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Understanding Your Company Culture

How much thought have you put into your company’s culture? Have you thought about it at all?

Even if you haven’t, it’s likely your office has a particular operational set of values and expectations, with standards and priorities all employees, from the corner suite to the middle of the cube-filled office, are expected to uphold and personify.

Your company culture is a combination of things. The mission statement adopted by the company sets the tone for everything, spelling out what drives the whole operation forward.

Not only that, it provides your employees, clients and future partners with a sense of expectations, an idea of what they can expect from working with or for your company, starting with the first handshake.

• Does your office value volunteerism?
• Does your company prefer to praise employees or use monetary bonuses for motivation?
• Is there a priority placed on work-life balance?
• Is overtime mandatory or optional?

For a company’s culture to really stick with employees, it should also provide a strategic advantage, with all employees and managers working for the same result. Those shared values can bring with them an enhanced sense of trust from employees toward their managers. It can also bring a faster decision-making process, which can benefit the firm’s bottom line. Start with the onboarding process. How clearly are the company’s objectives stated? How long does the process take, and how many different people and departments are involved? What type of first impression does it leave?

• Start with the onboarding process. How clearly are the company’s objectives stated? How long does the process take, and how many different people and departments are involved? What type of first impression does it leave?

• Talk to some newer employees about how welcomed they felt and whether they were able to build a rapport with their managers and coworkers quickly. Did it take a while for people to talk with them, or were they instantly brought into the group?

• Next, take a look at any incentive programs your firm offers. Are they open to everyone? Are they forgotten? How well utilized are they? What types of incentives are offered — is it only monetary, or are there options?

• Observe how your teams work together. Do they relate well to each other? Are there conflicts? Does everyone treat each other with respect?

Checking in your company’s culture might sound like a warm-and-fuzzy thing to do, but it can pay real dividends to get and keep everyone on the same page. It means better retention rates, better loyalty, faster decision-making procedures, and can lead to improved profitability.

Need help finding the perfect talent for your team?

IFG Global, a leader in recruiting services in Canada and the United States, is ready to help you invest in your team and your firm’s future. Contact us today to begin working on your customized staffing solution.