6 Characteristics of a Strong Corporate Culture
All corporate organizations, big or small, has a culture. It is defined by it. Corporate culture gives identity to every organization. To be more precise: it is what gives a company its personality.
Like an individual, a culture defines the way how your corporation interacts within itself and to the outside world, such as your trade partners, your suppliers, and especially, your clients. Culture also serves as an inspiration and a motivation for your employees; it serves as their guide in their actions within the bounds of being a part of your company. Corporate culture actually covers a vast field such as when your corporation has a healthy, happy, and productive work environment, it attracts employees. How your employees describe their workplace, how well they comprehend the business, and how they view themselves who plays a role of your organization, is also a part of it.
Establishing strong company culture is important to moving your company towards success. A strong corporate culture means that your workplace is a nurturing and fun environment, resilient to challenges, clarity of purpose, and committed to excellence.
1. A Clear Vision and Mission
A strong corporate culture starts off with a clear vision and mission. You know what you want and how to get it. Usually vision and mission are a phrase that gives your company and employee purpose. But it is not simply enough that this purpose is stated; for an organization to have a clear vision and mission, they must understand it. Each employee understands what is their purpose, the role that they play, and what responsibility do they shoulder. Employees who know what is their purpose and adapt their decisions to that purpose. Having a clear vision and mission can also boost understanding between supplies, business partners, and customers. Vision and mission are the basic, but most essential element of identity in corporate culture.
2. Code of Conduct
Apart from purpose, a code of conduct is a set of guidelines that are needed to realize their goals. The code of conduct establishes the spirit of commitment and trust within the organization. This guideline is communicated all over the company to build the proper behavior and mindsets that are needed to correspond to coworkers, handle clients, interact with partners, and promote professional conduct.
3. Teamwork
The corporate world is highly competitive; employees have to gain advantage over their peers to retain their positions or be promoted to a higher one. An organization may have competitors, but it should not be. Strong corporate culture involves learning to work with each other in teams. Every employee in the organization and their team is moving towards the same goal and they are at the same side. Unity is encouraged and should be appreciated.
4. Adapting to Change and Facing Challenges
When organizations face changes, employees tend to be distracted. It is usually fear of the unknown and what change that would bring. This fear of uncertainty incapacitates development and ability to be flexible makes employees distracted from their vision and mission. Upholding a strong culture motivates to face these challenges that seem to be difficult to win over; the resolve to realize the organization’s vision is stronger than the fear of the uncertain. Managers and team leaders should give proper support to keep their employees in track despite the difficulties.
5. Communication
Through communication, employees get a clear understanding on how what their organization is trying to achieve. It is a simple way for the organization to reach out and listen to their employees’ voice regarding management, departments, and colleagues. Feedback that are received clearly, productively, and with sensitivity to variety of personalities, temperaments, and cultures. This promotes a culture of sharing sentiments and knowledge; the organization also promotes a culture that shows genuine care for their employees.
6. Thriving Workplace
A healthy working environment demonstrates corporate responsibility of their employees. Not only should you have high standards on results, you should also have a high standard on your employees’ well being. Not only through a physical and mental aspect, a strong corporate culture should also consider the thriving working environment that enhances employees’ skills and talents. A healthy working environment motivates employees to work, be absent less often, and are more motivated which is a win for everyone.
