Southeast Michigan
You’ve heard the buzz about company culture, and how a positive one can have an encouraging impact on your business and employee motivation. But how do you go about creating the ideal culture for your business, even when you have team members working remotely? Check out our tips for cultivating a company culture that is supportive and positive for your employees.
Be Thoughtful About It
Creating an ideal business doesn’t happen by accident. If you want to create an environment that supports and motivates employees, leads to increased productivity and passes positive feelings along to clients and customers, you will have to put in the work. Take some time to think about what functions your ideal company culture would serve. What systems need to be put in place to better support your employees? Do they need any tangible items to help them do their work better? Consider the answers to these questions as you go about shaping the culture of your business.
Receiving Feedback
Your employees and team members can be great resources as you cultivate an ideal business culture; what’s ideal for them might not be ideal to you and it’s important to understand and navigate those differences. For example, the word “flexibility” is often tossed around in discussions about company culture. Maybe you see flexibility as the option to consistently work remotely and sign off early on Fridays. For your employees, it might mean the option to tackle their tasks outside of traditional business hours and flex time. By asking for and receiving feedback, you will ensure that you are prepared to create a business culture that is ideal for you and your team.
Solidifying Company Policies
Once you’ve determined what an ideal company culture should look like for your business, it’s time to put the policies in place that will make your vision an everyday reality. The importance of writing out the policies that will cultivate your company culture cannot be overstated. It is the only way to make sure that everyone is on the same page. Clearly outline expectations, of both the company and employees, and consider including the ideal impact these policies will have for everyone that’s a part of the business. Make sure each of your team members receives a digital copy and include the company policies document in your onboarding procedures. It’s important that you, as the owner, spearhead the implementation and continuous execution of these policies. Your employees will follow your lead and that will improve the business culture for everyone.
Consistently Checking in with Employees
As you implement the new policies that will create the business culture you’ve envisioned, check in to make sure you’re headed in the right direction. Are employees feeling more motivated? Do people seem to be collaborating more effectively? Have there been changes in efficiency and productivity? The easiest way to answer these questions is by simply shooting your employees an email asking for their perspective. After all, your employees are the ones that will notice any changes firsthand. Even beyond the policy implementation phase, be sure to create space for your employees to express their wants and needs consistently. This could be regularly scheduled video chats and phone calls or sending out an email every so often inviting feedback.
If you want more information about creating an ideal business culture, reach out to get in touch with one of our business coaches and ask about employee motivation!