Creating a great company culture

Your business is developing, or perhaps you’re a start up and don’t have staff yet. What kind of culture and environment are you going to create when you do take on team members? There is plenty written about great workspaces and enviable company cultures, think Naomi Simson who based her business and product offering on reward and play with Red Balloon. I remember visiting the new Google offices a few years back with my previous business and lunching in the purpose built canteen with freshly baked everything. They had a time out rooms with Foosball tables, individual video games stations, bean bags, ipods, it was like a play-land.

With all of the evidence of fabulous places to work, what does it take to create that culture? For many of us in small business we reach out to take on staff as we are bulging at the seams with the workload, we have limited budgets and not in a position just yet to pay for team building days, or jaunts on the play-station. But what about management and organisational structure?

Online music company, Soundcloud has a flat management structure, meaning that teams self manage and collaborate on all projects, deciding together what has to be achieved. The company provides platforms for continuous learning and to encourage a collaborative mindset.

Super fast growth online retailers such as Zappos and Modcloth have embraced socialisation as a vital part of their culture due to it being such a big part of the way they interact with customers etc, They have group training sessions, Potluck meals brought in by staff, clothing exchanges, smoothie and cappuccino bars to encourage social interaction and teamwork.

For small businesses and start up companies, I think it important to decide what kind of culture you want for your business and team.  Think about what it was like when you worked somewhere, what motivated you delighted you and what nourished your creativity or work flow and what didn’t?

I have an open door, open book policy with my little team. I want them to understand where we are at and where we are headed. I want them to be in the picture and not be wondering or guessing, so they can ask me anything.  I know of some businesses who have a treat day and they rotate someone bringing in baked treats, a highlight for their staff for the week.

One thing is certain, its not a set and forget item. Like relationships, cultures need to be nurtured along with feedback and results from the team, we cant assume that it will be a one time task. To make a great culture and enviable place to work requires focus, so we must be prepared to put the work in to create it.

Would love to know your ideas about how you do your culture?

Andy xx