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What is company culture? -

According to Forbes, company culture represents the living, breathing persona of your company, capturing the norms, values, and behaviors of the business. What can be done to foster a positive company culture? Click on to find out!

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Psychological safety -

Foster an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas, taking risks, and admitting to mistakes without worrying about retribution. Fear limits us and, thus, minimizing it promotes innovation.

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Transparency and open communication -

Holding regular, scheduled company-wide meetings as well as encouraging open dialogue with leadership, and readily sharing relevant information, keeps employees engaged and aware.

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Ergonomic workstations -

Don't neglect physical well-being! Investing in ergonomics alongside mental health initiatives can significantly improve overall employee health. Ergonomic furniture, for example, can help prevent injuries.

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Regular breaks and time off -

Unlimited PTO might be an enticing option for many, but actually encouraging employees to utilize their vacation time for true rest and rejuvenation is key.

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Recognition and appreciation - Everyone enjoys receiving recognition in one way or another. One idea is to publicly acknowledge and reward employee achievements, both big and small, to boost morale and motivation.

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Meaningful work and the bigger picture -

Tie the company’s mission and purpose to employee roles, which will allow them to see their impact and the purpose beyond their own contributions. Fulfilling work is extremely important for employees and helps them stay motivated.

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Collaboration and teamwork - "Flat hierarchies" in a company promote community, connection, and innovation. Break down silos between departments, celebrate team wins, and make sure to encourage cross-functional collaboration.

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Employee wellness -

From fitness challenges to health insurance plans with mental health coverage, there are numerous ways a company can show employees they care. Additionally, consider promoting healthy eating habits.

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Diversity, equity, and inclusion -

Actively recruiting from diverse backgrounds means teams of culturally-rich talent with varying ideas and thoughts. To further support, develop employee resource groups (ERGs) and be sure to celebrate differences.

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Growth and development -

Offer opportunities for professional development, including options for training programs, conferences, mentorship initiatives, and more to positively challenge employees' minds and spirits.

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Work-life balance -

Establish and promote healthy boundaries by respecting flexible work arrangements, offering on-site wellness programs, and encouraging breaks. Output is important, but work is often more effective given balance.

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Feedback culture - Be open–minded when it comes to constructive feedback. Take it even a step further and implement regular performance reviews and actively solicit employee suggestions for improvement.

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Celebrate milestones -

Remembering and recognizing birthdays, personal achievements, and work anniversaries can show employees they are valued. It doesn’t have to be a big gesture, either; a small acknowledgement often goes a long way.

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Internal communication platforms -

Utilize internal communication tools like chats, forums, or newsletters to keep employees informed and engaged. Light-hearted, company-wide messages can also be communicated via private social media channels.

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Conflict resolution training -

Conflicts and misunderstandings are sure to arise, even with the best intentioned team. Equip employees with conflict resolution skills to address disagreements constructively.

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Internal recognition programs -

While top-down recognition is important, so is creating peer-to-peer recognition programs where employees can acknowledge each other's contributions and celebrate accordingly.

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Focus on strengths -

In today’s culture, it can be tempting to try and get better at your weaknesses, versus harnessing your strengths. Aim to help employees identify and leverage their strengths to optimize their performance and satisfaction.

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Healthy competition - Encouraging friendly competition between teams can aid in boosting engagement without creating a toxic environment. For example, transparently showing metrics can help promote healthy accountability.

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Regular team meetings -

On a smaller scale when compared to company-wide meetings, regular team meetings are also crucial to discuss projects, celebrate successes, and address any current or future roadblocks.

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Employee surveys -

Conduct regular employee surveys to gauge satisfaction, identify areas for improvement, and measure the effectiveness of your efforts. Always aim to share the results of the survey, while prioritizing anonymity.

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Employee assistance programs (EAPs) -

Showing up for your employees can look very different from the past. Offering confidential support services to help employees manage personal challenges can help them come to work more focused.

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Flexibility and autonomy -

The days of bosses who hover and decide every move is long gone. Empowering employees to make decisions and trusting them to manage their own time, including offering remote work options, is what keeps top talent happy.

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Casual dress code - Jeans on Fridays or dressy-casual every day: allowing for a casual dress code promotes comfort and creativity while maintaining professionalism.

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Social events and team building -

Organize optional team-building activities outside of work to foster connections and build camaraderie. The optional nature of these events gives employees extra flexibility.

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Volunteer opportunities - Encourage and support employee participation in volunteer activities that align with company values. Not only does this help make the world a better place, it promotes teamwork amongst employees.

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Quiet spaces -

Provide designated quiet spaces for employees who need focused work time without distractions. Two ideas are phone booth-style boxes or individual rooms where employees can go to get away from the noise.

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Access to financial planning workshops -

Money worries can be a major source of stress for employees. By offering resources to help employees build healthy financial habits, companies can create a happier, healthier, and more engaged workforce.

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Create a knowledge-sharing platform -

Employees can share their expertise and learn from each other. This could be a dedicated forum, a knowledge base, or even an internal social media platform.

Sources: (Forbes) (Thunderbird School of Global Management) (SurveyMonkey) (Built In) (Zoho)

See also: How gender biases impede business

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