Defining a Company Culture: Tips, Tricks, and Mistakes to Avoid

Did you know that companies with a strong company culture are more likely to attract and retain top talent? In fact, according to a recent study, 94% of executives and 88% of employees believe that a distinct workplace culture is important to business success. But what exactly is company culture, and how can you develop a strong one? 

In this article, we’ll explore tips, tricks, and mistakes to avoid when defining your culture. Whether you’re looking to adopt remote working or expand into new territories, building a strong culture is essential to your success.

Defining Your Company Culture

Defining company culture is critical to building a successful business. Your company culture should reflect your company purpose and guide your employees in the right direction. Here are some tips on how to define your company culture:

1. Start With Your Company Purpose

Your company purpose should be the foundation of your company culture. Ask yourself, what is the purpose of your company, and what values do you want your employees to uphold?

2. Identify Your Core Values

Your core values are the principles that define how you want your employees to behave. Identify the values that are most important to your company and make sure they align with your company purpose.

3. Involve Your Employees

Your employees are a critical part of defining your company culture. Involve them in the process by gathering feedback and ideas. This will help to create a sense of ownership and commitment to your company culture.

4. Communicate Your Culture

Once you have defined your company culture, communicate it clearly to your employees. Make sure they understand the values and behaviors that are expected of them.

5. Lead By Example

As a leader, you are responsible for setting the tone for your company culture. Make sure you lead by example and model the behaviors and values that you want your employees to emulate.

Tips For Building A Strong Company Culture

Building a strong company culture can take time and effort, but the benefits are worth it. Here are some tips to help you create a positive and productive company culture:

1. Start With A Strong Company Purpose

Defining your company’s purpose is the first step in building a strong culture. It gives employees a sense of direction and helps them understand what the company stands for. Your purpose should be clear and meaningful, and should be communicated to employees regularly.

2. Hire For Cultural Fit

When hiring new employees, it’s important to look for a cultural fit. This means looking beyond their skills and experience and considering whether they share your company’s values and beliefs. Hiring for cultural fit can help ensure that new employees will integrate well into your company culture.

3. Communicate And Reinforce Your Values

Communicating your company values is essential for building a strong culture. This includes:

• Clearly defining your values
• Sharing them with employees
• Integrating them into all aspects of the company

Regularly reinforcing these values through company policies, performance evaluations, and other methods can also help build a strong culture.

4. Encourage Open Communication

Encouraging open communication is another key aspect of building a strong culture. This means creating an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas, and where feedback is valued. Regular check-ins, team-building activities, and other communication strategies can help facilitate this.

5. Recognise And Reward Employees

Recognizing and rewarding employees for their hard work and contributions is an important part of building a strong culture. This can include things like employee of the month programs, performance bonuses, and other incentives. Recognizing and rewarding employees can help foster a sense of pride and loyalty among your staff.

Mistakes To Avoid When Defining Your Company Culture

Defining a company culture can be challenging, and it’s important to avoid common mistakes that could lead to a negative culture. Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid:

1. Failing To Involve Employees In The Process

Employees are the backbone of any company, and their input is critical when defining company culture. Make sure to involve them in the process, listen to their feedback, and incorporate their ideas into the culture.

2. Not Aligning The Culture With Company Purpose 

Your company culture should align with your company purpose. If your culture doesn’t support your company purpose, you risk creating a culture that doesn’t resonate with employees or customers.

3. Being Too Rigid

While it’s important to have a clear set of values and behaviors that define your culture, being too rigid can stifle innovation and creativity. Leave room for flexibility and adaptability to ensure your culture evolves with the company.

4. Ignoring Diversity And Inclusion

A strong company culture should reflect the diversity of your workforce and ensure that everyone feels included. Ignoring diversity and inclusion can lead to a negative culture and damage employee morale.

5. Failing To Reinforce The Culture

Once you have defined your culture, it’s important to reinforce it regularly. Failing to do so can lead to a culture that doesn’t reflect your values and may not be effective in guiding employee behavior.

How EOR And Global Expansion Can Help Build Company Culture

Global expansion and EOR services can help build a strong company culture by providing a solid foundation for your business to operate in different countries. By partnering with an EOR, you can ensure that your employees are being taken care of, even if they are working in a different country. This means:

• Providing them with the necessary benefits
• Ensuring compliance with local labor laws
• Providing them with support as needed

EOR services can also help to streamline your HR and payroll processes. This makes it easier for you to focus on building and maintaining a strong company culture. With an EOR, you can expand your business globally while maintaining a cohesive company culture across all locations.

Develop A Strong Company Culture For Your Global Business

Your company culture sets the tone for how your employees interact with each other, your customers, and your partners. By defining your company culture, you can create a positive and productive work environment that drives success.

But building a strong company culture can be challenging, especially for global businesses. At Bradford Jacobs, we offer consulting services that can guide you on your expansion journey, helping you navigate the challenges of building a strong company culture in new and unfamiliar territories.

So why wait? Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you develop a strong company culture and build a successful global business.