The business landscape has changed drastically over the past several years – successful companies are growing at a much faster rate than they have in the past and adaptability has replaced stability as a critical competitive advantage. Being adaptable in a work environment is not as easy as it may sound, and many companies have suffered devastating consequences as a result of their inability to evolve. Does Blackberry or Blockbuster ring a bell, anyone?

Thankfully, the ability to adapt is a skill that can be acquired, and one particular kind of professional has become a pro at this – early stage start-up employees. These are individuals that have joined a company during its beginning stages and contributed significantly to its success. Here are three things all workers can learn from start-up employees.

1. Prioritize Customers

The larger a business gets, the less time employees spend interacting with customers. People that work for large organizations typically focus on their role within a specific department, whether it’s Marketing, HR, or Research & Development. This oftentimes leads to a disconnect between customers and the organization as a whole, and the customer’s voice gets lost in the strategic planning process.

Early-stage start-up employees understand the importance of prioritizing customers because they remember what it was like to interact with their very first clients. They have valuable insight into customer purchasing behaviour and bring that with them into all their business decisions. Customer-centric approaches for the win!

2. Don’t Take A Backseat

As a company grows, roles get much more specific, which can sometimes lead to employees taking a backseat. If you aren’t naturally a go-getter, why wouldn’t you take advantage of having less responsibility?

For start-up employees, taking a backseat simply isn’t an option. Start-ups typically have pretty small teams, and it’s glaringly obvious which team members are sinking and which are swimming. Since employees are much more visible in a start-up environment, they tend to be more invested in what they’re doing and take ownership over their responsibilities.

3. Keep The Company Mission Top of Mind

A company mission is the focal point that helps direct organizational strategy. It is the heart and soul of a company, and it provides the purpose necessary to drive an organization towards its goals. Unfortunately, a company’s mission can sometimes get lost as it grows, and new people are brought on board.

Start-up employees have a deeper understanding of the reason behind their organization’s existence because they were there during the early days when all the nitty gritty details were still being worked out. They remember the struggle of pitching their company to potential clients and all the blood, sweat, and tears that made it into what it is today. Armed with this knowledge, they are better able to maintain a strong sense of purpose.

At Project Spaces, we’ve personally witnessed the power of start-ups for the past eight years. Our community-first coworking spaces have housed several start-ups and our array of services has helped our members to succeed. If you’re a start-up founder that’s looking for a place to give your hustle a home, book a tour of our spaces today!