Having a strong company culture provides an organization with numerous benefits, such as increased employee engagement, strengthened brand image, and higher quality goal alignment. Executives should make the effort to define their organization’s missions and values and convey them to employees. There is strength in numbers; when all members of an organization are aware of its long-term goals, everyone is able to think collectively and work together to achieve those goals. Below are some reasons why your organization should foster a cohesive culture, inspired by Entrepreneur contributor Firas Kittaneh’s article “How Strong Company Values Build the Team Fledgling Startups Need.”
1. Prevent Turnover
A strong culture promotes engagement, which is key to preventing employee turnover. Employees will stay loyal to their organization if they believe in its purpose. Retaining employees is important for maintaining relationships with clients who may become frustrated by the quality of service they receive from inexperienced new hires. Additionally, replacing an employee can cost up to 150% of the annual salary associated with their position.
2. Stimulate Collaboration
Team members are likely to collaborate on tasks that pertain to organization-wide goals. When employees share common objectives, they won’t be competing against each other and will produce better outcomes, according to Kittaneh. Working collaboratively prevents employees from feeling isolated and bolsters camaraderie between them.
3. Improve Customer Service
Cohesive company culture is indirectly related to effective customer service. When employees believe in the mission of their organization, they experience a boost in morale and are unlikely to leave abruptly. They will also work more innovatively to solve problems and meet the demands of clients. Thus, they are able to deliver superb customer service and sustain healthy relationships with clients.
4. Attract Like-Minded Customers
Kittaneh writes that consumers are inclined to support a business when they share its values. By reinforcing culture throughout your organization and making it known to the world via meaningful content, your business can captivate those who support its mission.
5. Goal Alignment
To expand upon a point made above, employees are more engaged when they understand how their individual efforts play a role in larger organizational goals. As a result, their individual goals start to align with enterprise-wide goals because they will focus their efforts on helping the entire organization improve. Their mindset is less self-oriented and more geared towards the success of the organization.
6. Cultivate Accountability
Employees will feel more accountable for their work and to their organizations if a strong, cohesive culture is present, Kittaneh suggests. Employees will not want to let down their peers or managers when they feel connected to their organization’s mission. What’s more, employees claim responsibility for their efforts when there is a clear understanding of how they impact the organization as a whole.
7. Encourage Feedback
It is easier to provide feedback when everyone is on the same page about organizational goals. Employees and managers can evaluate one another based on how their efforts relate to long-term goals. Additionally, regular feedback helps to keep employees engaged and morale levels high.
8. Offer Stability
A well-established company culture is something members of an organization can fall back on during times of transition. When an organization is experiencing change, both managers and employees can develop feelings of anxiety. However, if an organization stays true to its core values, its people will have something familiar to reference. Thus, they are put at ease and remain productive.
The advantages of having a healthy company culture are invaluable for any organization. Employees will be more connected to their work and like-minded consumers will be attracted to your organization when its mission and values are continually reinforced. The benefits that your organization can reap from having a strong culture will put it a step ahead of the competition.
