Recent research demonstrates that a positive workplace culture can improve job satisfaction, which in turn can reduce turnover rates, saving businesses significant time and costs.
While developing workplace culture may not appear to be an immediate priority for business owners, it can be invaluable in attracting and retaining exceptional talent.
Despite best efforts to reduce turnover, it is inevitable that staff will come and go over the years. Maintaining a consistent workplace culture irrespective of staff changes can be a major challenge for business owners. Management should make a conscious effort to determine what the right culture is for their business and actively pursue it.
How can you create a great workplace culture?
Monica Rosenfeld, Founder and Managing Director of WordStorm Public Relations, which was established in 2000, shares her five tips to keep a happy culture in the workplace despite people moving on and new people joining the team.
1. Encourage the team to support each other instead of compete with one another
A competitive culture is often a precursor to staff seeking employment opportunities elsewhere. Cultivate support over competitiveness by introducing acknowledgments at team meetings. Each team member recognises another for something they’ve done well.
2. Trusting management style rather than policing
Developing work place culture should take a top-down approach, staff will take the lead from those above them. Micromanaging and not relinquishing control shows your team you don’t trust that they are capable. Being supportive rather than overbearing will bring the best out of the right personality.
3. Hire self-motivated people who thrive on being given responsibility to handle clients and campaigns
Hiring self-motivated people goes hand in hand with a trusting management style and creates the most effective workplace environment. Management can feel more comfortable trusting staff when they’re self-motivated and thrive on responsibility. In public relations, campaigns will run most smoothly when the Account Manager takes control and direction.
4. Hold regular social activities for the team to enjoy together and not talk about work
I’m talking team lunches, comedy nights, Melbourne Cup etc.:
Don’t wait for someone else to organise a social event. Take the lead and suggest an activity or make a regular time for others to come forward with ideas. At social events, encourage a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere – comedy nights are a fantastic way to break the ice.
5. Be clear about the culture of the workplace in the interview and do your best to ensure you hire the right personalities for your business
Personality testing in interviews might be outdated but it’s important to keep in mind the personality of applicants and their communication style in interviews to determine how they would fit with the existing team. Be clear and honest about your culture rather than attempt to sell it to applicants and ensure it’s in line with their expectations.
