To keep any startup running, it is important to pay special attention to the workplace culture. This way, you can reduce employee turnover and attract the right talents to your organization. But don’t just take our word for it. What do the numbers actually say?
Well, according to a study carried out by Jovite, up to 88% of job seekers actually consider workplace culture as a key factor when putting in job applications. This explains why tons of corporate organizations invest heavily in effective workplace culture to keep employees happy and sated.
But how can you pull this off? Let’s get down to brass tacks, shall we?
Why Is Workplace Culture so Important?
Although we’ve already established the importance of startup culture, we must address the main benefits of having an effective startup culture in place. Here are some of them:
It keeps employees productive
Several studies have proven that employees tend to be more productive at work when they are happy and comfortable. This means that when you set the right working conditions and environment in place, your startup will yield higher output and of course, higher revenue.
Lowers turnover rates
Here’s one secret most startup founders still don’t know: high employee turnover rates are the biggest threats to any organization. Wondering why? Well, it’s simple. This phenomenon has a domino effect. When more employees leave, you aren’t just losing talent. Rather, you will be watching other important structures getting knocked down.
For instance, other employees may experience a significant loss of morale and belief in the company’s culture. On the other hand, once you have the right startup culture, employees would be less willing to leave and of course, all the dominoes will stay right in place.
Boosts motivation and employee loyalty
Winning your employees’ hearts and loyalty isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do. However, creating a positive work environment for them to thrive in is the easiest way to keep them loyal to your brand. This way, they won’t be tempted to switch to competitors or go out in search of greener pastures. Remember: if the pastures are vividly green at your company, there’d be no need to search for even greener ones.
Thus, whether you’re running a tech startup or an educational company that focuses on learning mathematics for kids, you certainly need to win your employees’ loyalty.
How to Develop the Right Startup Culture
Now that we’ve gotten the basics out of the way, it’s time to address the main issue. How can you develop the right startup culture? Here’s how:
Hire the right people
While it’s important to ensure that your startup culture is right for your employees, it’s important to note that not every employee will fit right into your workplace culture. As such, during each recruitment process, you’ll need to get picky about the talents you hire.
Big corp companies like Amazon aren’t only interested in candidates’ talents but instead probe further, testing their suitability by using the company’s leadership principles as a basis for judgement. This will help them to hire candidates that will not only get the job done but also fit into and assimilate the organization’s workplace culture.
If you’re trying to develop the right startup culture, it is ideal to borrow a page from Amazon’s books during the hiring process. You could also make candidates take a personality test to see if they’re the right personality fit for the role and company.
Use positive reinforcement often
Although positive reinforcement is often used in the context of children and pets, it’s an effective strategy to utilize in your workplace. Employees typically feel more comfortable working in an environment where their efforts are appreciated and recognized. If they feel underappreciated, the workplace becomes toxic for them and they might jump ship.
Thus, try as much as possible to offer praise consistently. If a team member hits a milestone or delivers a daunting project, recognize their efforts and praise them for it. Consequently, they’ll become more willing to exceed expectations and deliver better output.
Switch up your normal work routine every now and then
Working a 9-5 certainly has its perks for most people but over time, it can get boring and exhausting for even the most dedicated employee. To help them cope with the occasional mental and physical fatigue, you can surprise your team members every once in a while. Take them on a surprise work lunch to help them unwind and feel good.
Alternatively, you could even ask them to work from home for a day or a week to help ease the stress of commuting. You’ll definitely make them happy. If you integrate a scheduling solution, you can coordinate your team easily and allow them more flexibility.
Don’t micromanage
You see a team member working on a project. Every five minutes, you hover over their desk, offering suggestions, and pointing out obvious mistakes that they’ve made so far. Does this sound like you? Let’s pause and reflect for a minute.
Although it can be tempting to step in and ensure that your employees are doing everything correctly, it’s best to simply trust their abilities and leave them to it. Micromanaging your employees would only put them on edge and make them begin to doubt their abilities.
On the other hand, when you trust them to get the job done, they’ll be more confident, relaxed, and productive. This simple act of trust will also give them further room for improvement and personal development.
Final Thoughts
As a startup founder, it’s important to ensure that you have the right startup culture in place for your employees. Far too many startups flounder because of a toxic workplace culture. However, the tips outlined above will help you ensure that your organization is a great place to work for all employees regardless of their status, gender, race, or orientation.
