� Some find it at the ballet or museums�others at festivals and�events. But we�re not talking about those cultures here. We�re talking about the kind that can help you build your business, attract the right employees, and sell and...
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Some find it at the ballet or museums�others at festivals and�events. But we�re not talking about those cultures here. We�re talking about the kind that can help you build your business, attract the right employees, and sell and retain to new customers.
Simply put, as a business owner your beliefs about your business, life, and society all guide�your way of thinking�as you form and grow your company.
Just as the way you treat (or mistreat) your partner, kids, or other family members a certain way and that sets the tone in your home, the way you treat your team, colleagues, and customers creates a certain tangible �vibe.�
POOF! You�have culture�good, bad or indifferent.
Culture guides�di??r?ti?n?r?�behavior. It starts where the employee handbook�stops. Culture�guides�us in how to respond to customers� requests�and how we respond to�our employees ideas authentic cultures foster innovation.�Entrepreneur��even rates small business company cultures.
So, how do you build and sustain a culture for your business?
Focus on it and make it a priority.�On �Undercover Boss,� leaders are often shocked when they find out what their teams are really thinking. If you listen to your team and your customers, you should never be surprised. Don�t force it.�Culture should be genuine and reflect your belief system. If you have business partners, you all need to be on the same page too. Walk the walk.�Expecting your employees to stay late, work overtime and be on-call 24/7 may work if you�re doing the same. But if your employees can�t contact you quickly when needed, or they have to lie to a client for you about �an emergency� that came up,�you are creating�a double standard. Apply it to your hiring, development, and firing process.�Ask yourself if each team member �fits� into your culture.�For example, if you value collaboration and you have a team member who loves to preach and dictate to others, she might not be a great cultural fit. Coach those talented employees whose behaviors and work styles are counter-culture. Don�t be afraid to part ways with those women who are derailing your company�s culture.Check out�Happy Family Brands. It�s�one of The 10 Fastest Growing Women Owned Businesses according to�Leaning In. Their culture comes through in their communications. You can�t help but be happy reading their stories, watching their videos, and seeing the smiling pictures of their huge employee �family.� Their culture is natural and it shows. It�s organic, just like their product.
We don�t all have happy or organic brands, however. Learn from�other women-owned businesses�and how they�ve incorporated their values into their day-to-day work lives.
When you place your focus on culture, you�ll find your guiding principles too. It will start to �feel right�. It�s the glue that keeps makes everything stick.
A company�s culture that embraces its employees� happiness delivers�lower turnover, more engagement, and higher productivity. Employees become your brand ambassadors. Customers stay longer and become brand loyal.�Everybody�s happy!
Learn more about Kathy and how she can help you�define your core values, your mission, and vision for your business.�Click HERE to schedule a FREE consultation with Kathy!
click here�to take the FREE Core Values Assessment!
Originally published [now edited] on Sheboom.com on 11.1.2016
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