10 Steps to defining your workplace culture

Corporate culture is the collection of values, beliefs, ethics and attitudes that characterise an organisation and guide its practices. The meaning of corporate culture encompasses the way people work, interact, and communicate within an organization, and can be an indicator for potential employees of what the working environment is like in a business.

Defining your corporate culture means blending your company values with your company goals in a way that benefits both employees and managers. Having a positive corporate culture in place, means that employees are comfortable, respectful and enthusiastic about their work.

Because corporate culture affects almost every area of a business, it’s no wonder that it’s such an important factor to get right. According to research by Deloitte, 94% of executives and 88% of employees believe a strong corporate culture is important to a business’s success. This research also found a strong correlation between employees who say they feel happy and valued at work and those who say their company has a strong workplace culture.

When your business has a great culture, it sets the baseline for the rest of your operations. Some of the benefits of a positive corporate culture include:

• Increased job satisfaction
• Higher rates of productivity
• Increased employee retention
• Reduced workplace stress

It’s clear how important corporate culture is – but how can a company begin to build their own? Here are ten important steps to building company culture.

In the world of the future of work, there’s no excuse for companies not to invest in their inclusion efforts. From hiring practices to HR policies, a company’s culture always benefits from more inclusive practices. Examining your company’s composition from the top down, updating workplace policies, providing inclusion training and investing in mentorship programmes are all ways to foster a more inclusive workplace culture.

Even if your company has a fantastic workplace culture, it can be hindered if your employees aren’t aware of your efforts. Make sure you have a clear and consistent message about your core values, personality, and expectations, and communicate it effectively to your employees and customers. Your employees should be able to find information about your culture easily, with processes being as transparent as possible.

Remember that defining your corporate culture is an ongoing process. It requires continuous communication and commitment from all members of your team. But your company will reap the benefits of this work for years to come. Building a happy, respectful and encouraging work culture is one of the most effective ways to build strong business success.

For international teams, building a positive workplace culture can be even more challenging. Take a look at our tips for international HRMs on building strong workplace culture. Remember to keep company culture high on your priority list to ensure the retention and happiness of employees.