HR professionals and legal teams who are struggling behind-the-scenes to manage the many tasks thrown at them on a day-to-day basis.

Their advice includes giving professionals in the field permission to try new strategies and shift approaches or when something doesn’t work.

New policies and processes don’t need to be perfect to be worth trying. Marla and Kim both stress the importance of strategic prioritization at a time when many teams feel overwhelmed with the number of tasks they’re managing.

Name: William J. Anthony

What he does: As a Partner at Blank Rome, Will’s labor and employment practice focuses on class, collective, and multi-party actions. He also provides training on management skills, discrimination, harassment, and other labor topics nationwide.

Company: Blank Rome LLP

Words of wisdom: “I have always encouraged my clients to have a well-publicized, well known, and well used internal complaint procedure, something where people have the opportunity to raise any concerns or thoughts, suggestions — a way to communicate internally.”

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Name: Marla Persky

What she does: As a Corporate Board Director/Advisor, Marla has accumulated 20+ years of international senior business and legal experience leading global pharmaceutical, device, diagnostic, biologic, and over-the-counter (OTC) product businesses and legal departments. She has a background in M&A/ROI optimization expertise as a key member of acquisition teams both in the US and globally. Marla is the co-founder of WOMN LLC, a consulting company dedicated to helping women succeed in the business of law.

Company: WOMN LLC | BarkerGilmore

Words of wisdom: “We want to make a difference. We want to have an impact. We want to be proud of what we're doing and who we're doing it with. And so the positive message is, take the time to circumvent your life and find what makes you happy and do more of it.”

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