The Importance of Company Culture: 8 Ways Corporate Culture Influences Success

There are few certainties in the business world. But a good culture leading to success is one of them. In fact, 94% of business executives believe maintaining good company culture is critical for success.

So let’s take a closer look at the importance of company culture. How does it impact your employees and your business as a whole? 

3 reasons company culture is more important than ever

In recent years, the need for a strong organizational culture in business has become highly significant, and many workplaces are actively changing their organizational culture to keep up. Here’s why. 

1. The influence of COVID-19 on corporate culture

The pandemic had one of the biggest and fastest impacts on recent changes in workplace culture.

As countries locked down and travel slowed around the world, millions of people started working from home. As a result, many things that would’ve been done using conventional methods became impossible.

This tested the “way we do things around here” mentality, as workplaces needed to put new plans in place for communication and to keep the culture of the business intact.

According to PwC’s recent report, “It’s time to reimagine where and how work will get done,” most companies are ready to adopt a hybrid work model where employees split time between working remotely and in the office.

Hybrid and remote work has increased the effort and attention required to ensure that your culture remains strong and connected no matter how your employees are working. 

2. The Great Resignation

Another aspect that had a great impact on organizational culture as we know it, even from before the pandemic, is the ongoing Great Resignation.

More people than ever are looking for and seem ready for a new job. Workplaces with a strong company culture showed higher retention than others.

3. It’s better for business

A strong company culture is made up of strong connections between all employees. It’s a more collaborative and more productive workplace so it stands to reason that it would be a more successful one, too. 

How your organization’s culture impacts business success

Here’s a breakdown of the influence company culture has on employees and the broader organization. 

1. Culture shapes your company’s identity

Ultimately, your company should value employees above all because it is people that define your culture. And that chorus of employee voices helps create the identity of your company. It influences how you conduct business and how you react to issues. It influences how the world sees you. That sounds like a lot because it is. And it all gets back to a strong company culture. 

2. Culture improves your employees’ retention rates

Companies with positive company cultures have maintained the stability of their workforce at a relatively higher rate when compared to competitors with weak company cultures. That is especially important as nearly 40% of workers are looking for a new role. 

For instance, one of the core elements of organizational culture is to clearly explain the roles and responsibilities of every employee in your team. 

See also: 9 different types of organizational cultures you can model for success

3. Culture reduces turnover rates

There are many reasons employees may decide to quit their job, and a poor organizational culture in the workplace is one of them.

The same report also found that employees who feel that they’re not appreciated for their achievements are 21.5% more likely to leave their jobs.

4. Culture improves the employee experience

The company culture shapes employee motivation and can greatly impact their performance and willingness to give their best.

In fact, keeping your employees engaged is found to increase their performance and productivity by up to 12%, especially if they feel appreciated at work. Luckily, such an essential metric is easily maintained using third-party tools.

5. Culture helps attract talent to your workforce

If you’re looking to bring new talent into your workplace, an appealing company culture can be extremely attractive to prospective employees. In fact, more than half of workers won’t even consider a workplace if it doesn’t reflect their values. 

Around 32% of job seekers might consider a job with lower pay if the employer had positive company culture elements, such as flexibility and a nontoxic work environment.

6. Culture helps your company stay true to its core values

A solid company culture is built on a strong foundation of core values.

When you’re able to foster a workforce that is aligned with your mission and goals, it keeps employees motivated and engaged. They’re also more likely to find meaning in their work. 

7. Culture improves the onboarding process and its success rates

Hiring new talent isn’t the end of the line when it comes to recruitment. Your new hires will need to go through an onboarding process to incorporate themselves into your company culture.

8. Culture allows you to maintain an inclusive work environment

The future of work, among many things, is inclusive. A company culture that embraces all the unique differences of their employees and opens up paths for everyone to participate will create strong relationships, more psychological safety, and, yes, a stronger company culture. 

Inclusivity, along with diversity and equity, is paramount to workplace culture. If it isn’t already, it should be a company value and goal to create an inclusive workplace. It’s not just the right thing to do, it’s what employees want you to do. 

FAQs

Conclusion

Company culture is critical to keeping employees engaged and happy. It leads to more collaboration and thus more productivity. It shapes your company’s identity and has a direct impact on hiring. In short, it’s everything. 

As a leader, it’s important to understand the state of your company culture from time to time. Surveying your employees is one of the best ways to measure it.