When recruiting, company culture is a factor that both employer and employee are likely to consider. This makes sense for practical reasons: an employee that feels at home in his or her workplace is likely to genuinely enjoy his or her work and feel more engaged on an average workday. However, there are other financial realities connected to a match in workplace culture that should make it a priority for your business.
An article for Human Resource Executive Online (HREO) recently posited that companies can pursue greater financial performance with a strong cultural fit. Citing information from multiple studies, the source identified a possible “strength” in cultural unity within an organization.
At the same time, a different study suggests that individuals with “awkward” social skills within a company can also stimulate better performance in their own way, by bringing in new ideas and “beneficial tension.” This establishes a necessary difference between a monolithic, uniform culture where everyone thinks the same way, and one where diverse workers are genuinely in sync.
Writing for Entrepreneur, Sujan Patel recently gave examples of some of the most high-profile businesses that have a strong culture. These include companies in many different industries, such as Chevron, Twitter and Southwest Airlines. Although they all boast employee engagement for different reasons, they have had success distinctly tied to their corporate philosophies.
“You can’t beat having team members who are pleasant and friendly to each other, and are both good at and love what they are doing,” he writes, referring specifically to Twitter’s culture. “No program, activity or set of rules tops having happy and fulfilled employees who feel that what they are doing matters.”
Take steps to improve your culture with the HR software that will give you greater data on employee fit and performance during recruitment. This can include responses to specific questions as well as traits necessary to the position and the company.