Mission. Vision. Values. They’re the buzzwords of today, though they’re more than just a passing trend.
For employers, focusing on culture — underpinned by mission, vision and values — is essential to success. That’s because today’s employees say the No. 1 reason they’d choose one job over another is the culture, according to recent data by Korn Ferry. Just five years ago, compensation was the top driver.
While about 60% of respondents in a recent survey by Comparably say their employers appear to be getting serious about improving culture, there’s more work to be done. Here’s some information on how business leaders can get started:
1. Write it out.
You don’t have to have to paint your mission on the wall in order to remind employees about what you value (though if you want to, there are plenty of options). You do, however, have to make sure that guiding statement is written somewhere and that it’s referenced often. Why? Having a strong, clear mission will help you keep focus as your company grows and expand, and help guide not only your decision making, but your employees’ as well.
Related: Tell Us: Did the Interview Process at Your Current Job Embody the Culture?
2. Focus on the key decision makers at your company.
Company culture starts at the top, for better or for worse. According to data by Comparably, 1 in 3 people say their boss hurts company culture. If you’re looking to get a grip on your company’s mission, vision and values, get your senior leaders together. Hear what’s working for them, what’s not. Remind them about what the company’s mission is and offer practical examples for how to express that.
3. Think about tomorrow.
You know what your business is about today, but how about next year? Five years from now? Sharpen your vision and make sure you articulate it to your team. You’d be amazed at how many great ideas come about when you show people the destination and ask them to help you get there.
4. Look at your systems and processes.
Your purpose and mission should be palpable in every aspect of your business. It starts with the very first interview — are your interviewing and onboarding policies and practices in line with your core beliefs? This is important — 73% of people say the interview process at their company gave them a good idea of what the culture was like.
Related: The Top 25 Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
5. Remove the thorns in your company culture.
At a time when workers are choosing jobs because of the company culture, you must be willing to improve and remove anything standing in the way of excellence. Get your teams aligned properly. Invest in systems and tools that help people work more efficiently. Try to get the whole team on board and don’t be afraid to let go of those who don’t get it. That last point is particularly important — often, one person can be a major drag on overall culture. Show your employees you care by doing everything you can to make sure your company is a great place to work.
6. Look to your competitors.
What’s driving people to work at your No. 1 or No. 2 competitor? Is the pay better? The benefits? The diversity of their workforces? The overall processes? Do a hard examination; workplace comparison sites like Comparably, which offer culture comparisons between companies, can help. The most important thing you can do is focus on bolstering your employer brand so that you become the top player in the game. At a time when unemployment is low and companies are having to work harder than ever to attract top talent, you can’t afford to lag behind.
