A vibrant company culture brings out the best in employees, and as an internal communicator, you have the skills and tools to make it a formidable asset for your organisation. Let's dive into how you can positively nurture organisational culture, ensuring everyone is engaged, enthused, and moving in the same direction.

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What does company culture really mean?

Organisational culture, corporate culture, workplace culture – different names, but essentially the same essence. At the Engage Group, we describe organisational culture as ‘'the way things are done around here.’’

A positive culture, characterised by trust, respect, pride, belonging, fairness, and transparency, leads to more engaged employees, better business outcomes, and increased success in implementing strategies. These qualities need time and the right environment to develop and must be continually nurtured and reinforced through internal communication.

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Make conversation the norm

A lively and honest two-way exchange of information promotes a culture of openness and inclusivity, where people feel valued for their input and opinions. Setting up forums and online channels to share ideas, ask for feedback, and gather honest views puts employees at the heart of decision-making, giving them a psychological stake in what happens next.

Showing enthusiasm to learn from employees with varied experiences makes them feel more valued, motivated, and loyal. Using language that promotes "we "rather than "us and them" is a clear sign that everyone is in it together, fostering a strong sense of community.

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Embedding values

Respect, honesty, collaboration, sustainability – no matter what your organisational values are, putting them at the heart of your communications strategy is key. This isn’t just about weaving your core values into your communications; it's about communicating in a way that brings your values to life.

Collaboration: Inviting input or requesting volunteers through your comms illustrates collaboration in action.

Honesty: Sharing news – not just the good stuff – and being clear about the why, what, when, and how demonstrates openness and honesty.

Sustainability: Highlighting how your printed communications are created on recycled paper shows your commitment to sustainability.

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Keep your finger on the pulse

Pulse surveys are great for testing the effectiveness of your employee engagement efforts. These quick polls offer immediate feedback and allow you to surface and respond to potential issues before they become major problems.

Straight forward questions about how people feel about communication at your company, whether they feel listened to, and if they understand the company values or purpose, provide priceless insights. Sharing the results and acting on the feedback reinforces qualities like openness, fairness, and inclusion.

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Embrace technology

Look at your intranet platform, information portal, collaboration software, and mobile apps for colleagues who are not based in one location. A mobile app can be a powerful way to keep people connected with your company’s values, activities, and news. A social messaging platform ensures everyone gets the same information in the same way, building a culture of inclusivity and a sense of community.

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Engage the senses

Taking a multi-sensory approach to your comms ensures everyone can connect to your organisation’s strategy, purpose, and goals in a way that resonates with them. Consider conveying complex information using both text and graphics. Host activities to help people explore new information in a tactile way, like values cards or sticker boards.

Encourage employees to share ideas through various means: typing into online chats, speaking, presenting slides and diagrams, voting in polls and surveys, or simply choosing visual symbols to convey their thoughts and feelings.

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Measure your success

Think like an accountant and set target numbers. How many people do you need to get involved with an engagement event? What open or click rate signifies a successful email bulletin? How many participants make a focus group representative? Plan how you’ll measure these KPIs for quantitative data.

Surveys and polls, discussions, forums, and comms champs can help you gather qualitative feedback. This will show you where your comms are effective and where you need to adapt.

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Conclusion

A strong and positive culture is built on many factors, and as internal communicators, we have the tools and skills to help it thrive.

The most successful organisations embrace positive cultures, with employees who live and breathe the company’s values. As communicators, we have the power and the know-how to help make that happen. Isn’t it great to think that we can shape such an impactful part of our organisations?  

If you need help shaping your company culture, say hello@engagegroup.me

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