When you take care of your employee, your overall customer experience and profits can be easier to manage. And the care of your employees stems from your company’s culture—the moral fabric and set of values engrained within everyone.
Many view their company’s culture as the hallmark of their overall happiness while on the job. It determines the level of transparency, autonomy, and creativity employees feel empowered to utilize. Building an employee-centered culture is critical to maintaining and retaining an engaged and motivated workforce. Companies need to focus on a top-down and bottom-up approach to create a culture that benefits everyone.
Even though we are in the midst of a pandemic and most companies have adopted an entirely virtual model, it’s still important to connect and check-in on employees while they navigate their new work-from-home situations. Communication should be open and fluidly shared so every individual feels as if they are hearing the most up-to-date information. As companies redefine their sustainability and long-term growth during these difficult economic times, communication to staff partners is paramount. Dedicating time to monthly all-staff meetings or opening up office-hours for staff to chat with leadership are two easy ways companies can better serve all employees.
When companies transitioned to virtual meetings, team dynamics shifted. To help alleviate uncertainty and stress that some employees may be feeling, encourage core values that support your company’s culture to be discussed and defined during team meetings. It’s also important to dedicate time to catch-up and listen to how your staff partners’ personal lives are doing and what additional support would be beneficial for them. Everyone’s lives have been turned upside down and we all need to be understanding and considerate of others’ mental health and wellbeing. Likewise, making time for virtual coffee/happy hours or organizing virtual trivia games can be great ways to add a little fun into everyone’s workday.
Be patient, be compassionate, be transparent—be employee-centered. Creating an employee-centered culture is crucial, especially when navigating a virtual work setting. As we learn to make our homes our new offices, we must put our staff partners’ wellbeing first. No longer can you stop at your coworker’s cube and check-in to see how they are doing. We must go above and beyond to ensure our virtual coworkers feel connected to their staff partners and happy with their companies.
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Derek Rundell, is a successful business leader, operator, and serial entrepreneur. Derek has founded, managed and sold businesses in the technology, media and finance industries. He sits on several boards and serves as an advisor/investor to numerous established businesses and startups. Startups are Derek’s real passion, and in addition to building his own portfolio of technology, media and financial ventures, he invests in and mentors startups and entrepreneurs. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and helping other businesses succeed.