Company culture is a combination of the vision, mission, values, goals, and the day-to-day activities of a workplace. Culture is essentially the soul of your company and should be a prime consideration in your business strategy. Why? Because it has a major influence over your corporate reputation, team engagement, performance, and productivity.

Though an intangible concept, company culture can have a very tangible impact on your company, from your daily operations, to decision-making, to workplace policies and hiring conventions. With a modern lifestyle of long working hours and an increased battle to gain preferential experience, people are now more than ever, wanting to feel more engaged in the workplace, and this is where culture comes in.

Read on to learn four reasons why culture should be at the top of your business agenda.

Employees Care

Time and time again studies have shown that employees care about company culture, and that how they engage with that culture can make all the difference in their drive, motivation and productivity in the workplace. When employees have a poor relationship with and don’t adapt well to the culture within a company, the likelihood of them becoming disengaged or even quitting increases. Alternatively, if they do adjust well to the culture, they are much more willing to make bigger contributions, build better and stronger relationships with their team and colleagues, and stay with the company longer.

Increase Employee Engagement

Employee engagement has become a key focus for many employers. Generally, employees tend to engage more with their work when they feel a sense of purpose, that they are being heard, that they are valued, and that they have the opportunity for growth and progression. Employees who are engaged in the workplace carry with them the motivation to uphold the company culture and simultaneously the drive to increase their productivity, which improves both performance and morale in the workplace. On the other hand, unhappy or unsatisfied employees tend to only have the motivation to do the bare minimum. Feeling unappreciated for hard work and good ethics can negatively affect productivity and in some cases can drive great employees to quit.

Enhances Employee Performance

When employees feel that their leaders care about their wellbeing in the workplace, and not just company profit, this creates a sense of loyalty in the workplace. Studies show that companies that prioritize culture consistently outperform their competition by 20 percent on average. Open, inclusive and positive workplace cultures that encourage creative thinking and ideas will drive the sharing of knowledge and the collaboration vital for workplace innovation and improvement. With culture at the centre of your business strategy, you will inspire more creative teams and create an innovative edge over your competition. 

Creates Workplace Advocates

Outside of the workplace it is inevitable that your employees will discuss their experience at work, whether to vent or commend. Company culture can often mean the difference between a satisfied employee with the influence of a brand ambassador, and those equivocal employees who are ready to jump on the next opportunity to come their way. If you want to create a workplace that people want to be a part of, give your employees a voice, recognize their contributions, and actively reinforce the corporate mission and values. Then positive word of mouth will follow, and you’ll be able to generate brand awareness and attract new talent. 

Prioritizing culture in your business strategy is essential, and a win-win for both the company and employees alike. Make sure that you are constantly revisiting and keeping open discussions about the culture in your workplace and recognizing everyone’s role in building it. While this is one of your most important responsibilities as a leader, it is not something that you can impose on the workplace, you need to ensure everyone has the opportunity to engage and have an input.

Do you need some help starting this conversation in the workplace? Our business coaching can help address some of the key issues within your company, including communication. Contact us today to find out how we can help.