Whether you own a small business or you’re the CEO of a huge corporation there are many different ways that you can implement Corporate Culture into your workplace. Still feel like it’s impossible for your office? Maybe you will feel different after you read this article.
Why you need a Corporate Culture?
Well, this is good question. I think many business owners feel they have to create a corporate culture that follows the type of guidelines and all the perks that a culture similar to one like Google or Southwest. But, this is not true. Every office has a corporate culture you just have to define and understand what your company’s is.
Yes, your staff should feel needed, wanted, and appreciated.
This might sound like you have to give your staff the world but you really don’t. Your staff just wants to feel like they have value and they matter. Doing something as simple as holding a staff meeting each month empowers your employees with a voice and gives them a chance to make suggestions. This can actually make a huge difference. I read in one article that an owner lets his employees write down something that was good or bad that happened that month and they get to throw the paper at him. It may sound strange but it’s definitely an ice breaker and starts the conversation.
Business owners should always be transparent with their clients and the same goes for your employees. Communicate with your employees about company goals, good or bad. Together, create a future map somewhere in the office as what you are aspiring to be as a company.
Create rewards for your employees! No, you don’t have to spend a ton of money doing so. Plan companies outings each season, organize monthly happy hours, play games in the office, incorporate summer hours (there have been statistics that this increases work productivity during the week), or even just bring in bagels or donuts on Fridays.
The office environment is also very important. Get rid of cubicles and create pods or group work spaces instead. This can create motivation and a more relaxed vibe, as well as better communication between co-workers when working on projects. Add a relaxation area where your employees can go to eat lunch or just to get away from their desk for a few minutes. Use bright colors, magazines or books, or even add a TV to the area. If employees enjoy their office environment they won’t be ready to drop everything and hurry to get out at 5pm on the dot.
Benefits
Yep, benefits are a part of a company’s corporate culture. Anything that an employer provide to their employees such as health and dental insurance, vacation days, employee of the month or bonuses, transportation discounts, etc can all be incorporated into your corporate culture plan.
The little things
I think it’s important that you gain respect from your employees but can be on their level. Play by the same rules as they do. Just because you’re the boss doesn’t mean you should be walking in a noon every day. Recognize and reward your employees when it’s called for. This also shouldn’t always be monetary. I read in one article that an owner creates fun and different titles for each employee such as “Director of First Impressions” which are more personal and can better describe the person. “Director of First Impressions” would be a great title for a Director of New Business Development or for someone with my job since I’m the Office Coordinator. Encourage bonding among staff and yourself. Let them get to know you and you them. Ask a few employees how their weekend was or about their family. It’s really the little things that make them feel important.
Your mission statement
Every company should a mission statement. It’s what you do and who you are as a company. If you don’t have one, this is an exercise that you can do with your employees.
Here are a few examples of mission statements or motto’s from Fortune 500 companies.
The right employees
To build a good culture you need the right employees and dependable employees. This starts with the hiring process. You don’t always need the most experienced person you need the person with the right attitude, passion, and work ethic. For more on this please read this blog, The 5 key characteristics of every new hire.
I hope by reading this post you can better understand the importance of corporate culture and how you can start incorporating some of these beliefs and values into your office.
I want to end this post with this quote “Don’t create employees, create teams who pitch in, come together and complete together what needs to be done. Create an organization that rewards innovation through pay, play, praise, promotion, and recognition.”
Share with me, I would love to hear how you or how you will incorporate a corporate culture into your office.
