Buffer is committed to a core set of values that includes: Focus on Self-Improvement. However, a single value does not lead to action. Structure and support are needed to back up values.
Suzanne, Buffer’s Operations Manager. My role includes building and executing systems to help us turn our values in reality. In this article I will discuss how Buffer encourages self-improvement, and what our team members are doing to tap into these resources.
Here’s a sneak peek at the behind-the-scenes.
Growth Mindset Fund
Buffer offers a $1,000 bonus to every team member. Growth Mindset Fund. This flexible approach is designed to promote self-improvement, and to build skills amongst the team.
Name “Growth Mindset Fund” This idea comes from the research conducted by psychologist Carol Dweck in relation to growth mindset. Dr. Dweck is credited with introducing the concept that talents are not fixed, and that effort and learning can result in improvement.
“In the fixed mindset, everything is about the outcome. If you fail—or if you’re not the best—it’s all been wasted. The growth mindset allows people to value what they’re doing regardless of the outcome . They’re tackling problems, charting new courses, working on important issues.” Carol Dweck, in her book Mindset.
Here’s a list of some things our colleagues have spent their Growth Mindset Fund on:
- The courses are designed to develop or enhance a specific skill.⤵️
- Mentorship or coaching one-on-one is a specific form of coaching.⤵️
- Members of professional organizations are able to benefit from their membership.⤵️
- Software or productivity tools, in particular⤵️
The Growth Mindset Fund and Conferences funds have been used by team members to finance conferences. I will cover this in more depth in the next section.
The Conferences
Attending conferences, building relationships and listening to others within the industry are all ways that some team members prefer to learn.
Every year we select a few individuals to be recognized as Conférences clés Buffer’s team members would be able to benefit by attending these conferences. While the list may change, we still find a number of conferences to be valuable.
Buffer will cover all expenses, from travel to meals and accommodation to registration. These conferences are strategic investments both for the company as well as the teammate. Our team often presents at conferences, as we enjoy building and learning in front of others.
They can attend any conference they choose, even if it isn’t on our list of key conferences. The Growth Mindset Fund would pay up to $1000 of the conference costs.
You can learn more about what Tami learned at SXSW in London by reading her blog. in this article(If you’re curious!).
Books Unlimited
Also, we believe reading is an effective way to develop and learn.
Each teammate gets a free Kindle for joining Buffer, and they can choose any audiobooks or digital books they want. No need to approve. It is not necessary to link it to the work.
All books can help us to expand our minds and our creative abilities. This is why we support all kinds of books, including science fiction, romance and leadership titles.
Want to know what we are reading? What are we reading? buffer.com/books Take a look at the ever-changing team library.
Right team 🤝 Right support
Everyone has a different way of learning. Every year, learning can look completely different! Some players focus their learning on developing a single new skill per year. Some teams dip in and out of new subjects on a monthly basis. Some prefer solo learning. Other people are more comfortable in a group. It’s important to us that the structure we build is flexible enough to handle all this.
In the end, no system will work without the correct people. We ask applicants to make a video describing something new they learned. We love to look for lifelong learner candidates who will flourish in our company. While we have the resources and tools to help you grow, our team members’ passion, curiosity and drive to learn are what will make your self-improvement come to life.
You’re welcome
How do you like to learn best — books, courses, conferences, mentorship, something else entirely?
Would love to know. Share what has helped you to grow in the last few months.
