Sample products made by Alene Candles adorn the conference room at the Milford company’s research and development department. But the sign on the wall is nearly as striking as the pleasant aromas that greet you upon arrival:

“I am 100% responsible for the energy I bring into every room. What’s your story?” The “Alene LEADS” campaign, which features similar signs posted throughout the campus, was created to help improve workplace culture after a tough time for the company in 2016.

“We had a lot of cultural issues, and so this was the tough medicine that that particular message is oriented around,” said Rod Harl, the company’s CEO and president.

That “100%” means giving it your all but not more than you are required to do, so that workers are all carrying their fair share of the load.

“This in particular also helps people realize, even at the hourly level, that how they show up matters a lot,” Harl said. The campaign was a reaction to a crisis that reverberated to the factory floor. “We had hired some managers that didn’t share our company values. And frankly our company values weren’t posted as they are now,” Harl said. “We had some people who were just not treating people with respect.”

Every entrance to every Alene facility now includes a value statement, a mission statement and a vision statement. In some locations, it’s printed in several languages.

The company also has introduced mindfulness as a tool, including presencing exercises such as stretching. “By now everybody knows a couple of techniques about presencing,” said Lilia Morales Pruneda, director of research and development and analytical technical services. “If you go first and you are meditating, nobody will flinch at all.” — Mike Cote

This sign in a conference room at Alene Candles’ research and development department is among many placed throughout the company’s Milford campus designed to promote a positive workplace. (Photo by Allegra Boverman)