Every organization wants to attract and retain top talent. Not too long ago, throwing around big salaries and benefits packages might have been enough—but today’s talent isn’t motivated by money alone. In fact, many skilled professionals are willing to work for less, if the company has a great culture.
What is culture?
Workplace culture is more than a buzzword. There is no precise definition—instead, “culture” is a catch-all term for all the things that affect your organization’s perceived environment.
You might look at culture as a set of unspoken guidelines that your team follows not because they’re written in an employee handbook, but because they’ve arose through collective observations of what goes on in the workplace—such as whether new ideas are welcome or frowned on, and who actually gets credited for accomplishments.
Why culture matters
A poor culture can have a seriously adverse effect on your business, including your bottom line. If your employees dread coming to work every day, their satisfaction and their productivity is going to plummet. Your current top talent is likely to seek friendlier, more open pastures, which will bring down the remaining team even more.
On the other hand, a thriving workplace culture makes for happy, productive employees and a business that’s moving faster than the competition. Workplace environments with great culture experience lowered stress and increased creativity across the board.
Culture and talent
When you have a positive culture at your organization, it’s easy to recognize, even from an outsider’s point of view. No one wants to work in a cubicle farm—but a workplace with lots of open space, interesting conversation, and happy employees makes an instant good impression.
You can use your workplace culture as a recruiting tool to attract top talent. Highlight the strong points of your culture in your job descriptions and recruiting material, and be sure to show interviewing candidates around when they come in, so they can experience the culture firsthand.
Tips for cultivating culture
If your organization is struggling with culture issues, or you’re not sure how to get started, here are some things you can do to reinforce a positive workplace environment:
- Make sure everyone on your team understands your company’s values and mission, and (hopefully) agrees with them
- Encourage openness and transparency: ask for and pay attention to feedback, and discuss things like policy changes prior to implementation, instead of announcing them after the fact
- Ensure that achievements are recognized and rewarded, and demonstrate your appreciation on a regular basis—a simple “thanks for the great work” can go a long way
- Have clear goals for individuals, departments, and companies, and offer regular training to avoid the perception of a dead-end workplace
An organization with excellent culture is one that will naturally attract and retain the best talent. Don’t overlook this important aspect of your business—make culture a priority, and the results will speak for themselves. If you are looking for employment agencies in Silicon Valley, contact us today.