4 key components to fostering corporate culture 

You need not replicate the costly strategies of American giants like Google and Apple to improve your corporate culture. An innovative relaxation area may be a nice office addition, but it alone isn’t sufficient when it comes to developing solid organizational ethos. Good management is the starting point to establishing corporate values that reflect your ambitions. Here are a few tips to help get you started.

1) Prioritize your employees’ well-being  

A happy employee is a productive employee! As an employer, you have the challenging task of ensuring that everyone on your team is happy. Implement strategies that have a positive impact on your employees. For example, make sure they feel welcome as soon as they start working in your company. Some pertinent questions include: Do your integration and training programs need to be updated? Do your policies in general encourage employees to want to continue working for you for many years to come?

There are many different approaches you can take to help increase your team’s physical and psychological well-being. Some SMEs let employees pick out their own tools and equipment, while others provide healthy morning snacks, or even chair massages during high-stress periods. Prioritizing your employees’ well-being translates into high-status brand image, and can enable you to attract the talent you need to grow your business.   

2) Flexibility is a must

Being a flexible employer is one way of ensuring your staff are happy and healthy. Flexibility comes in many forms, such as allowing employees to work remotely during a snowstorm, or when their youngest is battling the latest daycare cooties. Equip your employees with all the tools they need to work efficiently and effectively away from the office.

Another trending option is flexible scheduling. Why require your employees to start working at 7:30 on the nose if that rule only causes stress and anxiety? During summer months, some companies close up shop at noon on Fridays so employees get to enjoy a longer weekend. A more casual dress code is another option; an occasional “jeans and t-shirt” day could be just what your team needs to get their creative juices flowing.  

3) Understand your employees’ needs

Admirable corporate culture relies on involvement from employees and managers together—right from the outset. Be ready to listen, and be willing to consider everyone’s comments and suggestions. By understanding your employees’ needs and expectations now, you’ll be better equipped to act in simpatico with them later. 

It’s a fact: every employee needs to be acknowledged for their hard work, and some SMEs even go as far as implementing programs to celebrate employee involvement. Being able to count on a motivated team is a major advantage for any business, so encourage a sense of belonging by fostering a work environment that cultivates shared interactions and activities.

Another important element is providing your employees with advantageous working conditions: competitive salaries, comprehensive social benefits, a shared employer-employee pension plan, and adequate vacation time are all great examples.  

4) Communicate your vision clearly

Shout it from the rooftop: articulate your company’s vision, values and mission to your employees—people are more likely to adopt a vision that they understand! Further, hire employees that share your corporate values. Remember, a CEO plays a central role when it comes to communication—authenticity and the coherence of your words to actions is something that can be appreciated and emulated by everyone. Don’t hesitate to explain the benefits of an important business decision—especially when said decision impacts the entire team. It’s very likely that employees will appreciate your honesty, and will therefore be more likely to follow suit.     

Make sure the principle of open communication is applied to every level of your business. To wit, managers shouldn’t content themselves with meeting employees only once a year for annual evaluations, they should cultivate relationships with team members on a daily basis. Monthly meetings are a great way to discuss business, or simply to check in with employees and how they’re feeling. An added bonus? It gives everyone the opportunity to try that new coffee you just ordered!