Our Company Culture
Defining a company’s
culture is difficult, but…we have identified at least
12 dominant values that drive the company and contribute significantly
to our company character.
Our “Culture”
is the glue that holds our company together. Our culture is
the present appearance of the past; the challenges, successes,
mistakes and lessons learned.
UFOT’s culture is rooted
in its early struggle to stay in business during the Mexican
peso devaluation. The shared vision of survival has fostered
a close-knit supportive and enduring family culture. Even
though the struggles to get past the devaluation have since
passed, it is a very powerful part of the past that has led
to the creation of a company like no other. Within UFOT’s
work environment, the members of this family have come to
realize that our company’s culture is one of its most
important aspects.
Profitability
- The company owners are very proud of the fact that UFOT
is a privately held debt free company. We are also proud to
mention that UFOT supports and contributes to local charities.
This would not be possible if the company were not profitable.
Low Cost
- The key to UFOT’s success is consistent value priced
women and junior apparel, which enables our customers who
previously couldn’t afford to do so, to shop trendy
fashion.
Family -
We believe when you treat employees like family, you foster
the kind of intimacy and informality that builds strong relationships
and makes work fun. We believe this is the reason we have
over 25 management employees that have been with UFOT a minimum
5 years to 25+ years.
Hard Work
- The pace at UFOT is fast and intense. Turning units as quickly
as we do requires lots of focus and a strong work ethic. Our
company also runs very lean, which requires everyone to do
his or her part and then some. Those who shy away from hard
work do not fit in our culture.
Individuality
– We work hard to stimulate diversity of thought and
opinion, as well as diversity in the makeup of its work force.
When people are encouraged to be themselves, they are liberated
to express their true gifts and talents.
Team Service-
We want our customers to experience service that makes a lasting
impression. We believe our customers desire a clean, safe,
attractive store with merchandise presented in a fashionable,
easy to shop manner. The customer will determine the level
of attention received from friendly, smiling associates. We
believe that treating people with respect and dignity is the
key to providing our unique brand of “Team Service.”
We instill in every employee the idea that happy satisfied
customers who return again and again create job security. |
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Common Sense/Good
Judgment –We believe in the people we hire
and encourage employees to use their instincts and good judgment
on the job. We want employees to think, “sales driven”
before filling out endless forms.
Simplicity-
we believe that simplicity creates speed, reduces costs and
cultivates an understanding of the business. People who like
to complicate things have a difficult time succeeding in our
fast-paced environment. We encourage our employees to operate
informally with each other. Informality generates speed, increases
the flow of information and breaks down barriers to enable
our employees to engage in more productive and satisfying
work relationships with their store.
Promotions
- We pride ourselves in the ability to promote employees from
within. We believe that our #1 Assets are our employees. We
recognize both individual and team achievements since all
play a role in the company’s success.
Fair Compensation
- We continually strive to maintain a dominant market position
and continued profitable growth. This enables us to treat
employees fairly by providing competitive wages, benefits
and working conditions. UFOT is proud to say that while other
companies have had to initiate “wage freezes”
due to trying times, we have awarded salary increases every
year for the last 5 years in a row.
Training
- We offer on-the-job training for all store management positions.
During training the employee will work side-by-side with management
while learning every aspect of our store operations. We offer
on-the-job development, but the motivation must also come
from you. We have a strong commitment to professional development.
We also have evaluations that provide open conversation between
you and your supervisor about your job, working conditions,
progress and responsibilities. This evaluation should clarify
both where you stand in fulfilling the requirements of your
current job and help you establish goals for future growth
and development.
Workweek and
Hours - We are extremely concerned about our employees.
Since it is through the employee that our primary objectives
are realized, your personal happiness will be closely related
to your happiness in your work. Therefore, we have designed
a work schedule, which allows our management teams to enjoy
a 5-day workweek provided that certain criteria is met and
maintained. Through consistent effort and teamwork, our store
management teams can continuously enjoy time off for being
with family and friends through the benefit of a 5-day workweek.
Peak seasons such as back to school and holiday will require
additional hours for the store manager and co-manager.
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