Small businesses are the backbone of our economy.

They are responsible for innovation, jobs, and growth in our country. They are hands-on with their communities and are a living example of America’s free enterprise system. Their contribution to the economy is invaluable.

To succeed in today’s economy, they need to focus on the human side of their business. Small businesses need to focus on strategies that allow them to be more agile and fast-paced, fostering creativity and innovation among their employees so they can grow with the changing marketplace. Here we will discuss company culture and why you need to incorporate a positive work environment into your business.

What is Company Culture?

Company culture defines the character, values, and behaviors of an organization. The common values and beliefs are expressed in how employees interact with each other and customers. Culture can be defined as the “way we do things around here.” It is an essential element of any successful small business.

The workplace is the foundation of company culture. Teamwork and positive interaction are what make the workplace a family. The attitude of employees can be the deciding factor on whether or not a small business will succeed. The culture of a small business needs to encourage innovation and freedom of expression.

The Importance of a Good Culture

Work environments have changed dramatically over the last few decades. We have moved from a production-based labor model to one that is service-focused and driven by customer needs. With this change comes an even greater emphasis on managing employees effectively.

In a small business, employees usually make up the face of the company. A positive work environment leads to greater satisfaction for both parties, ultimately improving productivity and encouraging creativity. Customers can see if your company does not have a healthy culture. Foster the growth of your employees to improve overall morale and product quality.

How to Build a Positive Workplace

A high-performing, thriving culture won’t just happen. You need to develop a plan to improve your company’s overall culture. The first step is establishing goals for success. Communicate an overarching theme or purpose. This can be as simple as making it clear to the staff what your core values are, who you genuinely want to be and why. Involve your team in this process and involve them in the decision-making. Positive company culture begins with their input.

Use surveys to gather employees’ reactions. When conducting surveys or focus groups, ask employees how they feel about the workplace and what they want to see change. The comments can help you identify the issues that need to be addressed and the areas where you can keep things as they are.

Incorporate new ideas into your company culture. Sometimes it is small, subtle changes that make a big difference. New ideas can come from anywhere. Listen to customers and staff. Look beyond your industry for better ways of doing things. Regarding business practices, what works once may not work again.

Offer creative and flexible work hours. This will alleviate stress and allow them to do their best work. Allow employees time off or on-call, if necessary, in emergency or illness. Providing a comfortable workplace is key to an employee’s health and productivity.

Share your business. This will help your employees know that you are approachable and reliable. It also allows them to develop a personal relationship with you and inspires trust in the business. If they feel connected to the company, they will be more willing to do their best to represent it well.

Why Care About Company Culture?

Depending on the type of business you have, your employees are going to feel a certain way about their work environment. Employees want to feel like their work environment is a healthy place for them to be. They want to know that their boss cares about them and that they can trust them. If you take the time to build a positive working environment, your employees will be more productive and happier at work. This, in turn, will attract more customers.

If you have the right mindset and make the right decisions, you can develop a loyal, productive team of employees that will bring value to your business. They will be your greatest asset at any point in time. By working together, everyone can achieve their goals and reach new heights.