How to build a positive company culture

In today's business landscape, the importance of company culture continues to be a hot topic - but what exactly is a company culture, and how do we create a positive one?

In this article, we explore what we define as company culture, it’s importance, and strategies to cultivate a positive culture within your workplace.

What is company culture?

Culture is defined as the ideas, customs and social behaviour of particular people or society; when translated to an organisational context, it refers to the shared values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours of an organisation and how it operates. This encompasses the company's mission, vision, and values, as well as the way in which employees interact with one another, with customers, and their work. Put simply, company culture is often referred to as the ‘vibe’ or ‘feeling’ of an organisation, and is often understood as being ‘the way that things are done around here’.

The culture of a company can have a significant impact on employee attitudes, behaviours and how people feel at work. Positive cultures are typically characterised by transparency, collaboration and employee empowerment, whilst negative cultures are contrastingly characterised by low levels of trust and subsequent low employee morale, engagement and retention. Peter Drucker sums it up best when he says “culture eats strategy for breakfast”, meaning that no matter how great a business strategy is, this is likely to fail without a culture which encourages, empowers and motivates its workforce to implement it.

Why is company culture important?

A positive company culture is essential for several reasons, firstly, it helps attract and retain top talent. In today's competitive job market, job seekers are looking for more than just a salary and benefits package, they want to work for a company that shares their values and beliefs; this may include values such as work-life balance, family leave, inclusive working styles and trust or autonomy within their role. A strong culture that aligns with an individual's values and beliefs can be a significant factor in their decision to accept a job offer or stay with a company long-term. A positive culture that aligns with it's workforce can improve employee engagement, morale and motivation, leading to increased productivity, creativity, and subsequent innovation. When employees feel valued, supported, and connected to the company's mission and values, they are more likely to be engaged in their work and motivated to perform at their best.

Secondly, a positive culture is a key indicator in customer satisfaction. When employees feel valued and supported, studies show that they are more likely to provide excellent customer service, leading to increased customer loyalty and retention. All of these factors above have a direct impact on the company's reputation, making it more attractive to potential clients, partners and job seekers.

How can you cultivate a positive company culture within the workplace?

Building a positive company culture requires effort and commitment from both leadership and employees; culture is not a sole duty, but a collaborative responsibility of the whole workforce. Below we explore key strategies to help cultivate a positive culture within your organisation:

Define your values:

Company values are the foundation of a positive culture. Define your company's core values, and make sure that these are aligned with your mission, vision and day-to-day practices. These values provide a framework for decision-making and should guide behaviour of the wider team in a positive direction. At HubGem our values are:

Website graphics culture page (95 × 95px) (14) We simplify the complex and give our clients the confidence and skills they need to succeed

Website graphics culture page (95 × 95px) (14) We always provide a high-quality and efficient service

Website graphics culture page (95 × 95px) (14) We are open, friendly, genuine and understanding

Website graphics culture page (95 × 95px) (14) We provide a fun, flexible, inclusive and collaborative working environment in which our team and clients can thrive

Lead by example:

Leadership plays a crucial role in shaping company culture and sets the tone for the organisation. Leaders should model the behaviour that they expect from their team, including honesty, transparency, and accountability. Empathy and understanding is an essential leadership trait to promote a positive and trusting environment for their teams.

Encourage open communication:

A positive culture encourages open communication between employees and leadership whereby all voices are heard and encouraged in decision making. Employees should feel comfortable sharing their ideas, concerns and feedback with leadership without fear of repercussions. Encourage open communication through the provision of regular feedback opportunities, such as regular check-ins, anonymous surveys and employee forums.

Recognise and reward success:

Celebrate employee successes and recognise their contributions to the company. Rewards can be both monetary and non-monetary, such as team recognition, flexible working arrangements, gifts or professional development opportunities.

Invest in employee development:

Provide opportunities for employees to learn and grow, for example through training programs, mentorship opportunities and clear career pathways. This investment in employee development can significantly improve employee engagement, motivation and subsequent retention.

Foster a positive work environment:

Create a work environment that is inclusive, supportive, and respectful, challenging any behaviours which do not foster this. Promote work-life balance through offerings such as flexible working arrangements, compassionate leave, or additional annual leave, in addition to maintaining a genuine focus on employee well-being. Cultures are successful when health and wellbeing is not thought of as an ‘add on’ or ‘tick box’ exercise, and instead forms the foundation, working model and values of a company.

Emphasise diversity, equity, and inclusion:

A positive culture values diversity and promotes equity and inclusion in all company practices. Develop an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion policy and encourage team members’ input into this. Ensure that practices are reviewed regularly, and training is provided for all employees and leaders.

By cultivating a positive company culture, you create a space where your employees love what they do, enjoy coming to work and enable them to be their best selves whilst there.

How do HubGem support and maintain a positive company culture?

At HubGem we have a real focus on the culture and environment we provide for our team; we're nothing without our team, and our employees are our priority - just as much as our customers.

We want every team member to have the opportunity to grow in a positive working culture that offers both personal & professional development, whilst promoting an inclusive and collaborative working environment for all. Being a fully remote team, this is particularly paramount, and we achieve this through:

Clear career pathways for all employees with regular reviews and development conversations.
Dedicated 10 hours every month for personal development and training, for each team member. A HubGem Leadership Program to support progression and train our leaders to be empathetic and supportive people-managers.
Fully remote and flexible working model to support our team’s work-life balance.
Clear company values which inform our policies , day-to-day practices and professional reviews.
Appreciation and rewards; we encourage managers to reward team members for doing great work and ensure our team know that they are always appreciated.
In person days twice per year for team building, strategy and to share and gain ideas for business vision and growth – all team members have a voice and are involved in the direction of the company!
Health and Wellbeing Initiatives: MediGold Health Provider, NHS thrive app, Headspace subscription, wellbeing recommendations and fitness challenges.
Dedicated HR & Culture Manager to keep focus on positive culture and wellbeing, keeping this at the heart of our behaviours and practices.
Monthly team building calls, engaging Slack channels, internal newsletters dedicated to our team members, and member shout out’s every Friday to support our team morale, motivation, and collaboration.
Welcoming and encouraging feedback to improve our practices and streamline any areas of friction to support business growth.

At HubGem, we understand the importance of maintaining a positive culture and care immensely for our employee’s wellbeing, this helps us to ensure that both our team and clients feel fully supported and most importantly – happy at work!

Find out more about our culture here!