Are You Building An Inviting Company Culture?

Just like schools, countries, or even groups of friends, the workplace thrives on culture. Whether or not your company is a productive, uplifting culture falls to you.

A lack of culture in the workplace can leave your employees feeling undervalued and unappreciated. Having a negative company culture is one of the quickest ways to lose dedicated employees, and makes it harder to attract top talent. In short, lack of company culture can put you on the fast track to failure.

How does one go about creating a positive, uplifting company culture?

Example of an Effective Company Culture

Let's start by taking a look at some companies that have it down to a science. With locations in Chicago, Kansas City, and Phoenix, "Nerdery" has become one of the fastest growing companies in the country. At only 12 years old, the Nerdery has become incredibly successful in a very short amount of time.

Nerdery believes that what sets them apart is the company culture they have created. Their many awards can attest to that fact, as they are regularly awarded "Best Place To Work" from both the Minneapolis - St. Paul Business Journal, and the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

The company was started by 3 self-proclaimed "Nerds". They wanted a place that they themselves would love to work. These nerds were tired of waiting for someone else to do it, so they went out and created a workplace they would love. They strive to make their company culture as inviting and enjoyable as possible and encourage employees to be themselves.

From the beginning their focus has been their company culture and their success has all but exploded! They are bringing top talent every day, and more importantly, keeping it with their interesting and dynamic company culture.

What can make a Company Culture Thrive?

There are many aspects that help a company culture thrive, but lets start at the beginning: Bringing on new employees. Hiring new employees begins with listing your job opening with a job ad.

Most often a job ad is the very first interaction a potential employee has with your company and your company culture. With the right job ad, job title, and job description you can give potential employees an idea of the type of culture your company has. When they understand better your company culture it gives them the opportunity to decide if your company has the kind of company culture they want to be a part of as an employee.

Creating an effective job ad is the first and easiest way to begin establishing your company culture with a new hire.

Once a potential employee decides that your company culture is something they want to be a part of, what comes next?

Develop Your Company Culture by Asking the Right Questions before Hiring

When a job applicant is looking to start working with you, it is your job to be asking the right questions such as:

• Will this applicant add a new interesting work dynamic to my team?
• Can some new skill needed for the job be learned through training?
• Does this applicant seem teachable and eager to learn?
• Do they appreciate the type of company culture at our workplace?

Asking these types of questions when deciding on hiring an applicant is your first chance to start improving your company culture in a positive way.

Avoiding a singular mindset when selecting new hires is crucial. If you are looking for one very specific quality or skill in your applicants, your company culture may suffer. Sure, an applicant may come in with a shiny resume and great experience, but are they the right fit for your company and your company culture? Just like you wouldn't hire a lawyer for a daycare because they wouldn't be the right fit, selecting an applicant only for 1 or 2 qualifications can have a negative impact on your company and company culture.

Company Culture Succeeds when Employees are Valued

Let's say you hire an applicant you feel would be a great fit for your company culture, now what? How do you continue nurture and help that employee to positively impact your established company culture?

The answer to nurturing employees is both simple and complex. You must continue to make each of your employees feel valued as a contributing member of the team. The answer itself is simple, but the execution can take a bit more thinking and planning.

We've all heard of Google, and chances are we use it every day. But did you know that Google has a very simple policy: "We are a dog company". For awhile now Google employees have been encouraged to bring their furry friends to work with them. Since its inclusion, the four-legged friends have improved Google's company culture, improved workplace productivity, and Google is not the only company to be doing it. More and more companies are realizing that having a four-legged friend in the office is an incredible way to lift the spirits of your employees and improve company culture.

Now, this may be an extreme example of one way to improve company culture, but the message is still the same: Encouraging employees to be themselves, and striving to improve the quality of the workplace will give your employees the incentive to work better. After all, who would want to lose a job where you could take your dog to work with you?

Creating a company culture where employees want to work will put you in the fast lane on the way to attracting and retaining top talent.

A Positive Company Culture Brings Growth and Creativity to your Company

The "dogs in the office" policy may seem like a bit much, but the heart of the idea to create a positive company culture is there. Catered lunches, or employee activities are a great start to building your company culture for the better.

Give your employees room to decorate their office, or some way to accentuate who they are as individuals and not just an employee. Your employees are not just another number, so don't treat them as such. Company culture comes from the human experience, so make sure you are tapping into experience as much as possible.

Give your employees opportunities to learn about one another, to grow and learn together and to build healthy friendships. No positive company culture is built on a foundation of anonymity or dislike.

Adding food truck Friday's or company retreats won't make you the fastest growing company in the market, but they will help you attract top talent to your company. Having top talented employees working for you is one of the best ways to make sure your company thrives.

Properly utilizing your company culture just may be the key to taking your company to the next level. Have any questions? We are always happy to help.

We strive to continue to nurture our company culture here at ApplicantPro, so let us give you even more tips and tricks by signing up for a Free Trial. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start making the most of your company culture!