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Company culture and having a lot of money are two different things. You might have seen examples of “great company culture” by giant corporations with billions of dollars, offering amazing amenities, worker benefits, or big office parties. Of course, this is great and if your company can provide such things for the staff, by all means, go ahead.
However, a strong company culture is something deeper that helps inform the mindset of every employee and how they approach the work they do at your company. Establishing how you want your company to operate and what you want to be known for will all impact the type of culture your organization develops. Here, we will break down all the different elements of culture and how to implement them for greater success.
What Is Company Culture?
A company culture definition in one sentence would be a set of practices and behaviors within an organization based on specific values and beliefs. Also called office culture, It affects how company employees interact and communicate. Factors such as company formation and history, services and products, management, and business strategy play important roles in shaping company culture.
The Importance of Company Culture
Often, company culture is called the “soul” or the essence of a company because it has many implications. One of the most important aspects is how it affects employees and their communication.
After all, those who enjoy their time in the workplace are way more productive and likely to stay loyal to a company. Those who find themselves misaligned with the organization’s accepted practices are likelier to be unhappy and eventually leave.
The Spectrum of Company Culture
On either end of the culture spectrum, there are two main characteristics that determine how strict or open your organization’s culture is. Each has implications at every level and will impact day-to-day operations. Consider each carefully and the trade-offs that come with it.
Operating with Strictly Traditional Culture
From traditional (strict) – The characteristics of conventional company culture include clearly defined job responsibilities. There is an established chain of command and hierarchy of communication. Opportunities for workers to advance usually come from formal promotions. Staff members are expected to dress according to accepted office etiquette or wear uniforms.
A perfect example of traditional company culture is the TV show “The Office,” which showed the endeavors of the paper-selling company Dunder Mifflin. It is what you think of when you hear words like “corporate” or “banking” for some reason.
What it Means to Have A Flexible Open Culture
To flexible (open) – Most modern tech companies are known for practicing cultures that nurture collaboration, openness, and flexibility.
While there is still a well-defined chain of command and hierarchy of responsibilities, workers and middle management staff can take on multiple roles and collaborate on various projects; other aspects and formalities, such as decision-making, work hours, and dress code, can also widely vary.
How to Build a Company Culture in 5 Simple Steps
Company culture will emerge independently whether the company’s management guides the process. That is why the sooner you take control of the process, the better.
Answer a Few Basic Questions
The first step towards building your company culture (or changing the existing one) is finding answers to a few simple questions.
1. What does your company do and why?
2. What does your company stand for?
3. What do you believe in? What are your values?
4. Where is this company headed? What is your vision for the future?
5. What change will you bring to the world through this company?
Sure, these questions and your respective answers might overlap a little bit. However, this is a good starting point. In other words, this will help you define the company culture that you wish to achieve. The answers to these questions should reflect the behavior that you want to see in your company.
Analyze the Existing Culture
Depending on your company’s stage of development, certain behaviors and beliefs might already have been established. Now would be a good time to assess whether the current situation aligns with your vision for the company.
It would be best to be honest with yourself and face the reality of the situation. This process might be painful, especially if you notice inevitable cracks and gaps.
Communicate the Changes That You Want to See
When the time is right, share your vision for the company with your colleagues. Talk to them about the changes you wish to see. And praise the people who have already intuitively aligned themselves with the culture you want to accomplish.
You can use the opportunity to appoint somebody to be your “culture” person. Somebody who has good people skills. This doesn’t have to be somebody from HR. The best fit would be somebody already exposed to excellent company culture.
Hire for the Long Run
When establishing your company culture, you should focus on and optimize your hiring process. Your company might be at a stage where you hire people for their skills, and that’s okay, but you should also consider how they fit in culturally.
With time, you should focus on people who fit well culturally, even if they lack certain technical skills. After all, those can be easily acquired in a short period. And if you attract people who align with your existing company culture, they are much more likely to stay with you longer.
Establish a Talent Brand
This one goes hand in hand with step 4. Once you have attracted the people you want to work with, let their voices be heard. People are a company’s greatest asset, and if you want to attract more like-minded individuals, you should invest in your talent brand.
You can create lots of inspirational videos, telling the stories of your colleagues and how they find working at your company. This way, potential candidates will have a taste of the environment before they come for an interview.
18 Jobs Where Skills Trump Intelligence
Our society often judges people’s intelligence based on their professions. While it’s an unfair practice, some jobs have unfortunately been associated with a stereotype of lower intellectual capabilities. Let’s dispel some misconceptions as we explore 18 professions unfairly branded as “requiring less brainpower.”
18 Jobs Where Skills Trump Intelligence
12 Assertive Ways to Respond When Your Boss Ignores You
One of the more concerning realizations you could make at work is that your boss ignores you. They don’t respond to your emails or DMs or have time to talk to you in person. So, why is your boss ignoring you all of a sudden? Could it be that they are angry at you for some reason? Do they no longer value you as a professional and an employee? Or are they simply too busy to respond to you? But one crucial thing to remember is that every situation is unique, so the resolution to your situation might come from one or several of the steps outlined below. Whatever the reason for their lack of attentiveness, we have twelve tips to help you determine the best course of action to restore the lines of communication.
