One Kind Act a Day (OKAAD) is a charitable organization (501c3) based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Founded in April 2020 by Khosrow Semnani, OKAAD is fully funded by the Semnani Family Foundation. Its mission is to inspire and promote deliberate acts of kindness across key societal sectors, including politics, education, religion, business, and the home. OKAAD believes that a single intentional act of kindness has the power to transform individuals, relationships, and entire communities.

This business case study between OKAAD and First Utah Bank (FUB) aims to encourage other businesses to adopt kindness initiatives as a core component of their corporate culture. Whether large or small, companies can benefit from integrating kindness into their operations. Chester Elton, New York Times bestselling author on employee culture and engagement, emphasizes the importance of this approach, stating, “Kindness isn’t a soft skill, it’s a hard skill. It’s not a ‘should have’ but a ‘must have.’ Employees, clients, and even vendors should experience our very best kindness efforts.”

First Utah Bank has grown into one of Utah’s largest community banks, with seven branches located across Salt Lake City and Utah County. As a true community bank, it is locally owned and operated, with associates who live and work in Utah. Serving the needs of Utahns remains their sole priority.

Committed to diversity, First Utah Bank values the richness it brings to both their workforce and the customers they serve. They are deeply involved in community service and take pride in the success stories of their clients. With honesty and integrity as their guiding principles, they constantly strive to exceed expectations. “We are professional in all we do, and we always put ourselves in our customers’ shoes, asking, ‘How would we like to be treated?’”

Kindness isn’t just a value for First Utah Bank—it’s a foundation. From the top down, kindness was a forethought, deeply embedded in the company’s DNA. Each employee is expected to embody this value, ensuring that kindness permeates every interaction and decision.

So, why a kindness initiative?

FUB took the proactive step of reaching out to OKAAD, seeking a partnership that could deepen their already strong culture of kindness and further elevate their reputation as a community-focused institution. Their goal was to collaborate on an initiative that would authentically reflect their values while enhancing their workplace environment.

OKAAD’s approach is uniquely tailored to each organization it partners with. Instead of offering a one-size-fits-all program, OKAAD begins by consulting with company leadership to identify specific objectives, understand potential challenges, and define what success looks like for the business. This personalized strategy ensures that each program is thoughtfully designed to address the individual needs and goals of the company. No two OKAAD programs are identical because no two businesses are the same.

The Executive Team at FUB decided that the kindness initiative would start internally, focusing on fostering employee-to-employee kindness. They understood that authentic kindness within the workplace would naturally extend to their client relationships, creating a culture where compassion and empathy are felt both internally and externally.

• First Utah Bank (FUB) made a significant investment in cultivating kindness by providing each of its 110 employees with a custom OKAAD hoodie, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. Along with this, every employee received a branded OKAAD Stanley water bottle as a daily reminder to carry kindness with them in their actions.
• To encourage peer recognition, FUB distributed “Kindness Coins” to employees, empowering them to acknowledge acts of kindness among their colleagues. These coins became symbols of appreciation, helping to create a ripple effect of kindness within the company.
• The kindness initiative launched with a Kick-off meeting, featuring OKAAD’s founder and the Chairman and CEO of FUB. This set the tone for the program, with leadership reinforcing the importance of kindness as a core company value. Employees were encouraged to actively recognize and report specific acts of kindness they witnessed, either by sending emails directly to the executive team or even to the CEO. This level of engagement from leadership made it clear that kindness wasn’t just encouraged—it was celebrated.
• Public and private recognition of employees’ efforts became an integral part of the initiative. Leadership consistently highlighted and celebrated kindness, reinforcing its value in the company’s daily operations. To further celebrate their employees’ contributions, a food truck was brought in, turning kindness recognition into a festive event.
• The kindness initiative extended beyond the workplace, with employees organizing service projects to create hygiene kits for local charities that support the homeless and refugees. Additionally, each employee was entrusted with a sum of money to either donate to a charity of their choice or use for direct charitable giving—whether supporting a nonprofit or helping individuals in need, such as the homeless.
• In a further commitment to fostering a compassionate and emotionally healthy workplace, FUB invited Chester Elton, a renowned speaker on workplace culture, to address the leadership team. His session on kindness, gratitude, and reducing workplace anxiety further reinforced the company’s dedication to holistic well-being.
• Visually, the kindness initiative was woven into the fabric of FUB’s branches and beyond. OKAAD banners, window clings, and yard signs were prominently displayed at each location, spreading the message of kindness to both employees and customers. Employees were also offered OKAAD yard signs to place at their homes, bringing the initiative into their personal lives.
• As an additional gesture, each employee was given an OKAAD t-shirt, symbolizing their role as ambassadors of kindness within their communities.
• Lastly, during the kindness initiative, First Utah Bank identified a local school struggling with unpaid lunch balances for children facing food insecurity. In alignment with their company philosophy, community commitment, and culture of kindness, they stepped in to cover the entire outstanding balance, ensuring that no child would go without a meal. This act of generosity exemplified their dedication to making a meaningful difference in the community.

On October 4, 2024, One Kind Act a Day proudly recognized First Utah Bank as a “Certified Business of Kindness.” This prestigious designation was signed andendorsed by the founder of OKAAD, along with key leaders from the bank, state government, and the state chamber of commerce.

The ripple effect of kindness is already spreading, with numerous other businesses now working towards becoming Certified Businesses of Kindness. These organizations are recognizing their responsibility to advocate for, amplify, and exemplify this crucial value in both society and their communities. When companies leverage their internal and public platforms to promote kindness, they spark a powerful, immeasurable impact—one that resonates far and wide, creating positive change that is undeniable.

Check out the Facebook Reel on this Initiative