Nick Greer
Employees at American Fork-based One on One Marketing have heard a lot of sayings, mottoes and maxims from founder and chief executive officer Nick Greer:
"When you have exhausted all possibilities, think about this: you haven't."
"Success does not stop. It only continues to build as YOU build it."
"You are the driver who controls your own destiny. Now, take control and drive us to success."
But one motto Greer's employees likely have taken most to heart is an old one: "Expect the unexpected."
Greer's emphasis on success through innovation has built a company culture that is reliant on fluidity and change — and one that has led One on One, a lead-generating firm that works for major companies in the education market, to the top of its industry.
One on One began in 2002 as a lead generator for companies like Ancestry.com, NordicTrack and ICON Health. Eventually, they saw the potential in the educational arena, with tools like classesandcareers.com becoming one of the United States' largest lead aggregators.
Greer feels the company's nimble response to new opportunities is the result of constantly "shaking things up" in an effort to keep innovating. If he feels things are too "normal" in the office, he plans a surprise — like at Christmas 2010, when he handed out $100 bills to employees with instructions to use the money to help someone else.
Soon, Greer's inbox was filled with employees' $100 experiences: spontaneously paid grocery bills, generous tips at Burger King, auto repairs, filling up strangers' gas tanks, a day at the movies for the residents of a shelter for women and children.
The "unexpectedness" and creativity of these experiences is a core element of One on One's organized charitable arm, the Five.12 Foundation, which is aimed at giving back "in surprising and unexpected ways."