Matt Thomas April 19, 2021 In today’s modern work environment, company culture is vital to success. Company culture is the heart of an organization –– encompassing a business’s values, mission and goals. According to key findings from Glassdoor, 56% of employees say company culture is more important than salary when it comes to job satisfaction.
With company culture playing such an important role in the happiness of employees, culture issues are bound to appear and can greatly affect productivity. From team communication to company values, these types of issues can have a tremendous impact on culture and in turn, negatively impact your business.
Now more than ever, company culture needs to be a top priority, especially with the majority of employees working from home. While it may look different in the new digital-only environment, it can help employees feel recognized, respected and supported. Let’s look at some of the tools companies can utilize to rebuild their company culture while working remotely:
Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Training and Development
The goal of training and development is to align your employee’s performance and goals with that of the organization’s. To succeed as an organization, training and development are important aspects in helping employees achieve their goals and strive for continued growth. There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to learning. But, providing employees with the tools and training they need is an essential first step.
A culture where learning is encouraged is key for the success of any growing business. Investing in employees and showing interest in their growth is a necessary core component to become more successful. With the today’s technology, opportunities to coach and train employees are easier than ever before. Through online training platforms, such as Lesson.ly or TalentLMS, employees can log-in from any location, watch recorded training videos and complete course trainings based on their individual needs. Juggling work in addition to home life means people are busier than ever, so it is important to keep sessions succinct.
Never Be Afraid of Overcommunication
Good internal communication is a major player in creating a healthy company culture. To produce a positive company culture, organizations must cultivate a productive communication culture in their internal processes. Effective communication among employees will not only foster transparency, trust and employee morale, but it also eliminates the possibility of confusion, conflicts and tension in the workplace.
By over-communicating, leaders reinforce important organizational information and ensure the message is clear and understood. However, it is easy for over-communication to become a hindrance. For example, over-communicating information can oftentimes become redundant. Scheduling multiple meetings on a certain topic, can become frustrating, wasting valuable time and resources.
Over-communication is most effective during a time of crisis or change. It can clarify and reinforce messages from leadership. Clear communication ensures details are not lost in the shuffle and helps eliminate the possibility of employees feeling ignored or confused. By communicating with regular updates and check-ins, it can avoid misunderstandings, keep morale high and transition change more smoothly.
Make Employees Your #1 Priority
There is a difference between showing your employees you care about them and telling them you care about them. Employees know the difference. Happy employees equal happy customers and employee satisfaction directly impacts business performance. Remote work, for many, shifted their lives upside down. Employees quickly had to learn to deal with spouses also working from home, their children doing virtual learning and the distraction of dogs barking. It created challenges and obstacles for all. As a leader, it is essential to provide employees with empathy and understanding –– wherever and whenever they need it.
To do so, it is necessary to gather feedback from your employees to determine the best solutions for sharing support and providing assistance. Through this survey, leaders can gather ideas from employees who are interested in more frequent virtual happy hours or flexible work hours. Reassure employees that their feedback is being taken seriously. Furthermore, that it is being done to help make their lives less stressful. Another option is to have employees submit ideas, thoughts and concerns through an anonymous and safe outlet, such as SuggestionOx, to ensure they can share their candid feedback.
As we navigate through another year of change, it is crucial to create a work environment where employees feel comfortable, valued and supported. With remote work continuing, there is a heightened focus on an organization’s ability to create a positive work environment. While we are unsure of what the year brings, creating a productive company culture can allow your employees and business to come together and become stronger.
Business & Finance Articles on Business 2 Community
(41)
