Developing a corporate culture that attracts top talent is recognized as an important business priority. Culture-driven companies like Google and Netflix, that explicitly put their people first, may have found the key to success. They live by the motto “take care of your people and they will take care of your customers.”
The workplace has changed tremendously in the past thirty years, and what used to be important to employees no longer holds as much weight. Thirty years ago, job seekers were looking for a steady pay check every two weeks at a “blue-chip” company where they could put in their 40 years and come out with a good pension. Now, the employment landscape is constantly changing and new career paths are emerging almost daily. Today, a steady pay check while you ride out that long road to retirement is not as attractive or even possible.
Change started with the evolution of technology in all industries. Change continues with the rise in entrepreneurship and the ever increasing role of start-ups as they evolve into multi-million dollar companies. Technology has changed the employment landscape and changed the way people look at employment. The typical 9 to 5 workday is no longer the norm, especially for millennials who are looking for work-life balance. Companies need to have a good corporate social responsibility platform, actively practice sustainability initiatives, on top of offering good salaries. All of these factors contribute to a corporate culture that attracts top talent in 2016.
Core Values are the Blueprint of Corporate Culture
International companies like Google and Netflix have worked with their employees to create manifestos that are the blueprint to their thriving culture. NetFlix’s culture manifesto “Freedom with Responsibility” is one of the most popular documents on the internet with more than 11 million views. Culture-driven companies like these that explicitly put their people first may have found the key to success. They live by the motto “take care of your people and they will take care of your customers.”
Developing a unique and inviting corporate culture has become an issue for many employers because it relates to employee retention. The first step to cultivate an attractive corporate culture is to encourage participation from all levels of employees. Encourage teamwork and collaboration in the creation of company core values. Employee involvement will boost morale giving employees the feeling that they are heard and valued.
3 Easy Tips to Forge an Attractive Corporate Culture
Not every organization has the resources of Google or Netflix. Here are three easy tips that outline how small to medium sized businesses can forge a corporate culture that attracts the right talent.
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Listen
Employee-to-employer feedback is very underrated in companies of all sizes. Be proactive and ask your employees for feedback. What do they like about working at your company? Are there things they hate about the workplace? How would they do things differently if given the opportunity? Focus on employee needs to create a more positive corporate culture.
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Engage
To engage is to share. Every organization should consider sharing company goals and financials with their employees. This type of dialogue can help open the lines of communication. Share information to create a culture of openness in the organization. Being transparent keeps everyone aware and properly engaged.
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Reward
Showing appreciation is always valued, especially when it comes from the boss. Give recognition where it is due by acknowledging and rewarding employees to energize them.
Consequently, for companies to truly create a good working culture that engages employees and boosts morale, they have to pay attention to the wants and needs of existing employees and future employees. Work collaboratively and include social features that encourage the worker to be actively involved in the company, rather than just thinking of work as a part of the daily grind.
