Reference no: EM133033050
Organizational Structure and Culture at Bombas
Working at Bombas
Bombas is a comfort-focused apparel brand with a mission to help those in need. For every item purchased, a specially designed item is donated to a member of the homeless community. The company launched in 2013 after the founders learned that socks are the most requested clothing item at homeless shelters. With millions of pairs sold and donated, Bombas continues to innovate with new apparel while creating a positive impact. Inquisitive people who love to learn, understand the importance of giving, and embrace successes and failures are sure to find a place within the Bombas Hive. Bombas fosters a people-first approach - every decision is influenced by employees to ensure their personal and professional growth, fulfillment, and happiness.
Giving Back Culture
The company's passion for giving back is deeply embedded in its mission and culture. In addition to donating a specially designed item for every item purchased, Bombas encourages employees to regularly lend a helping hand - and they have multiple ways to do so. Whether it's the "Giving 101" experience, where new hires do neighborhood sock drops, to the 10-plus monthly volunteer opportunities, a job at Bombas is about more than just showing up for work every day, it's about making a difference.
Team Spirit
Employees at Bombas, also known as "Hive members," are on a collective mission to help those in need. Their shared goal and team spirit helps foster a welcoming work environment, where colleagues develop meaningful friendships. Some popular Bombas team events include biannual retreats and monthly "Hive Hangouts," like paint nights and axe throwing. Lauren DiGregoria, Director of Acquisition Marketing, says the workplace culture is unlike anything she's experienced. She was floored by the number of coworkers who wanted to grab coffee and introduce themselves during her first week - a gesture new hires can expect to see.
Benefits at Bombas
Health Insurance and Wellness: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance; monthly health and wellness reimbursement
Financial and Retirement Plans: 401(k) with employer match; equity for full-time employees
Vacation and Time Off: Unlimited PTO; flexible WFH policy
Education and Professional Development: company-sponsored professional development assistance program
Marketing Team
Marketing at Bombas
The Bombas Marketing Team is responsible for bringing in new customers and growing their relationship to the company and its products. They work closely with a variety of departments across the business, including Creative, Merchandising, and Data and Analytics. Employees on this team are able to experience growth at the company in a number of ways, including taking on new responsibilities, expanding the scope of their role across additional channels, or potentially moving to other adjacent teams within Bombas.
Pushing Boundaries
Marketing at Bombas is very results-driven - they love learning how to continue improving the way they do things. A desire to push the boundaries and experiment is a critical ingredient to success on this team. A recent project the Marketing Team takes great pride in is a 2019 holiday campaign ad, which was displayed in airport security bins at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport, and referenced the fact that people were standing in the security line in their socks.
Customer Happiness
Happiness Guaranteed
Bombas is about more than just providing customer service - it's about honoring a "100% Happiness Guarantee." Members of the Customer Happiness Team (CHT) have an innovative approach to caring for customers and supporting them through every step of the purchasing process and beyond. They answer questions, help with returns or exchanges, and listen to feedback to inform better company strategy. Their joint mission of making a difference in consumers' lives leads to a rewarding, team-oriented environment.
Acts of Wonder
A unique project of the CHT is its "Surprise and Delight" moments. In an effort to bring people closer to the Bombas brand, they look for opportunities to provide specially tailored moments to brighten someone's day. Examples include coordinating a call between their CEO and a customer's brother who was interested in startups and helping make personalized sock puppets for another customer's daughter.
Reference
The Muse. (2021). Bombas. Daily Muse Inc. https://www.themuse.com/profiles/bombas
Organizational Structure and Culture at Bombas
Answer the following questions:
1. Discuss the factors that influence a leader's choice of an organizational structure.
2. Explain the type of organizational structure and culture implemented at Bombas.
3. How does the organizational structure and culture affect the way the Bombas' employees behave? Please explain.
4. Discuss the potential sources of extrinsic motivation and intrinsic motivation for the employees at Bombas.