I have sat in a lot of discussions in businesses where the founders agonised about their business culture, hoping to get it right, hoping that it would work.
I have listened to many debates about if the business should make space for a table football table, or table tennis table, or provide snacks and free lunches. In my opinion these conversations are wasted time and frankly out of date.
The debate about culture goes back further than these fads, or “nice to haves” if you prefer to call them that. As a business owner or founder, you simply have to realise that the business culture is defined by you and your fellow founders or leadership team.
Putting it simply you have a critical role to play in setting the tone and driving the culture for any business you build or run. I don’t think many people would debate that a strong and positive company culture is essential for attracting and retaining top talent, improving employee engagement and productivity, and ultimately driving business success.
However, a strong company culture is not just about internal communications and operations, it’s also about how you are perceived outside of your business, in social media and public communications.
Here are some steps you can take to establish and maintain a successful company culture, both internally and in the public eye:
- Lead by example: As a founder, owner or leader, you are the face of your company, and your actions speak louder than words. You must lead by example and demonstrate the values and behaviours you want your team to embody. This means being transparent, honest, and setting a positive tone in all your interactions with employees. Your employees will mimic your style and your behaviour.
- Communicate clearly: Communication is key to setting the right tone and establishing a strong company culture. Make sure to clearly articulate your vision, mission, and values, and communicate them consistently to your team. This helps create a shared understanding and a common purpose for everyone working in the business.
- Empower your team: One of the hallmarks of a positive company culture is empowering employees to take ownership of their work and make decisions. By giving your team the freedom to contribute and take initiative, you foster a culture of innovation and engagement.
- Reward and recognize success: A culture of success is built on recognizing and rewarding achievement. Celebrate the wins, both big and small, and make sure employees feel appreciated for their contributions.
- Encourage feedback and collaboration: Encourage open and honest communication between employees and provide opportunities for collaboration. This not only helps build trust and transparency, but also fosters a sense of community and collective ownership within the company.
- Be transparent in public communications: Be open and honest in your public communications, and don’t shy away from sharing both your successes and challenges. This helps build trust and credibility with your customers, employees, and stakeholders.
- Align with your values: Make sure that your public communications align with your company’s values and purpose. This consistency helps reinforce your brand and builds a positive image for your company.
- Engage with your audience: Social media is a powerful tool for connecting with your audience. Engage with your followers and respond to comments and feedback in a positive and professional manner. This shows that you value their opinions and are committed to building a positive relationship with them.
- Monitor your online presence: Regularly monitor your online presence to ensure that your company’s image and reputation are being maintained. Respond to negative comments or feedback in a constructive and professional manner and take steps to address any issues that may arise. Do not enter social media arguments, resolve those personally, one to one.
- Continuously evaluate and improve: A successful company culture is not a static thing. It requires continuous effort to maintain and improve. Regularly evaluate your culture, listen to feedback from employees, and make changes as needed to ensure you are fostering a positive and productive work environment.
In summary, you shape the culture of your business from the top down. By leading by example, communicating clearly, empowering your team, being transparent in communications and showing openness you will be on the right path to setting and fostering a company culture that will spread throughout your business and aid your success.