The concept that a company’s culture may influence whether it thrives or fails is now universally accepted. This is because the culture you foster within your company has a substantial impact on productivity, efficiency, staff retention, and bottom-line profitability. With this in mind, you must take steps to establish the type of working environment that you believe will yield the best outcomes for both you and your employees.
Furthermore, culture is so important to job candidates that more than a third of U.S. employees will turn down a job offer if the corporate culture isn’t right. This means that even if you pay a high wage and provide outstanding benefits, you may not be able to attract top people if you do not take steps to create a favorable working environment.
Of course, each firm and industrial sub-sector is different, and there are various aspects to consider. However, you can follow some general rules to help you create a fun, happy, and effective workplace culture that will likely boost employee morale and keep your employees operating at their best.
>See also: How to Make Your Workplace More Attractive to Employees
Hire for your company’s culture.
The hiring process is where your company’s culture begins. After all, the people who work for your company will ultimately determine the working environment. As a result, when interviewing new employees, make it obvious what your company’s culture is and what they can expect from them.
Remember that this should be a two-way conversation. The game’s goal is to locate applicants who are a good fit for your firm and will not upset the current working atmosphere that you have worked so hard to create. You could ask questions like these during the interview:
- What about a new job that thrills you the most?
- In previous employment, how has the business culture influenced you?
- What do you look for in a job?
- Have you ever felt out of place at work? If yes, what made you feel that way?
Make time for enjoyment and relaxation in your schedule.
If you want your SMB to have a lively, positive atmosphere, you must take steps to achieve that. One of the most effective ways to do this is to schedule time for your employees to have fun and relax.
Whether playing laser tag once a month or having an office happy hour on Fridays, the goal is to give employees a chance to unwind and get to know one another outside of the office.
Remember that you don’t have to use the whip all of the time. You’ll often get more from your employees if you offer them some leeway and allow them to take some time off now and again.
In light of this, why not schedule some recreational time during the week (outside of regular break times)? Solving jigsaw puzzles, going for a walk outside, playing a round of Sudoku, playing Lumosity’s brain-training activities, or even listening to music and sharing stories are examples of this. Ask them what they want to accomplish, and then go from there.
Recognize successes and milestones.
People want to know whether or not they did a good job. If they go above and above, working longer hours but receiving little appreciation for their efforts, they will likely feel discouraged and give up. To make your staff feel valued, you must pay attention to them as the owner. Is it the first anniversary of someone? Have a party in the office. Did someone just find out they’re expecting a child? Get them a present. As with most things in life, the tiny things are the most important.
Get out of the office – with your coworkers.
Many businesses mistake conducting all employee interactions within the same four walls every day. This can quickly become stale. So, why not shake things up now and again by planning a day away from the office for you and your coworkers? Of course, depending on the size of your company, you may need to divide it into smaller groups (or teams).
Organizing a workplace event gives your staff something to look forward to and get enthusiastic about. It also provides a topic of conversation for everyone. It’s a shared experience that everyone can connect to once it’s finished. Here are a few to get you started if you’re stuck for ideas:
- A trip to a football game is on the cards.
- Paintballing
- Go-karting
- Escape rooms are a type of game in which you
- Classes in the kitchen
Bonus tip: Set a good example.
Communication, accountability, and trust. The core of a fun, positive, and happy workplace is these values and beliefs. With this in mind, you must set an example for your staff and show them how to behave in the workplace. After all, if you want your employees to act a specific way or follow a set of standards (or etiquette), you must be perceived to do so; otherwise, you will soon create tension between yourself and your staff.
