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10 Unique Ways to Support Your Company Culture Through Human Connection

Human Connection Company Culture

The topic of human connection is more important now than ever.

Many of us are returning to the office. It’s been a while … Some of you might be thinking, “How the heck do we do this again?!”

Harvard Business Review writes that returning to in-person work can be tricky. “Whether you’re excited or anxious about re-entry, you can expect being around other people to require a lot of energy that you probably haven’t had to expend in a while. Why is in-person interaction such a drain, and how can you muster up the energy to reconnect with your colleagues?”

Harvard Business Review recommends getting back to the basics of human connection.

In this blog post, we’ll detail 10 unique ways to support your company culture through human connection during this time.

What is Company Culture?

First things first, what is company culture, and why is it important?

Company culture is defined as “how you do what you do in the workplace.” This includes both the formal systems and the informal behaviors in the workplace, as well as:

  • Work environment
  • Company mission
  • Leadership style
  • Values
  • Ethics
  • Expectations
  • Goals
  • And more

Typically, company culture is something you can feel (even as an outsider!).

10 Unique Ways to Support Your Company Culture through Human Connection

There are many ways you can improve your company culture. Prioritizing human connection is one of them. Here are 10 unique ways you can support your company culture through human connection.

  1. Kick Off the Week with Some Positivity

Chances are your company has some sort of touch-base at the beginning of the week—whether remote or in-person. 

A great way to foster human connection is to kick off the week by sharing a “personal win” and a “professional win.”

For example, maybe one of your employees went skiing over the weekend and didn’t break a bone. That’s their personal win! Their professional win could be something along the lines of meeting an important deadline or managing their time well during the previous week.

Kicking off the week with some positives helps team members get to know one another on a more personal level and start their week on a positive note. It’s also a great way to share and celebrate accomplishments!

  1. One-on-Ones

Prioritizing one-on-one meetings helps build rapport between leadership and employees. During these one-on-ones, whether bi-weekly, monthly, or quarterly, you have the opportunity to learn more about your employees’ goals and experiences within your business.

It demonstrates to your employees that you care.

  1. Get Your Team Out of the Office

If distance allows it, get your employees out of the office. Take them out for a walk, coffee, drinks, the options are endless.

Fresh air and a change of scenery can help build trust; compared to having conversations in the same old meeting rooms.

  1. Encourage Conversations about Goals

Ask your team members about some of their personal and professional goals. What are their challenges and desires? How can you support them?

Some examples might include gaining the courage to speak up more in meetings or to better prioritize their time. Keep these conversations honest and light.

  1. Celebrate the Wins (Big and Small!)

In an article published by Forbes, they discuss the importance of creating a company culture where employees come together to connect and celebrate the hard work that’s been done.

It doesn’t matter if the win was big or small—it deserves acknowledgment!

  1. Ask a Community Question

Maria Leggett of Forbes recommends asking a ‘community question’ each week.

“Ask about a favorite vacation place, a most memorable trip, or even a funny story that happened at work. Describing the craziest call you ever received at the office can generate great responses and tell you a lot about how people handle the unexpected.”

This is a fun, easy way to foster human connection, thus improving your company culture!

  1. Practice Listening

Like, really listening … Active listening is a skill that, surprisingly, many of us don’t naturally have. When you’re in conversation with someone, it can be easy to get caught up in your own thoughts and distractions, thinking of what you’re going to say next—especially if you’re tense.

Active listening is a skill that can go a long way in creating authentic human connections. When you practice active listening, you’ll be able to hear what is actually being said, as opposed to misunderstanding, anticipating, or assuming.

  1. Encourage Sharing

Not quite like show and tell, but almost! As an employer, you should encourage sharing personal stories and interests. Consider talking about a new trending show on Netflix, who you’re rooting for in the Super Bowl, or an upcoming vacation at your next meeting.

This will help get to know your team members on a personal level.

  1. Polish Your Onboarding Process

The onboarding process can be overwhelming—which is why it’s important for executives to take the time to meet with new hires across the business, regardless of department.

This is especially important in the era of remote work, where employees can feel a bit more isolated than in-person.

  1. Practice Empathy

The tenth and final tip is to practice empathy! As the old adage goes, “Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes.” This adage stands as a reminder to practice empathy.

When in conversation with someone, consider where they might be coming from. What is their perspective? How is it different from yours? How can you validate their experience?

Harvard Business Review recommends you “consider what barriers you may face in trying to understand the other person, like assumptions you may be making about them, what you need from them, or your own reactivity…. [By] cultivating a level of self and other-focused compassion, [this] can aid in navigating conflict or disagreements more gracefully.”

A Final Word

There are many ways you can increase human connection within your business to bolster company culture; above are simply 10 ways. Interested in learning more? Read on to learn more about how learning and development (L&D) can transform your company culture.

How to ensure successful culture integration post-M&A

How to ensure successful culture integration post-M&A

The M&A process is an exciting but lengthy one. It can last anywhere from months to years depending on the size of the company involved. During this period, the merging of two company cultures can create culture shock, damaging productivity, profitability, and morale. Let’s talk about how to avoid that!

Entering into a merger can be challenging for both companies. Whatever the reasoning behind the merger, one thing is for sure—change is coming. According to Harvard Business Review, between 70 and 90% of mergers and acquisitions fail. A culture clash is often to blame for this extremely high number. 

Due Diligence

Preparing for a merger or acquisition requires time and planning. A large portion of this time is dedicated to conducting due diligence. Not sure how to go about your due diligence? Check out our due diligence checklist to ensure a smooth transition during an M&A. 

Due diligence happens during the process of an M&A — But what about the potential culture shock post-M&A? 

Leadership can help bring together the best of both cultures.

Employee engagement doesn’t have to suffer when you merge two different cultures. The leaders of both companies hold the power to protect employees and help them successfully share their cultures. One strategy is a weekly leadership meeting in which everyone steps back from the chaos of the merger to highlight the advantages of both cultures and strategize on ways to bring the best of each culture together to create a new, optimized company culture that works for everyone.

Creating a successful company culture requires an investment from everyone on the team and is essential to retaining employees and keeping them engaged in their work. Here’s how to get started.

Redefine your company’s core values.

Your culture and your purpose are defined by your core values. Merging two different sets of core values can be challenging. In many cases, the acquiring company attempts to keep its core values and share them with the other team.  This frequently results in a sense of disenfranchisement by the acquired company’s employees and results in reduced morale, productivity, and in turn, profitability.  A more egalitarian approach incorporates a process in which the leadership, often facilitated by an outside coach or consulting team, finds the best elements of both sets of principles and works to merge them, creating a new set of core values that speak to the merged company.

Training and development.

As you work to merge two different cultures together, it’s important to engage in team-building activities and ongoing training for all levels of the organization. 

Another aspect of the development of your team is ensuring your team members are aligned in their roles. Role alignment is essential to the success of your new merged business. When employees are aligned in roles that match their strengths they will be more engaged and excited about work.

Through training and development programs, team members who are not role aligned can discover their optimal roles and, in the process of reconfiguring the companies in the merger, change roles to be more productive and set up for success.  

Check-in with employees regularly. 

During a merger, it is essential that leadership and HR communicate regularly with all employees to ensure their concerns are being addressed. This can be done through informal check-ins, and/or formal employee engagement surveys. Monthly performance reviews can focus on an employee’s individual contributions to the overall company goals and assure them that their role is secure in the transition

Communication

One of the top reasons mergers and acquisitions fail is a lack of communication. When communication is lacking between managers and employees, employees are left asking questions: Why is the company merging? How will I be affected? How will I be supported throughout this merger? Am I about to lose my job?

Lack of communication with your employees may leave them confused and unmotivated to work hard for the newly merged company. Keep employees updated on the context of the merger, the timeline of what’s next, and other frequently asked questions related to the merger. Like restructuring the Org chart.  

Employee engagement before and after the merger.

Analyzing employee data before and after the merger can help you better understand how your organization has been impacted by the merger. In doing so, you can identify areas of your culture that may need work.

Employee retention

Employees will likely feel on edge during this major transition. They may be faced with fears of losing their jobs, being asked to re-apply for their job, or drastic company culture changes. Losing employees during the merger will negatively affect profitability. So focus on communication, incentives, clear goals, and strategies to keep your team engaged and in the know.

How to Create an Employee Handbook

How to Create an Employee Handbook

(You need a lot more than in a traditional handbook!)

There are many terms thrown around the HR space: employee handbook, manual, pamphlet, and review. Same, same but different.

Although there are various terms used, they all have the same goal for your business—security and prevention.

At Culture Works, we receive a lot of questions about employee handbooks, manuals, whatever the heck you want to call them!

Some common questions we receive include:

  • What is an employee handbook?
  • Does my small business need a handbook?
  • What should be included in my employee handbook?
  • What should I avoid while creating an employee handbook?
  • How often should I restructure the handbook?

So, let’s take a closer look into why employee handbooks are essential for any business, and how they can transform your business’s workforce planning. 

What is an Employee Handbook? 

Simply put, an employee handbook is a book or online PDF containing employee and employer guidelines to reference for all job-related information.

No matter the size of the business, an employee handbook is a necessary tool. (We understand that as a small business, you wear a lot of hats for the company, but this doesn’t mean an employee handbook should take the backburner).

In general, an employee handbook is reviewed and signed when a new hire is onboarded. Although the handbook is primarily used for onboarding, it’s important to acknowledge that an employee handbook is not only a resource for employees but is also a resource for employers as well.

Additionally, having a thorough, up-to-date HR handbook can reduce your business’s insurance costs. Clearly, there are many pros to having an employee handbook, regardless of business size.

What Should be Included in an Employee Handbook? 

An employee handbook is normally a large document with guidelines covering the following topics:

  • Equal Opportunity Guidelines
  • Company Culture
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holiday Time
  • Job Expectations
  • Company Mission Statement
  • Company Policies
  • Work Performance Expectations
  • Who to Contact if an Issue Arises

Surprisingly enough, employee handbooks are not required by law. They are, however, as we’ve noted, very helpful and highly recommended.

Most HR representatives consider the employer’s handbook as an active document, which means that throughout the year, notes can be added and reviewed when policies and employment laws change.

What Should I Avoid When Creating an Employee Handbook? 

Creating and maintaining employee manuals in California is more difficult than in other states. This is because policies and guidelines are constantly being adjusted. 

It’s almost impossible to keep up, which is why adding notes and using the employee handbook as an active document is a helpful practice to follow.

Ideally, an employee handbook should be written by an HR consultant or professional, or an employment attorney. Although there are tools that can help employers build a handbook, it’s better to practice to collaborate with a professional. 

Forbes lists common mistakes that are made when creating an employee handbook, and they are worth paying attention to. Key takeaways include:

  • Not having a process for reconstructing the handbook
  • Using the handbook as a form of control
  • Failing to notify employees if there are changes to the handbook
  • Using only a template 
  • Vague language

Again, your company mission and values should align with the handbook.

When Should You Review Your Employee Handbook? 

The simple answer? Always.

Again, most HR representatives see the handbook as an active document. This means that throughout the year when policies and general guidelines change, notes can be added and reviewed.

An employee handbook is most helpful when constantly added to and reviewed. This way, the handbook will stay perfectly up-to-date without annual revisions, which is important if an issue arises. A handbook is a great reference point.

A Final Word

As an employer, it can be helpful to see the employee handbook as a resource, not just another box to check off the list.

It should essentially be seen as a big information source. There is a lot of information to keep track of as an employer. If an employee gets called to jury duty, for example, do they receive paid time off? Check the employee handbook.If you’re a small business and haven’t officially created an employee handbook, it would be helpful to contact an HR professional to assist in the process. Read our blog, “Small Businesses: How to know when you need HR” for more information.

How Learning and Development Can Transform Your Company Culture

How Learning and Development Can Transform Your Company Culture

It is not enough for a company to say it invest in its company culture. Creating a healthy workplace environment is a process that takes time and commitment. A factor that is often forgotten with any process is that learning new skills is essential to change. With learning comes vulnerability.

So, let’s chat about the power of learning and development within the workplace.

What Is Learning and Development? 

Learning and development (L&D) is an HR function: “a way of accruing value in employees that involves evaluating staff for potential and then developing it… on-boarding new staff and honing the skills of current employees.” 

How is this accomplished? 

By “using appropriate curriculum and techniques such as coaching, individual and team training, and staff assessments. Learning management systems also increase employee engagement.”

To reiterate the importance of L&D, we acknowledge that, “The term ‘learning’ often applies to immediate teaching, and ‘development’ has a longer-term connotation.”

Why Learning and Development? 

Culture Works acknowledges that part of our impact is through: 

  • Purpose
  • People
  • Process. 

The process means that we align HR and operations to simplify internal processes. We drive results by implementing HR infrastructure upgrades which are the building blocks of aligned organizational culture and business goals.

Learning and development are creating specific skills and connections that stay with employees when they leave the office for the day. Learning and development, in the long run, boost company culture while also improving the bottom line. L&D programs, in short, benefits employees and the company as a whole.

Creating a positive work environment with L&D

The news of the Great Resignation affecting all industries right now has pushed for more active implementation for positive company cultures in the workplace. There are ways to improve positive company culture with L&D. 

Utilize KSAs, not KPIs

In order to be a company that values a learning culture, you should put more emphasis on KSAs (knowledge, skills, and abilities) rather than key performance indicators (KPIs). Employees should be encouraged to better themselves in order to contribute to the greater success of the business. 

It’s important for employees to understand that learning and experimenting with new skills in the workplace is encouraged as well as expected. Empowering employees to take the initiative in their development is one of the best ways to help your employees and your company grow. 

Continually measure and adapt

In everything you do, it’s important to assess the results. These assessments will give you the information you need to build a better program and keep your employees motivated. 

Employee surveys are a great way to assess your efforts. Start with an assessment to establish benchmarks in areas like knowledge and performance. Once you have the base assessment, you can base your further efforts on the evaluation. These will help you uncover the impact of the program on retention, internal mobility, business results, and other factors that lead to success. 

It’s also important to assess employee responses to your efforts. Are employees taking advantage of the provided opportunities? Are they utilizing the online resources? If not, you may need to change course. 

Engage your middle management

It is said that company culture changes start from the top down, and while that is true (without high-level buy-in any culture initiative will fail), it is also essential to engage your middle management. If your mid-level managers do not understand the importance of learning and development, their direct reports will never completely buy-in. 

Middle managers need to know that the learning and development programs are designed to help keep employee skills up to date, and prepare their employees for potential growth opportunities. 

Managers can serve as a mentor to their employees, performing the training programs, and following up after. When employees take the time to develop new skills, it makes them better contributors to the team and gives them the opportunity to act as team players. When managers understand this, they will buy-in.

Recognize the difference between skills and behaviors. 

Understanding the difference between skills and behaviors will help you tailor your programs to ensure employee success. Skills are typically straightforward to learn and can be easily transferred in an online teaching environment. 

Changes in behavior are more complex. How people act in specific circumstances, like high-pressure situations, is more challenging to teach. Teaching the ‘why’ behind behaviors helps to promote a greater learning environment. You must teach your employees how you would like them to conduct themselves in the workplace. Part of this teaching process is modeling the behavior you’re actively encouraging your workforce to implement yourself. 

For example, if you have a collaborative, candid environment, you would do well to give employees the skills to be candid, accept honest feedback, and collaborate with teams. Understanding how your corporate culture meshes with your employees’ communication styles will define your company’s overall approach to learning. 

Are you debating if your company truly has a positive culture, one that implements Learning and Development? Read our blog to learn the 5 signs that your company does have a positive company culture. 

How to Prevent the Great Resignation in your Business

How to Prevent the Great Resignation in your Business

CBS News reported that in the second half of 2021, over 20 million people left their jobs for various reasons. Reasons for the increased resignation rates are likely due to culture, compensation, and flexibility. Although this is an alarming statistic, there are a few steps business owners can take to prevent the great resignation from affecting their business. 

What is the Great Resignation? 

The Great Resignation is described by Investopedia as a “higher-than-normal quit rate of American workers that began in the spring of 2021 and continued into the fall.” 

Why are so many people quitting their jobs? 

Over the course of 2 years, people have created a clear image of what they want their work-life balance to look like. The requirement to work from home over the last few years created a world of possibilities for many companies. Employees now understand what is possible, in terms of workplace flexibility. 

The collective experience of the last two years has also caused more people to focus on company culture and the employee experience. According to IDC, some of the most important focuses in terms of employee experience include:

  • Transparency, trust, and consistent communication from employers
  • A collaborative work environment with remote experiences allowed
  • A culture focused on belonging and inclusion
  • Employee listening, engagement, and recognition from management and peers
  • Career development and educational opportunities
  • Demonstrated corporate social responsibility

Employee Burnout and the Great Resignation

Another area of employee experience that has become a huge topic of discussion for most employers, is burnout.

Indeed released a study on workplace burnout that reported: “67% of all workers believe burnout has worsened during the pandemic.” They also found that “53% of millennials were already burned out pre-COVID, and remain the most affected population with 59% experiencing it [burnout] today.” 

The chart featured below shows the level of burnout among different generations over the span of COVID-19. 

Chart courtesy of Indeed.

How to spot employee burnout

As mentioned above, Forbes reported that even companies with a positive work culture are being affected by the Great Resignation. This is most likely due to the increased burnout rate over the last few years. 

So, one of the most preventative steps an employer can look out for is employee burnout. Forbes lists the three warning signs of burnout as: 

  1. “Decreased Productivity and Performance
  2. Increased Cynicism towards coworkers and clients
  3. Detached from the company.” 

How can you prevent the Great Resignation from influencing your company?

There are actions your company can take to prevent your employee retention rate from taking a hit this year. Companies that have provided a great work environment are also being affected by the Great Resignation, so how can you retain your employees? 

Let’s look into some preventive measures that companies can take in 2022. 

Foster Positive Company Culture

There are a LOT of factors that go into creating positive company culture. Some aspects of work that improve by strong company culture include:  

  • Office interpersonal relationships 
  • Employee retention
  • Team communication 
  • Ongoing employee growth and learning 

As you try to attract and retain the best and brightest workers in your business, you can be sure that potential employees are looking for a place where they will feel valued, and enjoy coming to work.  That doesn’t always mean smiles and high-fives. Positive company culture means one where accountability, high standards, and the ability to give and receive feedback are present. 

At Culture Works, we start with purpose, people, and process. First: align with a higher purpose, then, get your people on board with how they bring value and are integral to the company’s success, and finally, implement processes that put HR and operations into action to make company culture repeatable and actionable every day. 

Implementing HR processes is at the core of building aligned organizational culture and reaching your business goals. 

Not all team-building exercises involve trust falls or baby pictures. There are many team-building exercises that don’t suck. Some examples include: 

  • Corporate Recess (incorporating play into work)
  • Emotional Intelligence training
  • Learning outings (hands-on projects)

Read our blog to see if your company checks off the 5 signs of positive company culture. 

Learning and Development

Culture Works believes that Learning and Development (L&D) plays a major role in fostering a positive and productive work environment. 

Investing in your team means more than buying lunch every month (although, who doesn’t appreciate a free meal!?). Quality L&D means investing in your employees daily and encouraging their personal and professional growth. One of the best ways to invest in the learning and development of your employees is to provide additional courses that increase your employee’s skills and bring them to the next level, so they can be promoted within!

Allowing for a Flexible Work Environment

CNBC reports that 57% of workers require employers to provide options for a flexible work environment. This means creating a space where employees can successfully complete their roles remotely, in person, or with a hybrid work model. 

The moral of the story is: A flexible workplace can be the difference between you and another employer.

Combating burnout, finding value-aligned employees, and creating a positive company culture are only a few ways you can work to prevent the Great Resignation from affecting your business. 

How long has it been since you thought about your company’s culture? Do you bring your company’s values into your daily conversations? We’ve put together an article explaining how you can start setting team goals, with your values in mind, to foster company culture and increase employee retention. Read more here.

What’s the Difference Between a Leader and a Manager?

What’s the Difference Between a Leader and a Manager?

As Julias Campbell says in Remember the Titans, “attitude reflects leadership, captain.” This reigns true for the workplace as well. Leadership is the driving force of your company’s culture. 

One question we often receive from clients is, “What is the difference between a leader and a manager?” Let’s dive into the differences between the two, and the impact they have on the organization. 

Manager vs. Leader

As you have probably seen in any workplace, leaders have people who follow them and get behind their ideas and initiatives. While a manager simply has people who work for them. The biggest difference between the two is the influence and impact they have on the people with whom they interact.

As a business owner, ensuring you have managers who have strong leadership qualities is essential to your success.

Some of the most influential characteristics of a leader include:

  • Honest and Integrity
  • Inspiration
  • Communication Skills
  • Strong Vision
  • Ability to Innovate

The characteristics of a strong manager that you also want to be on the lookout for include:

  • People-focused
  • Project management
  • Execution of a vision

A manager who has a blend of the two sets of characteristics has a real opportunity to drive change and create a positive workplace culture. 


BoredPanda provides great illustrations that sum up the differences between a leader and simply a boss. The common theme between all the images is the difference in processes and the rhetoric used in the office.

Photo courtesy of BoredPanda
Photo courtesy of BoredPanda

Taking Leadership Beyond Management 

At Culture Works we understand that leading a team, an organization, or just a single person can be challenging. Creating success for your company as a leader requires a well-thought-out and actionable plan. 

Here are the foundational steps you can take to step closer into the leadership role:

First, begin with defining your purpose.

Create a vision and purpose for yourself and your team. Effectively communicate this purpose with your team and other employees at all levels. This creates a cohesive company spirit that makes everyone feel included.

Next, show that you are passionate about your purpose and vision.

Enthusiasm is contagious. If you show you care, your employee will care more in return. If people see that they are important to implementing the company’s vision, they will feel important and appreciated.

Show your employees the example of what they should be doing, by doing it yourself.

If you hold yourself to a higher standard than those around you, your employees will rise to the standard you set.

Maintain flexibility in how you reach your goals.

While your goals should be fixed, the way you attain them can change based on circumstances. Stay determined and focused on achieving goals, while changing course when necessary.

As you begin to create these goals for your team, be sure to consider the decisions that will create sustainable success.

Quick fixes and wins do not build momentum or increase employee engagement. Planning for long-term success will allow your employees to feel safe and secure with their employment.

Have a dual focus as you navigate through your company’s decisions.

Be sure to keep the big picture in mind always, but pay attention to the small details that build the big picture. Create your business strategy by using those small details.

Want to know more about how you can take your leadership or your team’s leadership beyond management? Read more on our taking leadership beyond management blog. 

Hiring Trends in the New Year

hiring trends in the new year

The hiring process has changed over the last year and will continue to change in 2022. 

Culture Works believes that intentional hiring can be achieved in the new year with the use of role alignment and culture operations. 

These are some of the tools that Culture Works uses with clients, but what other hiring trends are coming in 2022?

Proactive Recruitment

A buzzword that is being thrown around in the HR sector is “proactive recruitment.” Well, it turns out that proactive recruitment is more than a buzzword, it’s also a practical tool to utilize.

Proactive recruitment is exactly what it sounds like. A company might actively talk to candidates who are already hired in another role at another company. It sounds risky, but the main hiring trend of 2022 is that anything goes. The remote work culture has additionally made proactive recruitment more tangible in the workforce.

Remote Work is Here to Stay

LinkedIn did a worldwide analysis on the job market and determined that the most sought-after jobs in the new year are remote.


This can be explained for many reasons. One of the biggest draws towards remote work is that location doesn’t matter anymore! A couple of years ago, the “Are you willing to relocate?” section of job applications might have been a scary thing to check off. Now, relocating isn’t required as often.

How Does Remote Work Affect Employee Benefits for the Future? 

Business Insider warns future job seekers to look out for “too good to be true” scenarios. This means that a company may offer a tight-knit community full of happy hours, free lunches, and other one-off perks.

While these offers are tempting, there are sometimes factors about the workplace that are not ideal to work in (despite the tempting happy hour offers).

Some questions to ask about benefits and company culture in 2022 might include:

  • How does this company address burnout? 
  • How does the company implement work-life balance? 
  • Do employees feel they are working in a safe environment? 
  • How is communication handled in the office? 

These questions are a starting point for understanding what companies are painting themselves as—compared to how they actually operate.

How to Narrow Your Search (AKA Avoid the Black Hole of LinkedIn!)

The remote workforce often means remote recruiting and hiring.

If your company posts a job offer, chances are hundreds of applicants are going to see the job posting on LinkedIn. So, how do you narrow down your talent search in the age of “one-click” job recruitment?

On LinkedIn’s blog, they highlight the best practices to use as a company using LinkedIn for hiring. Some of their main focuses for LinkedIn specifically include:

  • “Convert your company followers into new hires
  • Align your search and pipeline in one place
  • Search for new talent based on the profiles of your current top performers
  • Once you’ve found people who seem like a good fit, send them an effective InMail message” 

These are all great tips for after people have applied for a job through LinkedIn, but the time is just as valuable as your own. How can you make the process as simple but effective as possible? Some great guidelines to follow include:

  • Writing job descriptions that are detailed and very clear
  • Use the Search Insights Feature available for recruiters
  • Always, always respond, even if the response is a rejection of their application

The communication process through hiring has shifted. If a potential hire has spent an hour crafting a cover letter and application, and they never hear back regardless of the outcome, then there is less credibility tied to your business based on word-of-mouth.

Market Yourself to Potential Employees

If your company doesn’t have a marketing strategy, you’re already behind. 

While your competitors are marketing themselves to clients and future employees on various social media platforms, you have stayed in the same networking circle.

People love and value the human side of a company.  So, if your company isn’t ready to step into hiring an outsourced marketing agency, there are small steps you can take to start attracting high-value hires.

One of these steps is sharing client and employee testimonials and stories on LinkedIn or any social platforms your company has. This builds a trusting brand that new hires will be looking for when applying for jobs.

Top Skills to Be on the Lookout For

Okay, now you’re active on LinkedIn and have put effort into marketing yourself to potential employees — What’s next?

There are top skills that are being sought after in the 2022 job hiring market. These skills revolve around an individual being adaptable to situations and roles. Along with being adaptable, these following traits should be considered as a hiring manager listed by Hire Digital:

  • Technology 
  • Problem-Solving
  • Project Management
  • Digital Marketing
  • Team Player in a Remote Environment

Are you positive your company has a positive company culture? Oftentimes the positive phrases plastered over a company website don’t ring true for current employees. Learn more by reading the five signs you have a company culture on our blog.

How to Set New Year’s Resolutions that Foster Company Culture

how to set new year's resolutions to foster company culture

You’ve made it to the new year, congratulations! There are often a lot of goals and New Year’s resolutions that people make for their personal life. The good news is, there’s a way to set goals in the office that foster company culture.

Setting team goals for 2022

Maybe your office normally sets goals each New Year. How realistic are the goals normally? 

We love the optimism of shooting for the stars, truly. But maybe “Fly to Mars with Elon Musk” isn’t as doable this year. It helps as a team to create a combination of goals that are tangible and goals that are long shots. Creating a balanced list means that there will most likely be moments of checking a goal off the list— which feels great— to learning moments. 

One important aspect of setting team goals is speaking in simple terms. The simpler the goal, the easier it will be to reach that goal and check it off the list! 

Keep in mind that simple language does not mean vague. Another factor to consider is to keep goals specific. For example, simply stating “In 2022 I want the team to get closer” is hard to navigate because there are no tangible ways to measure the success of a goal. One way to switch the language to be more specific could be, “In 2022 we want to have 10 different team bonding days marked in the calendar.” 

See? Much more manageable. If you need help figuring out what team bonding exercises to do, read our blog, “5 team-bonding exercises that don’t suck.” 

Creating a Collaborative Culture

So, what happens after you make the perfect list of goals for 2022? A list is only as strong as the collaborative effort that continues on with those goals. 

Forbes discusses how to create attainable goals, with the main tips centered around: 

  • “Tangible goals means real results
  • Accountability
  • Follow Approach-Oriented goals
  • Identify pitfalls
  • Set yourself up for success.”

Let’s dive deeper into how these tips can be implemented into your team. 

Accountability in the workplace

As mentioned above, tangible goals will lead to real results. But how does accountability play into reaching a point where real results are accomplished? 

Accountability is key. 

If the set goals are simple and clear for everyone, then accountability will be easier to implement. For example, using the example above of the goal “In 2022 we want to have 10 different team bonding days marked in the calendar.”

Well, If it’s halfway through 2022 and there has only been one team-bonding activity, with no more planned in sight, then a conversation can be had between the team about how to still make that goal achievable. 

Identify internal challenges

The learning process is a part of any goal. As a team, it’s important to identify the internal challenges that could be limiting the ability to achieve the New Year’s resolutions. 

Taking a step back and looking at the processes that are set in place is a great way to start looking at internal challenges. What is holding the team back from achieving their goals? It might be resources, time, culture fit, and everything in between that impacts human nature. If the internal challenges are identified and addressed, then a positive company culture is more likely to follow. 

Are you positive your company has a positive company culture? Learn the “Five Indications of a Positive Company Culture” on our blog. 

What it looks like to work for (and with!) Culture Works

What it looks like to work for (and with!) Culture Works

Have you wondered what happens behind the scenes at the Culture Works office? Or, what partnering with us looks like? We have many roles and systems in place to make sure we provide the best possible service for your company, which also means hiring the right people.

Culture Works is Your Recruiting Partner

If you partner with Culture Works, we help make the recruitment process as painless as possible (yes, there are many ways to do this without scrolling through hundreds of LinkedIn applications).

We follow a unique process that aligns with your internal hiring team to create and implement a customized recruitment strategy. 

What this process looks like in practice is:

  • Culture Works strives to be an extension of your human resources department that creates or expands ongoing recruiting initiatives 
  • Full cycle coordination of recruitment efforts
  • Scouting and screening of active applicants
  • Candidate recaps and hiring manager debrief sessions

Value and role alignment is at the core of everything we do in recruiting. Why is it important? With the right people in roles that enhance their strengths and interests, you will likely see more productive employees, more engaged employees, and a happier workforce all around.

Value Alignment

Our team spends countless hours creating a “bench” of great talent. So, when you’re ready to find a great team member, we know just the people to start your search. 

Glassdoor published a study that highlights what employees value most in the workplace. The culture and values of a company are what employees placed the most emphasis on. Translation? Value alignment is extremely important in ensuring your top employees remain with your company. 

What do we mean when we say value alignment? Value alignment is the process by which your established company values are a match with the candidate you’re speaking with. If your employees value honesty and transparency, but that’s not part of your core functions as a company, you will likely run into problems down the road.  

Oftentimes, miscommunication within a company arises because company values are unclear. One way to avoid this miscommunication is to clearly state your company values and to frequently come back to them.

While you’re running your business, there may be adjustments in your company values, and that’s OK! The process of establishing core values that align with both you and your company is the starting point to aligning on a recruitment strategy that really works. 

Role Alignment

Another area of focus for the Culture Works team when recruiting both internally and for our clients is role alignment. What, you ask, is role alignment?

Role alignment is uncovering the strengths, weaknesses, and interests of your candidate and finding a role that fits those areas. If you have a non-detail-oriented person in a heavy-detail-focused role, they will likely be unhappy and you could lose what could be a great member of your team.

Our team prioritizes role alignment in every recruiting engagement we participate in. When your employees are aligned in their roles, based on experience, personality type, and strengths, they are more likely to succeed. 

It can be tempting to dismiss people who haven’t ticked every box required for the role, but we suggest that you look past the confining checklist under the job description and potentially uncover where they may be a better fit. 

Our process encourages you to focus on other values that can’t be taught. For example, flexibility is crucial for any employee to thrive in a new environment. The employee might not check all the boxes on the job description, but they are eager and quick learners. This sets the company up for a more successful retention rate. 

Talent Strategy

Talent strategy is another factor we encourage in our recruiting partnerships. We help your company attract the right talent. Some of these strategies include:

  • Create an enjoyable work environment
  • Give your employees opportunities for growth
  • Take time to consider who is placed in leadership positions
  • Show recognition to your employees
  • Offer unbeatable compensation and job flexibility
  • Be involved with your employees and foster relationships

The best way to attract future employees is to pay attention to what is happening internally. When you create a company culture that is ideal for both the company and your employees, more people will want to join your organization.

Working for Culture Works

At Culture Works, we like to practice what we preach by fostering a positive work environment that encourages our team to grow both in their career and personally. This means implementing everything mentioned above, and more.

Perks and Benefits 

We value transparency on all levels. This is highlighted on our website where we outline the perks and benefits that all Culture Works employees have access to: 

0-90 Days Onboarding

  • Monthly WFH Stipend
  • 1 time desk experience stipend
  • Participation in awesome company culture events!

90 Days to 1 Year

  • Monthly WFH stipend
  • Participation in company operations and accountability 
  • Flex time
  • Education reimbursement

1 to 5 Years

  • Monthly WFH stipend
  • Participation in company operations and accountability
  • Flex time
  • 401k eligible 

5+ Years

  • Monthly WFH stipend
  • Participation in company culture operations and accountability
  • Flex time
  • Education reimbursement 
  • 401k eligible 

Growth and Development

Logistics aside, there are personal growth opportunities within our company.

How? 

We develop and empower our own team by valuing security, attention to detail, and expertise. We are teachers and students. We are proactive, gritty, and all the way bought into the vision of Culture Works. This means we follow this plan for each employee: 

0-90 Days Onboarding

  • 50% Gameplan
  • 50% Role Aligned with Client-Facing or Client Projects
  • Performance Success System (Gameplan is 30-60-90 and weekly Check Ins with Kristi, founder of Culture Works)

90 days to 1 Year

  • Client team: 100% client facing or client projects 
  • Ops: 100% role aligned with functional ownership
  • Performance Success System: Monthly Check Ins with Kristi)

1 to 5 Years

  • Client and Ops team: Eligible to remove 100% capacity from role or clients, and add VC capacity in leading leaders, leading process, or leading business
  • Quarterly Check Ins with Kristi 

5+ Years

  • Client and Ops team: Eligible to remove 100% capacity from role or clients, and add VC capacity in leading leaders, leading process, or leading business
  • Quarterly Check Ins with Kristi 

Do you still have questions about what it’s like to work with or for Culture Works? Reach out today for more information.

Want to dive deeper into the role alignment conversation? Take a look at this article on our blog, to understand the importance of role alignment in hiring.

How to Incorporate Company Culture into your ‘Corporate Gift Giving’

How to Incorporate Company Culture into your ‘Corporate Gift Giving’

Let’s be real: Gift receiving is everyone’s love language.

It’s the Holiday Season!

The Holiday season is just around the corner! As a company, you don’t want to wait until the last minute to figure out your corporate gift-giving plan.

It’s important to understand that there is a way to incorporate your company culture into corporate gift giving (yes, gifts for employees and clients!) Corporate gifting is a great way to continue connecting with your employees and clients during a busy season to show that you care, value your partnership, and are thinking of them.

In the past, companies might have missed the mark with cheesy mousepads, so let’s step it up! This doesn’t mean your gift has to be expensive. All it takes is some thought and planning.

The Psychology of Gift-Giving

Let’s first chat a little bit about the psychology behind giving and receiving gifts. There are many benefits to corporate gift giving—tangible and psychological.

Picture this: you’re a stressed employee around the holiday season. Work has piled up and there are personal distractions causing more stress than usual (family dynamics are SO fun during the holidays, right?)

Then, you receive an unexpected gift from your boss. Odds are, your day will move forward a lot more positively because of the gift, and more importantly, because it’s an act of appreciation.

From Boss to Staff

One primary way that corporate giving is incorporated is from a boss to an employee. While most companies do include holiday bonuses, there are a few other tokens of appreciation that can help you align company culture and corporate giving.

Again, don’t miss the mark with a mousepad with your company logo on it… Gifts like these come off as a last-minute thought and don’t show true appreciation.

A more thoughtful suggestion is a leatherbound notebook. A notebook can be used for planning work or as a personal writing tool. Either way, if your company focuses on the continued education of employees, this is a great way to show that their mental health is also important to the company.

If you’re unsure about what to give, try and listen to office chatter, hear what they might need or want. It could be something as simple as their favorite bottle of wine or chocolate!

Another great idea: If your company has a favorite place around the corner to get lunch, a gift card is a great, practical gift.

Gifting to Clients

Sending gifts to your clientele is a different story. You might not know them on a personal level like an employee, but don’t fret—there are still ways to show your appreciation.

One thing to avoid is sending tacky merch with your company logo. They already hired you, you don’t need to try and sell them anything.

Perhaps a personalized bottle of wine, fancy cheese, or something else that is specific to your expertise? Gifting something useful is a win. Because let’s be honest, how many branded stress balls have you received, that you still use or even have? Our guess is none.

Another idea is to add personalized touches to client gifts. For example, if you opt for the wine bottle, a wine opener with your client’s logo or name on it would show that extra level of effort and appreciation.

Company Culture

The act of corporate gifting can also provide the opportunity for team bonding. Worried about having boring team bonding exercises? Learn five team bonding exercises that don’t suck, here on our blog! 

One example of a bonding exercise that doesn’t suck is a ‘white elephant’ event with a set price limit. This brings the office together for a laugh and takes away the pressure of getting gifts for multiple coworkers.

Count me in!

Practical steps you can take to make your company culture (and yourself) even better.

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