4 Steps to Cultivating a Positive Company Culture

As time goes on, company culture is meaning more and more to talented individuals who are looking for a job that matches their lifestyle. Most millennials (let’s face it, all of us) are willing to sacrifice a portion of their salary if it means that they get to work at a company where they feel valued. Moreover, companies that work to cultivate an enjoyable culture earn an intangible advantage over their competition: Employees who feel that their human need for meaning and purpose is being met by the work that they are doing are likely to exhibit higher levels of performance and put in greater efforts.

Culture means everything to us at StringCan, and we have worked very deliberately at maintaining an enjoyable company culture that encourages employees to stick around. However, company culture can’t just be developed and implemented overnight. Creating and sustaining a beneficial company culture can only be achieved through focus, intention, and action. Here are our top four steps for creating and maintaining a positive company culture for your business;

Create an Enjoyable In-Office Experience

The first part of developing a positive company culture is providing your employees with an office space that they look forward to working in. There’s truth to the old saying, time flies when you’re having fun! If you create a workspace that your employees dread, they are likely to spend more time thinking about getting out of there than working on their daily tasks.

Providing your employees with an upbeat workplace will help them get into their workflow and be more productive. Some things to consider adding if you don’t already have them include an office fridge, music, and a dog-friendly policy.

Set Aside Time for Off-Site Fun

Company culture extends beyond the office walls. Connecting with your team outside of the office gives your employees a chance to get to know each other a little bit better, ultimately leading to better communication, and improved productivity and morale in the office. Some ideas to consider for off-site fun include team lunches, happy hour, group workout classes, and our personal favorite, volunteering!

Accommodate Remote Workers and Contractors

When setting up your standards for company culture, make sure not to exclude workers who might not be working from in the office everyday. Tenured remote workers, transactional remote workers, and outside contractors all need to feel welcomed and accommodated by your company as well. It is a little bit trickier for these workers to absorb your company’s culture since they cannot do so through direct observation.

For your remote team members, invest in tech so connecting remotely is easy for them and involve them in meetings where they can be impactful. Also extend them invites to any in-person events that your company hosts. For outside contractors, treat them as a regular employee. Avoid giving them different colored badges and make sure they have equal access to any office amenities that your employees have access to (fridge, gym, etc.).

Celebrate the Wins

Maybe one of the most overlooked parts of having a positive company culture is striving for results and celebrating the wins. This step has actually developed into one of the core values at StringCan because we recognize how important it is to step back after a big win and reflect upon what we have accomplished. Being able to set and achieve goals is a big part of what pushes you forward as a company, and if your entire team is as focused as you are on completing a goal, your work develops much greater meaning.

All of the above steps tie fittingly into one central theme: Give your employees a sense of meaning and purpose in their work. We all have an innate desire to find meaning and be appreciated. Your people are your company. Look after them and they will look out for you.

I’d love to hear from you and your thoughts on cultivating a positive company culture!