At our first Client Community Virtual Event of 2026, Ali Lesher, Marketing Manager at Standard Beverage Company, shared how their 75-year old family-founded organization developed a wellbeing program grounded in culture, accountability, and community impact. In conversation with Navigate’s Team Lead of Client Success for our manfuacturing vertical, Jad Khalil, Ali discussed the challenges they faced and the practical ways they aligned their wellbeing strategy with their company identity.
Watch the replay featuring Ali and Jad →
Initial Challenge: Low Engagement
When Standard Beverage launched its wellbeing program, engagement was highest among desk-based employees. Values felt like posters, participation spiked early but declined, and managers did not consistently sustain momentum. They sought an authentic, sustainable approach.
Turning Point: Aligning Values with the Portal
The breakthrough came when they invited employees to help name the portal. The winning name, SBC Impact, revealed a disconnect: their existing values (Integrity, Progress, Agility, Community, Team) spelled “IPACT,” which did not match the new portal name. Initially, they added “Me” at the end to emphasize personal wellbeing and create “IMPACT.” However, because the name “Impact” resonated deeply with employees, they ultimately revised their values themselves in 2024. The updated corporate values became Integrity, Meaning, Accountability, Community, and Team — aligning the values acronym directly with the portal’s name.
“That was definitely a pivotal moment… it made us decide to change our values,” Ali shared.The portal not only reflected their culture but reshaped it.
Culture in Action: Translating Values into Behaviors
Once aligned, they operationalized their values inside the platform. “Team” was paired with giving kudos on the portal’s social wall. “Progress” (later Accountability) is linked to their Bright Ideas program, in which employees submit suggestions for leadership review. Community involvement, including logging volunteer hours for points and service anniversaries, was routed through the portal.
“Don’t let your values just be on the wall. Ingrain them in every aspect of your company,” Ali emphasized. The program evolved from a list of activities into a reflection of daily behaviors.
Recognition Reinforces Culture
Standard Beverage introduced a three-tier Impact Award system:
- $25 Impact Awards - spontaneous recognition
- Monthly Make the Impact Award - peer-nominated recognition.
- Team Member of the Year - company-wide celebration
They also introduced quarterly, value-based programming called Ignite Impact, pairing each quarter’s core value with a wellbeing focus. For example, in January, “Team” combined physical wellbeing with a “Walk of Fame” step challenge leading to the annual awards ceremony. Each quarter features values-in-action challenges, journal prompts, and activities that bring the theme to life.
“We’re really competing against ourselves, assessing what worked, what didn’t, and why,” Ali noted.
Meeting Employees Where They Are
With many employees in warehouses, on the road, or in the field, email alone was insufficient. The team used department shoutouts, hydration stations linked to challenges, printed bookmarks and magnets, and visible manager encouragement. One Night Operations Manager challenged his team to reach 100% participation, which immediately boosted social wall engagement and challenge submissions.
“It proves that manager-level engagement makes a huge difference,” Ali said.
Jad shared additional creative ideas, including QR codes and air fresheners for transportation vehicles.
Maximizing Impact with a Small Team
Standard Beverage’s program is managed by a small team combining marketing and HR, making integration essential. The portal serves as a one-stop shop, not an add-on. Portal challenges connect to major milestones such as the 75th anniversary step challenge, centralized rewards for service anniversaries, Bright Ideas submissions, volunteerism, and social media engagement—all in one place.
After restructuring, Standard Beverage employees report the platform feels authentic, recognition supports desired behaviors, engagement has improved, and the program runs year-round rather than peaking once annually.
Looking Ahead
Standard Beverage plans to expand mental health resources, grow its Impact Awards, strengthen its Impact Committee, and continue evolving quarterly campaigns.
As Ali shared, “Let your values be your guiding force,” and importantly, “What can we do to be better? What else can we add in here?”
This continuous-improvement mindset keeps their wellbeing strategy aligned, authentic, and sustainable.
Watch the full replay to learn more about Standard Beverage's success
Continue your journey with a values-driven wellbeing strategy, connect with your Client Success Manager.
