12 Tangible Ways to Build Culture
Good culture is more than just free snacks in the breakroom. Although, that’s a good start. To get to the next level, however, it’s going to take a lot more than that. Culture and values aren’t just things you talk about. They must be recognizable in the behaviour of everyone in your organization. They also must be tangible.
Most organizations talk about valuing their employees, but do they put their money where their mouth is?
12 Tangible Ways to Build Culture
1. Pay People Well
It’s simple, but paying your people market wages is the best way to show them they are valued. In today's economic reality, it’s also imperative to keep your workforce focused and content.
2. Be Flexible
People have kids they need to pick up from school, appointments, social engagements, hobbies… Providing a flexible work environment shows people that they are valued and respected.
3. Be Generous with Vacation Time
There is nothing more valuable than time. Incentivizing loyalty with aggressive vacation time increases gives people something tangible to work for. After 1 year, give them 10 days. After 3 years, 15 days. After 7 years, 20 days, etc.
4. Switch to Personal Days
You might already offer sick days, but those are now guaranteed by the government. Offer “personal days” instead. Allow people to take mental health days or a day off to go skiing.
5. Give Them a Break
Recognize when your team needs a break and make them take it. Do you have a huge annual sale? The day after would be a great time to close the store and give everyone a day off.
6. Feed Them
Everyone loves food and those snacks in the lunchroom are a nice treat. So are catered lunches. They are also a great way for people to bond. Sharing food is the most ancient human bonding activity.
7. Educate Them
If you can manage it, offering a forgivable loan for work-related education is a win-win. They get to further themselves and you get a highly educated, thankful employee.
8. Incentivize Referrals
Hiring the right people can be a big expense of time and money. At LLT (Catapult’s sister company), we offer a $5000 referral bonus to anyone who makes a fruitful referral. It shows how valuable we think good people are.
9. Play Games
Ping pong tournaments, Minute-to-win-it style games and staff excursions are easy (there’s probably someone in your organisation who would love to organise them) and a memorable way to build good culture.
10. Let Them Pick
Have your staff pick their own rewards. When team goals are set, they can come up with their own reward to share. Maybe it’s a staff lunch. Maybe it’s cash. Ask them!
11. Take a Break
It’s nice to celebrate as a team. Build in breaks to your monthly schedule. Celebrate all the birthdays for the month. Recognize important work milestones within the staff.
12. Strengthen Your Bonds with Clients
If you’re in a service-based industry, take the team to your client’s establishment. Or invite them to yours. Or, throw an appreciation event. Getting staff to mingle with clients is great for business, sure, but more importantly it puts purpose behind their work when they connect with the people they are helping.
That’s a robust list - you’ve got your work cut out for you! Of course, you don’t have to do all of these. The important thing to remember is that culture is cultivated by doing things, not just saying things. Put your money where your mouth is.