While a company may be made up of hundreds of individuals working together to the common goal of helping the organization achieve success, it is the company’s corporate culture that binds all of these individuals together and guides them in their daily routines. Given its significance, it should come as no wonder that the proper development and maintenance of a company’s culture should be such heavily a discussed subject, and that so much hard work should go into it. In order to improve companies’ efforts along these lines, here are the final five points on the executive search firm checklist of issues that should be present in any strong corporate culture.
Support and Caring
By demonstrating to employees that the company is both caring and supportive of them in their daily lives beyond the general expectations of the workplace, companies can begin building bonds with their employees that greatly transcend that of the typical employee/employer relationship. This can be as simple as keeping track of employee birthdays, weddings, deaths in the family, etc., and sending cards and making phone calls as is deemed appropriate. Truly going above and beyond for their employees, some companies have even gone so far as to set up and provide behind-the- scenes financial support methods for those individuals who may be struggling and need help.
Educational Commitment
Providing opportunities for growth is yet another of those most fundamental business practices which all companies should seek to take advantage of. Setting up continued training and educational opportunities for their employees allows companies to add value to their existing employees, keeping them engaged and motivated, ultimately allowing employees to bring that added value back to their duties and the company as a whole, thus opening up the potential for future advancement.
Make Connections
All too often, managers, particularly upper-management, will remain at a distance from the general employee base. In order to further build and support a strong corporate culture, these individuals will need to come down from their pedestals and make connections with their employees, participating in company events and celebrations and allowing themselves to be seen as human beings with whom employees can relate.
Creating Traditions
All cultures, corporate and otherwise, are founded on traditions. Therefore, in order to help develop and solidify a company’s culture, they should seek to create their own traditions such as regularly-scheduled events and programs that will lend structure and consistency to the company’s cultural foundation. This should include getting their employees involved in the process.
Share Your Story
A company’s history, from its conceptualization and founding, to its successes and its struggles, all play a role in what the company is today and how its culture has developed. Given its importance, this information should be shared with all the company’s employees so that they will have a chance to see what it is they are a part of and can better understand their place in future development of the organization. Sharing this story can also help serve in the executive search and hiring processes by allowing candidates to get a glimpse of what they will be joining in should they be hired.
Published by Conselium Executive Search, the global leader in compliance search.
