Why do you need to build a business “culture?” The culture of your business indicates the actions, behaviors and attitudes of your team.
It’s the set of guidelines that will dictate difficult decisions. Especially if your business expands, you won’t be able to be there for every single choice that needs to be made.
And at crunch time, you want to be able to trust your employees to make decisions that reflect your business’ values.
1. Be Deliberate
It might sound easier and more organic just to let things happen on their own, but it’s important to be deliberate.
As in any relationship, communication is key among your colleagues and employees.
There shouldn’t be a question about expectations, and what seems obvious to you isn’t necessarily obvious to everybody else.
Use those effective communication practices and voice clearly what is important to you.
2. Determine What You Want
Whatever you’d like to accomplish with your company will be the foundation of your culture.
This step is where you’ll begin to find meaning. Think about your vision and ask yourself a few questions.
- What do you stand and strive for, for yourself and your company, for the people on your team?
- Can you put your vision into words?
- How do you want to do things, and why?
Don’t just think about what you’re doing or selling.
3. Find Meaning
Put your company’s objectives in writing. It can be several sentences long, but focus on what is most important.
Be specific enough to dictate the value system you want members to bring to the team. And the attitudes they should keep when making decisions.
You want your employees to want to work for you. What kind of culture will make that a reality?
Create a culture you can get behind. You’ve taken the time to get to know yourself, and now you can bring that into your company culture.
If you begin from the values you hold and the relationships you want to keep, your team members can feel connected to you and the meaning you bring to the company.
4. Carefully Consider Your Team
You know yourself, so you know what other attributes your company needs. Find people who will complement your abilities with their own.
Every individual has a set of strengths and weaknesses. You want your employees to be able to get behind the purpose of your business.
But you don’t want them to all be miniature versions of yourself. You need different personalities for different parts of the job.
This reason is why having a culture based on meaning is so important. Meaning should be the uniting factor of every member of your team.
This item encompasses attitudes, values and character. Your team members are the backbone. They have to operate in tandem and rely on one another, to know that there is a common purpose, and everyone is behind it.
Micromanaging will eventually leave you burned out. With a solid culture based on meaning, you won’t have to make every decision.
You only need to make sure your employees understanding the culture clearly to begin to build a successful business. A solid work culture will help you with employee retention and success.