Building a Company vs. Building a Community: Be Better with BetterEngineer

Written by Brooks Rhinehart, Edited by Marina Fontoura

At BetterEngineer, we believe that a company is more than just a place where people work—it’s a community where people grow, collaborate, and innovate together. While many organizations focus on hiring skilled individuals to fill roles, we’ve chosen a different path: we’re building a community-driven enterprise. And the difference is profound.

A company full of skilled people can accomplish great things, but a community unlocks deeper levels of engagement, creativity, and long-term success. Building a community-oriented culture not only drives success but also creates a transformational environment that makes people feel connected to something bigger than just their jobs. Here’s why:

1. Transactional vs. Transformational Culture

• Company: In a typical company, the relationship between employees and the organization is transactional. Employees provide their skills and expertise in exchange for compensation. While this can lead to efficiency and results, it often limits deeper connections to the company’s mission or to other team members.
• Community-Driven Enterprise: At BetterEngineer, we prioritize a transformational culture. Our people don’t just come in, do their job, and leave—they are deeply connected to a shared vision and feel a sense of belonging. It’s not just about the work; it’s about being part of something bigger. This connection fosters loyalty and drives meaningful contributions that go beyond the task at hand.

2. Collaboration and Shared Knowledge

• Company: When a company focuses on individual skill sets, employees may excel at executing tasks on their own. However, collaboration often relies on structured initiatives or directives. It can feel more like a series of isolated efforts than a united whole.
• Community-Driven Enterprise: In a community, collaboration is organic. People naturally share knowledge, mentor each other, and work together to solve problems because they’re invested in each other’s success. At BetterEngineer, our engineers come together to share insights, discuss challenges, and push each other to innovate. The result is a powerful sense of collective progress.

3. Employee Engagement and Retention

• Company: Employees in a transactional environment may view their jobs as stepping stones. When a more appealing opportunity arises, they might be quick to move on.
• Community-Driven Enterprise: At BetterEngineer, our people stay because they’re not just working at a job—they’re part of a network of relationships. The emotional attachment to the community makes it harder to leave. There’s a sense of shared identity that keeps people connected, even during tough times.

4. Innovation and Creativity

• Company: While skilled employees excel at delivering results based on their expertise, the potential for innovation can be limited. Their creativity might only go as far as what’s asked of them or what they know.
• Community-Driven Enterprise: When people come together from diverse backgrounds and experiences, innovation flourishes. At BetterEngineer, our community encourages the sharing of different perspectives, leading to unexpected breakthroughs. People with unique skills and passions bring new ideas to the table, driving creative problem-solving.

5. Purpose-Driven Success

• Company: In many companies, success is measured purely by business metrics—profits, efficiency, or market share. While these goals are important, they can feel impersonal.
• Community-Driven Enterprise: At BetterEngineer, success goes beyond just business goals. Our community is driven by purpose—a sense of contributing to a greater vision. Employees don’t just see their work as a paycheck; they see it as a way to grow personally and professionally. This sense of purpose drives us all to do our best, together.

6. Resilience and Long-Term Viability

• Company: A company that focuses solely on skills might struggle to adapt when challenges arise. Employees may stick to what they know rather than embrace continuous learning and change.
• Community-Driven Enterprise: Communities are inherently resilient because they’re built on mutual support and continuous growth. At BetterEngineer, our people invest in each other’s development, which strengthens the whole organization. This makes us better equipped to face challenges and evolve with the times.

BetterEngineer’s Edge: Where People Thrive Together

At BetterEngineer, we take a holistic approach to hiring. We don’t just look at resumes or technical skills; we dive deeper to understand each candidate's passions, accomplishments, and hidden potential. This mindset allows us to build more than just a workforce—we build a community. It’s a community where people thrive, innovate, and contribute to something meaningful.

When you build a company with skilled people, you can achieve solid results. But when you build a community-driven enterprise, you unlock the full potential of every individual, leading to extraordinary outcomes. At BetterEngineer, we don’t just place employees; we help create environments where everyone is empowered to grow, innovate, and thrive together.