How would you describe your company culture? Is it something that’s written down so when you’re asked about it you can simply read it off? Or, is it something that you can see in the values, behaviours and attitudes of your employees because it’s something you live and breathe?
Company Culture may be a deliberate management decision or it may come about organically as your employees design it themselves.
One company with very defined principles is Toyota, they want their employees to love where they work. They know that in turn they will have people passionate about what they do and who they do it for.
One of their principles is working in harmony with nature. It’s not just a tag line to boost their eco-credentials either.
This summer Toyota set to work with Kew Gardens to set up an on-site allotment at their Eco-HQ in Surrey. Produce grown on the allotment, or picked from the orchard on the grounds will be used in the onsite restaurant. Any money that is raised will be donated to Toyota nominated charity the MND Association.
There’s not just an allotment either, there are wildlife gardens and ponds that surround the building and have significantly increased the wildlife population of the site.
When an organisation shows such commitment to its values their employee will do the same. There’s also no denying that gardening is proven to boost physical and mental wellbeing.
We might not all be able to create the same in our workplaces, don’t worry though, there are plenty of other ways you can hone your culture and look after your employees wellbeing at the same time.
There are some key elements when it comes to a good company culture, can you identify with them?
What are your business mission and values? If you don’t know where your business is going how you can drive your employees? If you don’t act on your values why would anybody else?
Are your staff free to voice their opinion? In being able to have their say your staff will feel more part of the team and will be more like to make things happen. If employees feel unnoticed it’s likely they’ll also feel unmotivated.
Do you celebrate the good stuff? Remember when you were at primary school and you got a smiley face or star in your book? How proud you were of what you’d achieved? We’re not saying that you need to go out and buy a pack of stickers but employees who feel appreciated for their contribution will continue to contribute and will let everyone know how valued they feel in your business.
How you do promote individual development? Investing in you staff is an investment not only in their career path but also in your business. You recognise their potential and help with get there and they will reciprocate.
Practice what you preach, if your managers don’t project your values their teams won’t either.
So then, what is your company culture? Are your people motivated enough to have an interest in it, if not why?
If you’re still unsure we can help you. We are Motivational Maps Practitioners and have worked with clients to identify the motivations of their staff and how they fit with the values of the business, providing guidance when the two don’t quite match up.