Company Culture. We’ve all heard of it and some of us may already know why it’s important, but why is it really important and what the hell is it exactly? I want to take you behind the scenes and let you know why employee engagement is at the forefront of all companies. Think about it if the employees at any company are disengaged, business isn’t booming
What is Company Culture and Why is it Important
Company or organizational culture is the personality of the company. It enconpasses the work environment, mission, values, and goals that are shared amongst employees of the business. This usually sets the precedent for all new hires getting acclimated to their new position.
Establishing a culture directly affects employee engagement which can directly impact the motivation, happiness, and how likely you are to stay at a company. Here are some characteristics of an engaged employee:
- Connected to company’s mission
- Proactively learning and starting projects
- Motivated to meet company goals
- Commitment to the company
What does this lead to you ask? Higher productivity, better consumer relations, and lower turnover which is key to the success of any business.
What’s the Problem?
You may have heard of companies having perks such as unlimited vacation days, company outings, providing meals, and even pet insurance! Let’s be honest, there’s a very good reason why companies are serious about establishing a culture haveing dedicated budgets to ensure YOU remain happy. Take a look at some of these stats:
- 78% of employees said they aren’t looking for a new role, but would be open to the right opportunity(CareerBuilder)
- 76% of employees wouldn't join a company offering a higher salary that sells users’ data without users’ knowledge (The Manifest)
- 66% of professional employees plan not to stay at their current company long term (ExecuSearch)
- Career development ranked 2nd to compensation as the reason employees left their organizations. (The Harris Poll)
- According to a study on workplace engagement in the U.S. disengaged employees cost organization around $450B - $550B each year. (Gallup)
The struggle is real! For companies of all industries, there is a serious fight for talent. Employees and job seekers today are much like customers. Have you noticed the rise in employer branding? Employers are in a position where they have to actively attract people to their company because just posting on a job board isn’t good enough.
In the current world of work, employees are no longer staying at a single job until retirement but instead are choosing jobs that align with their passions and values.
What Now?
Now that you know why employee engagement is one of the biggest challenges for companies, what does that mean for you? We’ve broken employee engagement down into 6 key areas so you know what to expect when you transition into the working world.
Purpose: Very important that you chose to work with an organization that matches your core values and beliefs
Health & Wellness: You can expect companies to have wellness challenges at work to encourage healthy living amongst employees.
Recognition: “Give them the roses, while they can still smell em”. Whether that be handwritten card or someone acknowledging you good work, the best companies make sure to let you know of your good work.
Communication: Transparency is key. Companies will often create an environment where it is safe for you to voice your concerns and speak without retaliation.
Personal Growth: Companies will encourage you to attend professional conferences and workshops to continuously grow in your career.
If you're in a job and want to learn how to navigate these important pilars of employee engagement, book a session with our career coach who can help you adjust to your first 90 days and beyond!