A growing business is one that is expanding in one or more ways. As your business grows, your strategy needs to evolve to suit your changed circumstances. For example, your focus is likely to change from winning new customers to building profitable relationships and maximizing growth with existing customers.
While companies grow especially small-sized ones, their biggest challenge is how to maintain company culture. It is no secret that companies with a well-defined and prevalent culture have advantages over those that do not.
Rapid expansion can make business owners feel like the spirit and values of the company have been lost because it can be hard to maintain the company culture that they have been nurturing all along.
So, what can you do to maintain your company culture during growth?
1. Careful hiring
One of the best ways to preserve company culture is to hire carefully. Using a team approach when hiring can ensure that candidates are not just qualified but will also work well with their peers. Be sure that your new hires aren’t just qualified but are also a good fit. Make sure they fit in with the people they will be working with on a daily basis.
2. Reinforce your mission
Once you’ve identified your company’s mission, it’s important that they stay top of mind. Teach them during the hiring process and reinforce them during meetings, gatherings, and even visually on the walls of your office.
3. Talk about your values
During the hiring process, be sure that your company culture and values are front and center, this helps your candidates make their decision, too. But don’t stop talking about your company values and culture during the interview process. Be sure that company onboarding practices set clear expectations so that those joining the team understand your culture from the beginning. Ask interview questions based on your company values.
4. Develop and maintain traditions
When your company consists of just a handful of employees, small traditions tend to develop but might get lost as you grow. Don’t let this happen. Be sure to continue your traditions no matter how big your business gets.
5. Recognize employee achievements and contributions
Recognizing achievements and contributions tells an employee that they are important and valued. This should always be a part of your company culture. It helps foster loyalty and satisfaction among employees. Companies can celebrate milestones and achievements with a simple company-wide email or go as far as hosting a lunch or happy hour. Recognize birthdays, anniversaries, and significant milestones in your people’s lives. I make it practice doing small things on a more regular basis than big rewards. People, in general, need recognition and to feel appreciated.
6. Make training accessible
While important in every industry, accessible training in construction can be the difference between a happy, healthy employee and one who is not. With employees spread between offices and job sites, it’s important to come up with creative solutions that allow everyone to participate in training.
7. Open communication
Open communication between all levels of the company is crucial. This can manifest in several ways. Have managers check in with employees several times throughout the year regarding goals and performance. This improves and encourages honest and open communication and ensures that there is an opportunity to discuss any concerns. This gives employees a chance to have one-on-one time with management and to take stock of their work.
It is also beneficial to have informal lines of communication, such as monthly newsletters, that allow staff to remain updated on company happenings and stay in touch with other employees.
8. Connect Outside of Work
Connecting with coworkers outside of the office is a great way to build comradery. Sports teams, social groups, and community service allow employees to get to know each other on a personal level and foster the collaboration, teamwork, and sense of community that makes a company thrive.
A strong culture is essential to any company’s longevity. Taking the right steps during periods of growth will ensure that your company’s culture stays intact in the long run.
