Google, Zappos, and Twitter have it all figured out.
They know that a good company culture can spark fresh ideas, increase productivity, and boost morale.
Disengaged employees are 60% more likely to make mistakes in the workplace. Not to mention they have lower job satisfaction and productivity.
A positive workplace culture can change all that.
It’s about more than work perks. It’s the identity of your company. It’s how you function day-to-day, meet goals, and reward hard work.
Read on for ways to define your company culture and build a happy environment for your employees.
Work Towards One Vision
You may be wondering why is company culture important? Because happier workers equal an increase in productivity.
It’s important for all employees, from interns to top-level CEO’s to all be on the same page. Core values, mission statements, and top goals should be common knowledge. It helps to set a clear vision that every employee can abide by.
Communication policies and expectations should be clear. All employees should be well aware of company history and best practices.
Set a vision for the company and brand it into a slogan that all employees can relate to. Remeber your employees are ambassadors of your brand. So they should get given all the facts and knowledge to succeed.
Rethink Your Work Atmosphere
More companies are moving towards offices designed with function and fun in mind. Use separate “office zones” to support the unique culture you are working to create and maintain.
The design and style of your office have an impact on your employees. 24% of employees believe that the design of their office contributes to satisfaction with their job.
Say Goodbye to Cubicles and Closed Doors
Limit walls and sections between desks. Go for an open layout that encourages communication among team members. An open plan and connected desks will also make employees feel less claustrophobic.
A healthy work environment is a happy one. Consider standing desks or ergonomic office furniture to make employees more comfortable.
Select a color palette that is inviting and calming. Add some style with creative artwork and greenery. Brand your company on cool products and leave the swag all around the office.
A Place for Downtime
Give employees a place to go outside of their designated work area.
Design your office break room as a fun place to hang out during lunch or downtime. Stock it with free snacks and a professional grade coffee machine.
Consider a special break-out area that includes a foosball table or pool table. But be clear about rules for playtime and make sure you practice proper office safety.
Offer a place for employees to take their lunch outside of the office. Such as a small courtyard area or rooftop terrace. The fresh air will reduce stress in the workplace and help employees to recharge.
Encourage Communication and Foster Creativity
A cut-throat, high-stress or fearful environment can squander talent and communication.
A place that breeds communication and creativity are workplace culture examples to strive for. It shows you care about the opinions and needs of your employees. You value feedback and enthusiasm in the workplace.
Great Minds Think Alike
Host weekly team brainstorming sessions. This keeps communication flowing and allows employees to speak their minds. It also brings forth innovation and allows for individual talents to come forward with good ideas.
Keep conversation casual but give everyone a chance to speak up. Use this time to set weekly goals and discuss challenges. Call out employees who have gone above and beyond expectations or completed a special project.
Break Office Tradition
When you define corporate culture to your team, be transparent. Let go of the traditional office hierarchy. Be approachable and reachable, encouraging all employees to do the same.
Let go of rigid schedules that interrupt a healthy work-life balance. Be open to work hour flexibility when needed. Employees should feel comfortable rearranging schedules for appointments or school functions.
Summer Fridays are great corporate culture examples, and always appreciated by employees. Allow an option of coming in early and leaving early on these days. Or alternate schedules so one employee is always present to answer phones if needed.
Are most of your employees animal-lovers? Pick one day out of the month as a bring your pet to work day. Or have a casual afternoon where you make the last hour of the workday a relaxed happy hour with games.
Bridge Gaps Between Generations
Diversity is a key component of any thriving work environment. Different generations, nationalities, and personalities all working together under one roof. Make your company culture one that welcomes people of all different backgrounds.
Mentor programs are great corporate culture examples of bridging gaps in the workplace. Use them to help new hires become acclimated to your company culture and goals.
Have new hires shadow your strongest employees for their first few weeks on the job. Move them through different departments so they can meet the whole team and learn names.
Help Break the Ice
Host an office event to help employees cultivate relationships with one another. It can be a workout class, new moms group, or wine pairing.
Offer learning opportunities for employees so they can become more well-rounded. Have a senior level manager teach a beginner’s class in graphic design or email marketing.
Give Back to the Community
It’s something people of all ages and generations can appreciate. Support young minds with a scholarship program. Sponsor a sporting team for a local school.
Make compassion a part of your company culture by supporting a charitable cause. Learn more from this list of the best companies to work for based on company culture.
Hire the Right People
It’s important not to hire on experience alone. You want people that fit well with your culture, values, and goals.
Have HR branches take time finding employees that can thrive in a good company culture. Conduct a background check to make sure they check all the right boxes.
One bad seed can damper the whole culture of the company. So hire with talent and personality in mind.
Offer Room for Growth
Increase employee satisfaction and retention rates by offering room for growth. If management opportunities show up, give employees a chance by hiring within.
It will motivate your employees to work harder towards their personal career goals.
Good Company Culture Starts and Ends with Consistency
Consistency is key for a good company culture.
Make sure what you put on paper is also getting put into action. Once you’ve established a clear and consistent vision for your culture, you can expect to see an increase in productivity.
Here are more ways to boost productivity in the workplace.