Company culture is an important part of recruiting and retention at many companies. However, many startups begin with an awesome culture and fail to maintain it as they scale. Is there a way for human resources to help companies keep their culture even in a time of growth?
It's easy to maintain a strong culture when there are just 10 people in a small office. Once you gain new offices in more locations with workers across the country, it can be difficult.
Establish your culture
If you want to maintain your unique business culture, you will first need to define it, ERE Media pointed out. HR managers should collaborate with executives to determine what the company's core values are. After these have been established, figure out what each value actually looks like on the job. Think about specific times employees' behaviors reflected the brand's values.
Communicate with employees
Small companies have no problem staying in touch with their people because there are so few staff members. To maintain the same transparency and openness, companies need to work to establish communication systems that will keep staff in the loop. Internal social networks, weekly emails and face-to-face meetings help ensure everyone stays connected to the business and its core values.
Get the help of staff
Involve employees in creating the company's culture. Let staff participate in planning events and other activities that cultivate work culture. Allow different departments to establish their own daily or weekly rituals, Inc. magazine suggested. It could be a morning huddle or weekly fitness competitions. Whatever your staff decides they want to do, give them the power to do it.
Create engagement opportunities
HR can work with management to establish opportunities for employees to connect. You can also tailor these employee engagement ideas to your unique business identity. In an interview with Business Plans, Beck Bamberger of BAM Communications suggested sending team members on "dates." Assign different employees to go on outings together. According to Bamberger, this encourages new personal bonds and prevents cliques from forming.
Keep looking for fit
According to Inc. magazine, one of the best ways to maintain your culture through periods of growth is to continue to hire good cultural fits. Prioritize culture in the hiring process. Once you've established your corporate values, be sure to bring them up in the hiring process.
HR is instrumental in cultivating and maintaining office culture. Growth is positive for most companies, but it's important not to lose track of the other things that make the business great.
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