7 Useful Tips for Building a Strong Company Culture

Every small or large organization has a distinct culture that defines it. Culture is made up of the beliefs, ideologies, principles, and values of a company. Therefore, your culture will determine how employees relate to each other at work. In addition, it will have a major impact on the productivity and performance of workers.

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Here are some of the advantages of good workplace culture:

Identity – Culture gives employees an identity and makes them stand out from the crowd. It also helps create a sense of unity among employees from different backgrounds.
Improved performance – A great workplace culture encourages employees to work harder and thus produce more.
Lower turnover – When employees are happy with their jobs, they are more likely to remain committed to the organization.
Attracts new talent – A recent Brand Health Report by Hired.com revealed that company culture is one of the main factors people consider when looking for a job.

So how do you build a strong company culture?

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1. Promote openness and transparency

Employees want to be in the loop with the current happenings in the company. Keeping people in the dark causes unnecessary tension and friction, and breeds distrust. Therefore, one of the best ways of building rapport and trust with your employees is by promoting a culture of transparency. Keep your employees updated on the company’s business plans, IT projects, strategic goals, marketing initiatives and communication calendars. You should also create an environment where your workers to give honest feedback without fear of victimization.

2. Establish traditions

Your organization should have events that offer employees a low-stress, low-key opportunity to interact and have fun with their colleagues. Having such fun traditions at specific times of the year will give people something to look forward to. However, be sure to carry out a poll among your workers to find out what kind of activities they would enjoy. And participation in these activities should be voluntary, not mandatory.

3. Be flexible

At times, your employee might want to get to work later because they have an early morning appointment at the doctor’s office or their kid’s school. Or they might want to leave early, pick the kids from school and finish their remaining work from home. New mothers would want ample space and time to breastfeed their babies. Therefore, giving your employees the opportunity to work irregular hours or work remotely can relieve stress and promote a healthy work-life balance. Allowing flexible work schedules also shows that you value, honor and respect your workers.

4. Promote growth

Make sure your workers have all the tools they need to succeed. Delegate decision-making often, especially for employees that deal with customers directly. Don’t forget to provide regular coaching and training for professional development. Having a culture of growth in your organization will enhance job satisfaction, boost productivity and significantly reduce attrition.

5. Encourage healthy inter-personal relationships

Healthy workplace relationships are very important for the success of any organization. You can promote good inter-personal relationships by providing regular opportunities where co-workers can interact with each other. This is especially important for teams that have remote workers. It would also be a good idea to have common spaces where employees from different departments can socialize during tea or lunch breaks. Creating a strong sense of belonging among workers will improve company loyalty and increase retention.

6. Lead by example

Company culture is reinforced by how its leaders act. Leaders should not just recite the values, principals, and ideologies, but should embody what the organization stands for. This will be a source of inspiration for other staff members and those that aspire to join the organization. A good example of a leader that embodies the culture of his company is Richard Branson. He is the perfect representation of the brash, bold and spirited culture of his Virgin brand.

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7. Empower cultural ambassadors

Every organization has employees that are passionate about the culture of the company. Identify such people and appoint them as ambassadors to help their colleagues understand what the company stands for. Since they love the organization and their jobs, cultural ambassadors can be great cheerleaders. They could also give you ideas about what can be improved in the current company culture.

This article is written by Charles Mburugu. He is a HubSpot-certified content writer/marketer for B2B, B2C and SaaS companies. He has worked with brands such as GetResponse, Neil Patel, Shopify, 99 Designs, Oberlo, Salesforce and Condor. Check out his portfolio and connect on LinkedIn.