Marijuana Business Magazine - March 2018

products and experiences” – extends to its employees. Their well-being and happiness are prioritized through training and educational opportuni- ties, regular and transparent com- munication, generous benefits and compensation and involvement in community events. The company’s mission also reso- nates with employees, said Lilach Mazor Power, who co-founded the business in 2013 and is its managing director. “If they believe in the same vision, they won’t feel like they’re working for someone else’s idea,” she said. “It’s something they’ll want to be a part of, and you’ll get where you’re going faster.” Power shared the following tips for cultivating a corporate culture that values – and keeps – its employees. Provide Training, Education Employee training and develop- ment boosts employee retention, clues employees in to industry trends and makes them better ambassadors for your brand. Each quarter, Power invites can- nabis experts to tour The Giving Tree’s facilities and share a presentation with employees. For example, last year an Israeli cannabis company shared a presentation with 40 employees on advancements in new technology and cannabis research in Israel. “Our employees love the com- pany, but they also love the indus- try,” Power said. “They are pas- sionate about it and love learning about what’s happening locally and globally.” The Giving Tree also cross-trains employees. Cultivation, post-har- vest and extraction managers, for example, share presentations on production processes with patient consultants. “We want our team to understand what is happening in other departments and how hard every person works to make sure our product and services match our standards,” Power said. The company’s owners started The Giving Tree University, a train- ing opportunity for employees who interact regularly with customers to spend half a day in every department to meet colleagues and better under- stand processes in different parts of the business. “Everyone should have that informa- tion,” Power said. “It’s good to share knowledge. I don’t have a secret sauce. My secret sauce is my team.” The Giving Tree sponsors a recreational adult softball team for its employees. Photo courtesy of The Giving Tree Wellness Center The Giving Tree was the top fundraising team for the Take Steps for Crohn’s and Colitis walk. Photo courtesy of The Giving Tree Wellness Center 92 • Marijuana Business Magazine • March 2018