Company culture is the foundation of any successful business. It determines the character and vibe of your organization. If your company’s culture is positive and healthy, it will radiate throughout the business, resulting in a more productive and happy workforce. A great company culture also attracts the best talent, helps retain employees, and enhances the company’s reputation in the industry. Companies should value their workforce as much as they value their customers and profits. Investing in the well-being of employees is crucial to building a positive and sustainable work environment, which eventually leads to increased profitability and success.
In its People First Culture Series research, Breathe HR reports that 76% of UK workers consider company culture to some extent while deciding where to work, while 86% of workers aged 18-34 consider it while searching for a job. That’s because a company’s culture is so influential to UK workers that 71% say they would ask about it during a job interview. Life is stressful enough, and people want their work life not to add to it. Considering the average UK worker spends approximately 36.4 hours per week, which is about 1,795 hours per year and over 84,365 hours in a lifetime, a company’s culture must be worth spending that much of your time, expertise, and life to.
Toxic company cultures have a costly effect on a company’s bottom line and the economy. Companies can create a positive and employee-retaining culture by implementing and maintaining four essential strategies that reflect and uphold the kind of workplace they desire. Breathe HR’s The Culture Economy Report 2021 reported that the UK economy loses £20.2 billion every year due to toxic company culture, and 27% of UK workers quit altogether because of it.
So, how can you ensure your company maintains its great culture? Remember these four tips, and you’ll be well on your way.
Appoint culture champions
Culture champions are crucial as they help spark positivity within a company’s culture. If culture is your company’s welcome mat, champions are the friendly face that greets everyone at the door. They are not present to scold anyone but to reflect your company’s mission, values, and personality. They embody your company’s character and culture.
Employ good people
You want people on your team with an eagerness to learn and an upbeat demeanor, regardless of whether they are the most qualified. Hiring people who are not just excellent in their professions but also have good interpersonal skills and get along well with other team members should be a top priority for companies that value their culture.
Allow feedback
A company’s culture is defined by its interactions with its employees, partners, and customers. Just like any other relationship, it is vital to enable feedback. When a company fosters an environment that promotes open communication, it conveys to its employees that their thoughts, concerns, and ideas are valuable. And, of course, implementing the feedback received helps to establish trust, leading to a healthy working relationship.
Experience your company as an employee
It’s essential for business leaders to occasionally put themselves in their employees’ shoes and see the organization from their perspective. This way, leaders can witness the positive and negative aspects of their company’s culture and make necessary changes that benefit the team and the entire organization.
Consider this: What message does your company culture communicate about your business? Would you be interested in working there if you were not the owner or in a leadership position? If you asked some of your employees about their honest opinions on the work culture, would you be taken aback by the negative feedback you might receive? It’s never too late to improve your company’s culture. Companies dissatisfied with their culture should implement these four tips to save money and retain talented employees.