The idea of company culture is something that has seen great change over the last decade as we transition into an era of more flexible work environments. However, the core structures that make up company culture can be defined as the shared set of values, beliefs and attitudes that characterise an organisation. In short, company culture is the personality of a company, and that personality can have a huge effect on determining its staff retention, employee satisfaction and, ultimately, its success as a business.
At the end of the day, we spend one third of our lives working so the spaces that we work in, both physically and virtually, are vital to our overall fulfilment. This is proven by recent statistics as 56% of employees say company culture is more important than salary. In the modern world, employees are beginning to place more value on the life that their job can provide for them rather than the money that they can earn. Not only is good company culture a priority for employees but it can have far-reaching benefits for employers too. Good company culture can improve productivity by 12% and reduce job turnover by over 30%.
Understanding the Three Cs of Company Culture
In order to create good company culture, there are three key elements that must be considered: communication, collaboration and community. By understanding and implementing The Three Cs of Company Culture, you can ensure that you are fostering an environment of respect, compassion and inclusivity.
Communication
Communication is at the centre of everything we do and the same should go for your company. Whether it is internal or interdepartmental, the way in which we communicate has a substantial impact on the environment of the workplace. Effective communication means that every message that is passed through the company is done so with clarity, compassion and consistency. It is important to always address the ‘why’ of a message while also understanding what the effect of it might mean for the individual receiving it. But communication is a two-way street and cannot be successful without also exercising careful listening. Above all, effective communication means listening to each individual voice and ensuring, through your company’s actions, that they feel heard and understood.
Collaboration
Collaboration is a key component of any workspace, but it is becoming especially important as the dynamic of the working world continues to evolve. Traditional hierarchical structures are being dismantled every day to make way for an approach that values the collective input of the whole team. Collaboration is being implemented in smaller ways too. By creating opportunities that require a collaborative approach, such as team projects and cross-functional task forces, allows your team to work together to achieve a shared goal. However, it’s not enough to simply create spaces for collaboration; it’s paramount to ensure that your team knows how to collaborate effectively. As an employer or a manager, training your employees on the fundamentals of collaboration and teamwork is as essential as the work itself.
Community
The difference between good company culture and bad company culture ultimately boils down to community. Does your team feel like they are a part of something that is more than just the work that they do? Creating a sense of community might seem daunting initially, but by cultivating a collaborative environment that prioritises communication, your workplace is already on its way to becoming a successful community.
There are small changes that an employer can make to help maintain a strong sense of community, such as team-building activities and social clubs, but ultimately, community is created and nurtured by the people that make it up. By ensuring that your team feel understood, included and valued, your company culture will foster an environment that will transform into a diverse community as it grows.