Burns & McDonnell: Living up the MacCulture Principles Every Day
Founded on the pillars of safety first and client servicing, Burns & McDonnell India boasts of its bold entrepreneurial spirit, unity in the organisation, and making it a better world (dubbed the MacCulture principles). Burns & McDonnell is continously making strides in building a harmonious workplace culture and expecting to grow at an impressive rate in the future.
A survey ranked Burns & McDonnell India No. 18 among the top 50 Great Mid-Size Workplaces in the country for 2019. With the company’s headquarters situated in Kansas, US, Burns & McDonnell have been a truly global entity for several years.
Having been affiliated with Burns & McDonnell since 2006, Justin Sherman, CEO & MD of the company, has been in many prominent roles, such as engineering design, project management to regional global practice management, before becoming the CEO & MD. In his current role, he is responsible for the management of daily operations and business development for its India office. Burns and McDonnell India’s growth over the years has been remarkable, but it hasn’t come all that easy, according to Sherman.
“We have endured our share of ups and downs, going through the rough edges associated with acquisitions, learnings through challenges, but emerged out much stronger,” Sherman informs BW Businessworld, while reflecting on his journey.
“We have done this by always embracing our MacCulture principles. They depict who we are, what we believe, where we have been and where we are heading in the coming years. One of the key principles is ‘we make this place great’, from creating a world-class office space to the focus on providing career opportunities through organic growth, we truly do focus on making this place great,” he explains.
Sherman has credited the success of Burns & McDonnell in creating a fluid workplace environment to the MacCulture Principles, but still feels it can be further improved. An ideal organisation is a combination of several characteristics. An open work culture that allows employees to feel valued and heard with opportunities and organic growth.
“Though we are excited to be recognised as a ‘Great Place to Work’, we will continue to set higher benchmarks. We will constantly make improvements to get better and invest continously to be a great place to work,” Sherman adds.
Sherman Understands
the importance of the employees in today’s ever-changing workplace climate. “With Burns & McDonnell India’s people-first approach, we are focusing on bringing an open work culture, providing transparency in our business goals, giving clarity in the career paths of each individual, and last but not the least, empowering them to take a lead in all spheres of life. Thus, the employees contributing continuing to the company to become it a truly great place to work.”
When asked about what he wants the organisation to be known for -- from the clients or employees’ views, Sherman said: “We would like to be known as an organisation that creates a better and sustainable future for all, be it for our employees, our customers or our community through our focus on making our clients successful. Our employees have expressed appreciation and satisfaction towards our work environment and culture, with many indicating this the best place they have worked in their careers.”
Sherman pressed on the importance of continuing to try and improve the workplace environment at Burns & McDonnell India, but not just quietly resting on its laurels.
