Culture is an essential part of any business as it defines a company’s values and vision.
Research shows a positive workplace culture correlates directly to increased productivity, higher employee morale and a stronger ability to retain your top-performing employees.
In fact, 33% of employees said they would leave their current job to go to a company with a better culture.
Placing a high value on creating a positive workplace culture is a key factor in a company’s success and increases their bottom line.
Positive company culture should be something every company strives for, regardless of industry or size. This article provides actionable tips and strategies for developing and improving your workplace culture.
Importance of a positive company culture
- Helps with recruiting new employees. A strong company culture gives companies a competitive advantage when it comes to attracting new talent. A company with a good track record of satisfied employees will attract quality candidates.
- Reduces employee turnover. A positive culture helps foster a sense of loyalty among employees. They are more likely to remain with the company if they are treated well and genuinely enjoy going to work every day.
- Lowers workplace stress. A positive workplace culture promoting a better work-life balance can help prevent stress and burnout amongst employees. Less stress leads to higher work performance and allows employees to find meaning in their work.
- Improves workplace productivity. Employees who are happy and comfortable in their place of work performed at a more efficient rate than those who aren’t. By supporting and showing value in your employees, they are more likely to challenge themselves to grow professionally.
- Boosts employee morale and job satisfaction. Employees working in a positive environment are happier and enjoy their work more, leading to higher job satisfaction. Companies who invest in their employees and care about their well-being are in turn rewarded with dedicated employees.
- Facilitates collaboration. When employees collaborate and work together as a team, productivity and performance increases, thus improving your company’s overall success.
How to improve your company culture
- Define the culture you want. Even if you’re a small company just starting out, it’s important to decide and establish what values are most important to you. You ultimately set the tone for your company, so setting those values early on will help you uphold the culture you want your company to be known for.
- Provide a clear line of communication. Effective communication is one of the most important aspects of positive company culture. By properly communicating your company’s values and mission to your employees, they better understand what’s expected of them. Having an open-door policy encourages employee interaction and helps them feel more comfortable about coming to you with any subject matter.
- Listen to your employees. Part of communicating effectively is actively listening to your employees. Everyone wants to know they are being heard. Let your employees know their opinions are valuable so they feel important and included in the company’s success.
- Provide feedback. Your employees need to be aware of the role they play within the company and how they are doing. Don’t wait until their annual performance review to share constructive feedback. Help them set goals. Having something to work towards can help foster professional and personal growth, leading to a happier, more motivated employee.
- Give credit where credit is due. We all have a need to see our contributions validated. Acknowledging and rewarding good employees is important in positive workplace culture. Recognizing employees shows your appreciation for their hard work and dedication. If employees don’t believe their work is valued, their performance and productivity will suffer. While some companies develop formal rewards programs, a simple verbal acknowledgment can go a long way in helping employees feel appreciated.
- Offer perks and benefits. Providing employees with perks and benefits helps foster a better work-life balance. Though compensation isn’t everything, it’s a huge factor contributing to satisfied employees. Benefits can include unlimited PTO, competitive pay and 401(k) match. Perks can include catered lunches, free snacks in the office, flexible hours, work-from-home days, and company happy hours and events.
