Culture; a word that has taken the corporate world by storm in the last decade. From how workplaces communicate, dress and think to the personalities they boast to their audiences, people are beginning to place labels on certain companies and their brands as a result of the people that represent them. Research shows that a company’s “culture”, is now one of the leading determining factors of candidate fit in hiring and recruitment practices.
Of course, fitting in with a company’s culture starts with being able to clearly outline what that culture is. By maintaining a strong one, organizations can create a more positive and precise identity and image. Employees will also have a better sense of what actions to take in certain situations to align with this blueprint of the company’s underlying values. Not only do these ideals guide decision making, but they span the entire community who identifies as one of each company.
Take for example, Google, commonly ranked among the organizations with the “best” company culture. From an outside perspective, it isn’t hard to tell that Google is youthful. Google is also innovative, casual, lively and cutting edge. Their offices offer gyms, free meals, free haircuts, free car washes, free dry cleaning and even on-site health care in order to keep employees focused on their tasks at work without the distractions of their outside chores taking them away. This practice reinforces one of their simple yet important ideals: we’ll take care of you while you take care of work.
Along with Google, companies such as Zappos, Warby Parker, Southwest Airlines, Twitter, Facebook, REI, and Chevron take the top of the list for places with the most diversity, inclusivity, positivity and productivity. The wide array of industries which these businesses span shows just how different cultures can be and that people are more inclined to work in places that promote varied assets as their priorities. Whether it be safety, health, fun, or tradition, each company should pay close attention to what their people are most persuaded to dedicate themselves to.
Company culture has one of the greatest influences on brand identity. If you’re looking to strengthen what makes your product stand out, look to the people that make it. A wonderful example of this is Honey Bunches of Oats and their take on making a traditional good modern. Their campaign which features real factory workers with a warm and inviting attitude introduces the cereal as a homestyle, family product. The beloved Diana Hunter, famous for her southern accent and friendly affect, makes Honey Bunches of Oats identifiable and unique in an aisle of thousands of cereal products. Tune in to see their latest homemade video boosted to increase engagement and display company culture.
In order to succeed in your industry, it is important to build a foundation for your company that emphasizes certain values which will, in turn, streamline how workers achieve and set goals. Know that to be known, you must separate yourself from the crowd by establishing and practicing key qualities of the people you would like to be and the product you would like to provide.