What is Company Culture?

Nurturing an ingrained and positive company culture is important not only for employee engagement, happiness and loyalty, but also for creating the principles and bedrock of the overall organisation.

Since the pandemic, businesses have been, consciously or subconsciously, more aware of their company culture. The pandemic has meant many businesses have had to review what they stand for, how they want their employees to work and where. Company culture is changing the way we think about work and how we conduct business for the better.

Company culture is more than a business’s mission statement, or its values or beliefs. It is more than the leadership style conducted by the founders, board, or directors. It is more than the branded mugs and meeting areas in the office, and it is more than the processes and ways of working it follows. It is in fact all the above and more. Company Culture is the DNA of the organisation – its soul, its personality, its identity. It is how it portrays itself inwardly and outwardly and it’s a premise that is shared by its employees. An ecosystem that is lived and breathed day in, day out.

Company culture may not be expressly written but can be seen when observing the actions and behaviours of its employees. Which is why we encourage our clients to look at its surroundings and people. How are people behaving, engaging, interacting, operating? How much time is spent in meetings, at desks, out and about? It is also important to get the views of your employees, what do they think the company stands for? How would they describe the culture? Are they happy? What are the challenges? If these views are different to what you think your culture is, or should be, how are you going to change it?

Getting your culture right could make all the difference to your business succeeding or failing. If you have a high turnover of staff, this implies, culturally something is not right. You may not be creating the nice environment in which to work, or you may not be recognising and rewarding individuals, financially or verbally, or you may be restricting your people to grow and flourish. People, in the main, want to be trusted and empowered to make decisions and be accountable for their work, not questioned and stifled in their responsibilities. If you allow your teams to make decisions, and make the odd mistake, you will see your business positively grow and evolve as individuals will bring new and effective ideas to the table.

So, take a moment to observe, reflect and review your company culture. What does it say about your business?

Want to know more about company culture? Get in touch at help@pureblueocean.com