A recent study by Gallup found that businesses with greater percentages of engaged employees significantly outperformed their competition — with earnings per share that were 147 % higher .
In order for a company ’ s culture to be considered beneficial , it needs to succeed at prioritizing the value of relationships between employees , across functions and management levels — as well as inspiring creativity and achievement .
To get to that stage , employees need to embrace the culture and perform at high levels . Yet , in order for employees to believe in and live out the attributes that a company publicly stands for , leadership needs to model and embody the company ’ s stated culture first . Employees naturally look to their leaders for direction and modeling . Expect them to collectively study how management operates and to follow their lead . Once they recognize an emphasis on culture at the highest levels , employees will then feel affirmed and encouraged to embody that culture .
Most companies were birthed from the creativity and character of an individual or team . Over time , their original work culture becomes the legacy that the company is charged with maintaining . Should they succeed at continuing to nurture and embody it , the company and its brand ( s ) are more likely to continue to thrive .
Proving Culture by What You Do It will be readily apparent to alert stakeholders — from employees at all levels to trusted vendors and loyal customers — whether a company ’ s decisions and actions reflect the virtues set out in its culture statement .
How can leaders directly create a positive and productive work culture that lines up to the brand promise ?
ÎÎMeet with employees from all
ÎÎInvite helpful feedback and levels through town hall meetings . suggestions .
ÎÎSpeak clearly in ordinary terms .
ÎÎShow compassion and interest in all roles .
ÎÎModernize incentive programs .
ÎÎInvest in creative and inclusive off-site retreats to refresh a new three-year strategic plan .
ÎÎReward loyalty , innovation , and creative problem solving .
ÎÎSupply the office with modern equipment that improves quality of life .
ÎÎUse office decor to convey the organization ’ s culture , or to reflect what makes the organization unique .
ÎÎPaint the break rooms in trendy colors .
Î Î Publicly recognize employees who model the company culture in exceptional ways .
Regardless of what you choose to do , constructive culture is more believable when it ’ s relevant to the outside world . Leaders who regularly evaluate their established company culture against culture shifts in society will score extra credibility points with all . Talk with your relationship manager or Client Services about investing to build upon your growing culture . Sterling National Bank can help .
Proclaiming a New Culture
> Culture is a leading indicator of employee satisfaction so it needs to be treated as an investment in the success of the business . And it should have an official creed to explain it . Culture shifts change how workers think and operate . The bold statement or manifesto you create will become the black and white benchmark for employees to work by . It also will determine how your brand comes to life in your organization . So is it time to craft a new one ? Evaluate your manifesto with input from across functions . Pull keywords from your mission statement and ask a diverse team of employees how they fulfill those . If words like innovation , agility , transparency or compassion are used , assess their presence and role within your company . Culture partially defines a brand , but it also attracts and retains talent while greatly affecting employee commitment levels . When deeply entrenched in a company , the culture manifesto actually becomes a filter for pivotal decisions — regarding everything from choosing supply chain vendors to establishing hiring processes . When employees have embraced your company ’ s desired culture , you will hear the manifesto repeated often and see it lived out continuously . As the summary of a company ’ s core DNA , an accurate manifesto should adapt to market changes . Plan on tweaking a manifesto ’ s language over time in order that it remains relevant to all of its stakeholders .
CONNECT CULTURE WINTER 2016 // SNB . COM | 3