How to improve company culture & why is it important for success?

Jun 10

Executive Summary

Culture is a business buzzword that has been around forever, but what does it really mean, and why is it so important to success?

In the bustling landscape of modern business, where strategies evolve rapidly and technologies advance at a breakneck pace, corporate culture remains steadfast and foundational.

In this blog, we'll break down the concept of culture within an organisation, its various types, and why it's a critical factor in an organisation's success. We'll also explore methods for improving culture, including the use of a Corporate Culture Assessment, and discuss how a strong culture can lead to positive outcomes.

What is Corporate Culture and Why Is It Important?

Simply put, corporate culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours that shape the way an organisation operates. It's the invisible force that influences how employees interact, make decisions, and carry out their roles. Imagine it as the DNA of a company, guiding its actions and setting the tone for the workplace. This next section takes a closer look at, what is corporate culture and why is it important?

The culture of an organisation can vary widely and what it looks like is entirely dependent on the people that operate within it, how they act, think and behave. Culture isn’t black and white, nor is it something that can happen with the click of a button or a bi-monthly team social. It is something that has to be worked on every day, woven into the fabric of the people within a team and their experience at work and, like a muscle, the more you train it the stronger it gets.

The importance of a strong culture within a business

The importance of a strong corporate culture cannot be overstated. It is not merely a nice-to-have aspect of an organisation; rather, it wields a significant impact on its overall success. One of the key reasons why corporate culture matters is its profound influence on employee engagement and satisfaction. A healthy corporate culture nurtures a sense of belonging and purpose among its workforce, consequently leading to heightened levels of engagement and job satisfaction which indirectly improves performance.

Company culture plays a pivotal role in talent attraction and retention. Companies that boast a robust and positive culture often find themselves attracting top-tier talent and, equally importantly, retaining skilled employees, owing to the appealing workplace environment they provide.

But perhaps even more importantly, company culture aids employee retention by reinforcing certain values, behaviours and cultures. A strong company culture fosters improved collaboration and innovation within the organisation. Cultures that emphasise collaboration and innovation encourage employees to freely exchange ideas and think creatively. This results in more effective problem-solving and a higher degree of innovation. When employees align with the company's values and goals they tend to be more productive and take ownership of their roles, thereby contributing to the overall success and growth of the organisation. Therefore, highlighting that a positive company culture is not just a superficial attribute but a fundamental driver of an organisation's prosperity and sustainability.

Understanding your culture through data

Utilising a Corporate Culture Assessment to impact success involves a two-step approach. The first step is reviewing a company culture, usually through conducting a ‘cultural health check’. This includes surveys, interviews, and soliciting employee feedback in dedicated workshops. This comprehensive assessment process allows the organisation to gain a deep understanding of its existing culture.

Secondly, after analysing the assessment results and identifying areas of how to improve company culture, a well-structured plan can be developed to implement necessary changes and align the organisation's values, goals, and behaviours. This plan outlines actionable steps to address cultural challenges and foster a healthier, more productive workplace. By diligently reviewing the culture and strategically implementing changes, the organisation can effectively enhance its cultural health, positioning itself for long-term success and employee satisfaction.

Your Cultural Health Check

100 & First can support your corporate culture assessment, through a tailored service designed to assist and guide the leadership team during a period of change. Whether it’s a workshop to focus on a specific area of change or a cultural analysis to help understand the current culture of your organisation.

Will Fraser