Company culture refers to the shared beliefs and behaviors that shape the way an organization operates. A strong company culture can help businesses attract and retain top talent, while a weak or toxic culture can drive employees away. In this article we discuss the basics and benefits of a positive company culture, and how you can use your digital signage system to help reinforce it.
What is company culture?
Company culture refers to the shared values, attitudes and practices that shape the behavior of individuals within an organization. It encompasses everything from the organization’s mission and goals to its daily operations, communication practices and social norms.
A strong company culture creates a sense of identity and purpose among employees and helps align their behavior with the organization’s values and goals. It can impact employee well-being, motivation and job satisfaction, as well as business performance and competitive advantage.
Company culture can vary widely depending on the organization’s size, industry and history. Some companies prioritize innovation, risk-taking and experimentation, while others prioritize stability, predictability and loyalty. Some cultures are more formal and structured, while others are more flexible and informal. And just because we use the word “company”, this isn’t restricted to offices. Schools, hospitals, retailers and all other types of organization have their own culture.
Regardless of the specific values and practices that define a company’s culture, it’s essential for leaders to cultivate a culture that aligns with the organization’s goals and values, while also supporting employee well-being and growth. A positive and motivating culture can help attract and retain top talent, increase employee engagement and drive business success.
Why does company culture matter?
A strong company culture that creates a sense of community is essential for employee engagement, well-being, retention, innovation and performance. Businesses that prioritize building a positive and supportive culture are likely to attract and retain top talent, drive business growth and achieve long-term success.
Moreover, a positive company culture can contribute to a sense of pride and identity among employees, which can increase their attachment to the organization. Employees who identify with the company’s values and mission are more likely to feel a sense of purpose in their work, leading to higher job satisfaction and reduced turnover.
In contrast, a negative or toxic company culture can drive employees away. A culture that fosters unhealthy competition, favoritism or disrespect can demotivate people and erode their sense of belonging and loyalty. Such negative cultures can also harm employee well-being and lead to increased stress, burnout and absenteeism. And in today’s online world, the odds of your toxic practices spilling into the real world are pretty high, so be warned.
It’s worth noting that creating a positive company culture isn’t just about offering employee perks or organizing team-building events. While these are important components, a strong culture requires a deeper commitment to shared values and a clear vision for the organization. It’s about creating an environment where employees feel safe, respected and empowered to contribute their best work and to push themselves to excel.
Also, it’s important to recognize that a company’s culture will evolve over time. As an organization grows and faces new challenges, its culture will need to adapt to meet the changing needs of its employees and customers.
What are the benefits of a positive company culture?
A positive and motivating culture can help foster a sense of community, pride and commitment among employees, leading to higher job satisfaction, lower turnover, and reduced recruitment and training costs. Leaders must be intentional in nurturing a positive culture that supports company objectives while remaining responsive to feedback from employees and other stakeholders.
Strong company culture creates a sense of community.
A strong company culture goes beyond simply having a set of values and beliefs that are shared by employees. It’s also about creating a sense of community where employees feel connected to each other and to the organization as a whole. This sense of community is vital for fostering engagement and commitment among employees.
When employees feel like they belong to a community, they’re more likely to be personally invested in the organization’s success. They understand the importance of their work and how it contributes to the larger goals of the company. A positive culture can help employees feel like they’re part of a team working towards a common purpose, which can boost morale and motivation, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction.
Company culture can impact employee well-being.
A strong sense of community can have a positive impact on employee well-being. A positive culture that promotes work-life balance and supports employee mental health can help reduce stress and burnout, which can have a lasting impact on productivity and job satisfaction.
Work can be a significant source of stress for many people, and a positive company culture can help alleviate some of that stress. When employees feel supported and valued, they’re less likely to experience burnout or other negative effects of workplace stressors, and are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work. This, in turn, can lead to better mental health and higher job satisfaction.
Company culture can impact employee retention.
A strong company culture and sense of community can also help companies retain talent. When employees feel connected to their colleagues and the organization, they’re more likely to want to stay with the company long-term.
A positive and motivating company culture can help foster a sense of loyalty and commitment among employees, which can reduce turnover, and save the organization money on recruitment and training costs. By contrast, a negative culture, especially one that goes public, can hinder recruitment efforts, as well as damage public relations and brand perception.
Company culture can foster innovation and creativity.
Another benefit of a strong positive company culture is that it can foster innovation and creativity. When employees feel empowered to share their ideas and take risks, they’re more likely to come up with new and innovative solutions to problems. They’re also more likely to feel engaged and invested in their work, which can lead to increased productivity and better overall performance.
A strong company culture that supports innovation and creativity can also help attract and retain top talent, especially among younger job seekers. By fostering a culture that encourages experimentation, exploration and risk-taking, businesses can also stay ahead of the curve, remaining agile and adaptable.
Company culture can improve employee performance.
Finally, a strong sense of community can impact employee performance. When employees feel valued and supported, they’re more likely to go above and beyond in their work. Also, when employees feel like they belong and are part of a team, they’re more likely to be motivated to work together and support each other. This can lead to higher levels of employee engagement and retention, which can have a significant impact on business performance.
A positive workplace culture that emphasizes community and teamwork can also create an environment in which employees feel appreciated and recognized for their contributions. When employees feel valued and supported by their colleagues and managers, they’re more likely to be happy and satisfied in their jobs, which in turn leads to improved job performance. This can lead to higher levels of productivity and better business outcomes, ultimately contributing to the success of the company.
How can digital signage help reinforce company culture?
Organizations can use digital signage in a variety of ways to improve and reinforce community and values. By sharing visual communication on topics such as company culture, DEI, well-being and work-life balance, businesses can improve employee engagement, foster a sense of belonging and ultimately drive better business outcomes. Here are just a few ways you can use digital signage to reinforce your company culture:
Reinforce company culture and values
Digital signage can be a simple and effective way to share information about a company’s culture and values. For example, an organization can display its mission statement, core values and employee benefits in simple, eye-catching designs. It can also show data like event schedules, countdowns and progress to goals to keep everyone updated and motivated. If a company is involved in community outreach, or has broader social programs like sustainability initiatives, you can show info about those plans on screens. By sharing this information with employees, you can help build a strong sense of community and foster a shared understanding of what your organization stands for.
Promote diversity, equity and inclusion
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are key concepts that have gained significant attention in recent years, particularly in the context of workplace culture. In fact, there are a number of variants of the acronym, including D&I (diversity & inclusion), DIB (diversity, inclusion and belonging & access) and JEDI (justice, equity, diversity and inclusion). It’s worth noting that while “equality” refers to everyone having the same access to opportunities and resources, “equity” also takes into account that some groups or individuals have historically faced specific obstacles. They are similar and related but not exactly the same thing in practice.
Digital signage can be a powerful tool for promoting DEI and other initiatives in an organization. By using digital displays to communicate messages and celebrate achievements, companies can help to build awareness and support for DEI programs among their employees. For example, digital signage could be used to display diversity and inclusion metrics or to spotlight employee success stories from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, digital displays can be used to communicate updates on DEI initiatives or to promote events that celebrate diversity. Messages can also help everyone understand why the organization is promoting these policies, and how these initiatives fit into the overall company culture.
Boost employee motivation and recognition
When a company creates a culture that recognizes and rewards employees who go above and beyond, employees are more likely to be motivated to perform at a high level. Businesses can use digital signs as an effective tool for employee motivation and recognition in several ways: celebrate employee achievements, such as reaching sales goals, completing projects or winning awards; share positive feedback from customers, clients or colleagues about individuals or teams; and show inspirational quotes or trivia that inspire employees, adding a little fun into their day.
Bolster mental health and well-being
Employee mental health and well-being are critical factors that can impact productivity, job satisfaction and overall job performance. Digital signage can be used to promote mental health and well-being initiatives, such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), mindfulness training and other resources. You can also show things to promote physical well-being like exercise tips, healthy recipes and desk stretches. By promoting these initiatives on digital signs, businesses can help to reduce the stigma around mental health and encourage employees to take advantage of available resources to feel healthier and happier.
Support work-life balance
In today’s fast-paced business environment, work-life balance has become increasingly important to many employees. Digital signs can be used to promote work-life balance policies and encourage employees to take advantage of flexible work arrangements. For example, a company might use screens to highlight its telecommuting and PTO policies, or to remind employees to take breaks and practice self-care. Employees will always respond positively to a workplace that cares about them outside of work.
These are just a few examples of how your digital signs can build and bolster your company culture. A lot of the content will depend on what type of culture you have, along with your communication style and platforms. Regardless of what you put up on screens, always ask yourself if a message will help or harm your culture.
Company culture matters to employees for a variety of reasons. It can impact their sense of belonging and community, their engagement and performance, their creativity and innovation, and their overall well-being. As such, organizations that prioritize building a positive and supportive culture are likely to attract and retain top talent, achieve long-term success and most importantly, make employees’ lives better.