A company is more than just its building, perks, free snacks, or drinks at the pantry; it is about the people. Also referred to as a corporate culture, it is the shared values, beliefs, and practices that give a company its personality, influencing its atmosphere.
If you want your company to succeed, it is important to build a corporate culture that allows others to thrive and be their best. Granted, you might wonder how you can do that. Here are five steps that can put you on the right path forward.
Accept that Company Culture Matters
Many people think that company culture is just a buzzword that carries no significance. Nevertheless, in reality, company culture is real and has a significant impact on employees. According to a 2019 Glassdoor survey, more than 75 per cent of job seekers consider company culture before they apply for a job. Fifty-six per cent of respondents said that company culture is more important to them than a salary. In a survey conducted by FlexJobs, 2,202 people were asked why they want to quit their current jobs, a whopping 62 per cent said that toxic work culture was a primary reason. A positive company culture can impact productivity. A 2018 survey revealed that 76 per cent of U.S. workers believe that a positive work environment helps them become more productive as opposed to a hostile one.
Define and Share the Company’s Mission
When your employees know that the company has a mission, they will be more prone to produce their best work. Whatever goal or mission you have, whether it is saving the planet, making the best chocolate in town, or anything else, feel free to share it with the team. This ensures that they realize that their work is not only geared towards revenue, but also has a purpose. While your mission explains why the company exists, it is important to describe your core values. Your core values are not just empty words; they define what you expect from your employees and reflect how you do business.
Encourage Healthy Communication
Interaction is crucial to the success of any team; without it, you risk losing your team, paving the way for conflicts to arise abruptly. If you want to create a healthy company culture, it is crucial to develop communication guidelines. These can include tangible concerns like where to go when an issue arises, and whether employees are receiving sufficient feedback on their work. Are all team members treated with respect? When you outline these concerns clearly and train managers to address them, you create a positive corporate environment that fosters respect and supports employees.
Prioritize Employee Well-being
Employees who feel good at work are more likely to produce and give their best. So, ask yourself what benefits and perks am I offering to make my employees feel valued and appreciated. These could include offering flexible work hours, providing paid time off, launching mentorship programs, wellness workshops, and training sessions, as well as offering subscriptions to mindfulness apps. Whatever you choose to do, your goal is to invest in the well-being of your people so that they give their best without feeling burned out.
Continuously Monitor and Nurture the Culture
A robust, well-founded company culture does not simply appear overnight; creating a positive company culture or environment takes time and effort. So, don’t just feel happy after implementing a few defining principles; you have to continuously promote them and ensure that your company reflects your core values. To do that, start with your managers and ensure that they have training programs designed specifically for them. It is also essential to align your recruitment practices with your values and to continuously monitor employee engagement. In doing so, you bring about the change you desire to see in your organizational culture.
Last but not least, remember that a positive organizational culture is a work in progress; there are bound to be a few slip-ups in the way things are done. However, when employees, managers, and HR staff make continued efforts, the company can reap the rewards of lower turnover rates, boosted productivity, and increased team morale.
David Messiha | Staff Writer
