Company culture is the personality of a company. It defines the environment in which employees’ work, allowing a team to either excel, or to be suppressed; as well as individual team members to thrive in their passion area or have their growth impeded.
Company culture includes a variety of elements, including work environment, company mission, value, ethics, expectations, and goals.
Google is an example of an organization with a clear company culture. According to the website, the company still feels like a small company with an informal atmosphere, even though it has grown tremendously: “At lunchtime, almost everyone eats in the office café, sitting at whatever table has an opening and enjoying conversations with Googlers from different teams… Every employee is a hands-on contributor… no one hesitates to pose questions directly to Larry or Sergey in our weekly all-hands (“TGIF”) meetings – or spike a volleyball across the net at a corporate officer.”
Why Does Company Culture Matter?
Company culture is important to employees, because workers are more likely to enjoy their time in the workplace when they fit in with the company culture. Employees tend to enjoy work when their needs and values are consistent with those in the workplace. They tend to develop better relationships with co-workers and are even more productive.
On the other hand, if you work for a company where you don’t fit in with the company culture, you are likely to take far less pleasure out of your work.
Company culture is important to employers too because workers who fit in with the company culture are likely to not only be happier, but more productive. When an employee fits in with the culture, they are also likely to want to work for that company for longer. Thus, employers can improve productivity and employee retention through a strong office culture.
Make Sure There’s a Good Fit
Jobs aren’t just a paycheck, and, given the amount of time spent working, it’s important for both the employee and the employer to make sure there’s a good fit. If you’re not going to be happy working at a job or for a company, it may be better to pass on the opportunity and move on. Before you accept a job you’re not sure about, take some to ensure it’s a good fit for your skill set, experience, personality, and goals for the future. (source: Alison Doyle)
Company Culture at The Blue Room
We did a quick survey about our Company’s culture, and these are the words that emerged: family, passion, freedom, belonging, invested, self-growth, creative, people orientated, flourishing, warm hearted, collaboration, love, dynamic, dedicated, together, above and beyond, personal, abuzz.
If you do not develop your corporate culture it will develop itself. Corporate culture doesn’t happen by accident, and if it does, you’re taking a risk.
Monique Winston: CEO, Optima Lender Services
Written by Andreana Holmes: Founding Member & CEO, The Blue Room