Company culture can make or break your business. It’s a cornerstone of every organisation, influencing employee engagement and talent retention and, when done well, boosting workplace satisfaction and overall company performance.
So, how do you improve company culture? What are some actionable steps to foster a good enough work environment?
Top 4 tips to improve company culture at your business
Whether you’re a business owner, team leader, or HR expert, the following strategies can help your company culture to thrive and drive organisational success.
Let’s unravel these steps and look at some effective, HR-approved tips for advancing company culture you can start implementing today!
Promote the company's purpose and values
The company’s purpose and values are much more than words on your website. They outline what’s important to your organisation and serve as your guiding principles. Furthermore, research indicates that the younger generations, including Millennials and Gen Zs, prioritise organisations with a well-defined and meaningful purpose.
One effective way to promote a company’s purpose and values is to communicate them during the hiring process. This helps attract people who align with the organisation’s mission, leading to greater engagement and long-term commitment. Another tactic is regularly conveying these principles and demonstrating how current team members contribute to them.
Both strategies help you to strengthen company culture and establish a sense of purpose among employees.
Foster strong employee relationships
Relationships are essential in all parts of life, including business. Employees with strong bonds feel supported and valued, leading to a collaborative company culture where everyone can thrive.
And there are multiple strategies you can implement to foster positive team relationships. For instance, consider the spaces where your teams typically gather during breaks or downtime. Are there designated areas for socializing or unwinding? Providing a comfortable and inviting commonplace, such as a lounge with cozy seating, can create opportunities for employees to connect and build relationships, ultimately fostering a positive workplace culture.
*Even if your organisation operates in a hybrid or remote-first setup, there are still plenty of ways to cultivate relationships among your employees. You can organise virtual competitions and games or take things one step further and arrange team-building trips!*
Recognise and reward excellence
Did you know that 85% of HR leaders say employee recognition programs profoundly impact improving organisational cultures?
The reason behind this overwhelming consensus is quite simple: recognising and acknowledging employees’ efforts and achievements boosts their motivation and encourages them to contribute to the company’s success wholeheartedly.
Thus, it’s essential to establish well-defined and structured employee recognition programs. These solutions should encompass both peer-to-peer and manager recognition. Furthermore, ensure that employees understand what constitutes exceptional performance and regularly remind teams about recognition programs. This way, you inspire them consistently and invest in a workplace culture where people feel valued and encouraged to do their best.
Practice transparency and open communication
Transparency and open communication are the lifeblood of any thriving organisation. They create a vibrant environment where employees feel a deep sense of importance and belonging. Additionally, a culture of transparency empowers employees to make better, more informed decisions and share their insights and perspectives.
However, creating a transparent company culture doesn’t happen by itself. You have to implement strategies that support a continuous and active flow of communication.
Here are some practical ideas to get you started:
- Prioritize regular updates: Establish processes that ensure a continual flow of information to keep everyone timely informed.
- Encourage feedback: Create a forum (or chat room) where leaders and employees can openly share their thoughts, feedback, and ideas.
- Lead by example: Share information openly with your team and be transparent about company updates and challenges. This sets the tone for a culture of transparency and encourages others to act in the same manner.
Improving company culture: an ongoing task
When it comes to workplace culture, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. And there’s no quick fix. Improving your company culture requires commitment, and it’s an ongoing “project” you should always have in your mind.
Thus, it’s crucial to make it a priority.
Promote your company’s purpose, support employee relationships, regularly reward teams, and foster transparent, open communication. By implementing these tactics, you can improve company culture and develop the successful business you and your employees love.
If you need assistance implementing these (or any other HR-related) strategies in your business ― contact us today. Let’s strengthen your company culture together!