The phrase “corporate culture” is thrown around offices everywhere, but what does it really mean?

Corporate culture starts with defining your company’s vision. If this is already done, you are one step ahead. If not, you may have a few extra steps. Your company’s vision includes the overall values and provides them with a purpose. That purpose should affect every decision employees make. It’s important to have the vision prominently displayed as not only a reminder for employees, but to let customers know what you stand for.

The values of your company are important to the culture. They should offer a set of guidelines on behaviors and mindset that help achieve the vision. These values should involve the standards employees should hold themselves to and how they should interact with customers.

People are the most important part of company culture. No company can successfully build a unified corporate culture without employees who are willing to embrace the mission and values. When interviewing for new employees, make sure they are a cultural fit. Ask them questions relating directly to the corporate culture you are trying to convey and listen to see if their responses align with those values.

Communication is also essential. You want to keep your employees engaged, so keep the lines of communication open between senior management and line-level employees. People want to know they are part of a team and not just another worker; they want to feel good at the end of the day. Publicly appreciate and recognize employees that go the extra mile. This shows employees that good-quality work does not go unnoticed.

Successfully conveying your corporate culture will lead to a happier work atmosphere, but accomplishing annual goals should still be the main focus.  Employees’ connectedness towards their job (and organization as a whole) can either increase or decrease productivity. When employees are engaged, productivity goes up. Since organizations want productive employees, it’s important to constantly engage and convey the corporate culture.

Having a positive corporate culture is necessary for organizations to achieve their goals.

For more tips on maintaining a positive corporate culture, contact us at ExactStaff today!