Denise CourtneyOur latest blog looks at how to improve your company culture and what that involves.
Generally, good companies have a lower staff turnover. If a lot of people are coming and going, it’s a good indication that the work environment is less than desirable or their needs aren’t being met.
If you’re considering approaching a company, do your research. Companies tend to outline their values on their websites and if they have a good culture, they’ll probably have a lot of stuff to shout about on social media, too. Take a look at the company on LinkedIn and see how long certain staff members have been there. If you get an interview, don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s perfectly normal to want to work for a company with a strong focus on culture, and if they don’t take well to your enquiries, they’re probably not right for you anyway.
As with most things in life, the more you enjoy something, the more time you put into it. The same applies with your job. If you enjoy your time there and respect the people around you, putting more effort into your work will come naturally.
As an employer, if your people feel this way, it will reflect on your business. The everyday result is higher staff retention, reduced sick days, enhanced productivity and an exceptional standard of work. The long-term result for your company is that you will win more business and increase your bottom line. The more you put into your staff, the more you get out – it’s that simple.
COMPANY CULTURE – HOW TO IMPROVE YOURS
First of all, you need to establish your mission, ethics and values. Think about what you want from your employees and how you can work together to achieve that. Support and motivation is vital.
Unsurprisingly, Google are one of the best examples to use when talking about company cultures. Despite their position as one of the biggest companies in the global market, they retain a laidback work environment where people wear trainers to work and play ball games at lunch. This is because they trust that they will get innovative and creative work out of employees who feel happy at work.
We know that it’s not all bean bags and dress-down Fridays, but you see what we’re getting at. Ensure that you instil an open door policy, so that your employees know that they can come to you for help and support whenever they need it. As Richard Branson said; “there’s no magic formula for great company culture. The key is just to treat your staff how you would like to be treated”. We’ve previously written about the importance of being a leader rather than a boss, and we stand by it when it comes to creating the perfect company culture.
Social events are another way to showcase your company culture, as well as maintain morale. By making the effort to spend time with your colleagues, better friendships are formed, creating a work environment based on trust.
A great company culture takes into account both employer and employee, and how both can benefit. If you’re an employee don’t settle for anything less than a company with good values and a respect for their staff. As an employer, think about how you’d like to be portrayed within your industry. Investing in staff who care about your company as much as you do will produce a much stronger team and a great company culture as standard.