The COVID-19 pandemic has brought big and unexpected changes for most businesses, whether it is managing new remote work requirements, establishing work from home policies, trying to manage a team virtually, or even facing the need to downsize or right-size. But irrespective of the forced changes and overall impact the crisis has had on your organisation, keeping your company culture consistent is very essential to maintaining employee engagement and the overall reputation of the company.
Why Maintain Company Culture?
According to a Columbia University study, when companies have a poor culture, about 48.4% of the employees start considering voluntary turnover. Rising turnover rates in addition to the effect a mediocre or declining brand has on recruiting top talent, plus the effect of a discouraged workforce and the impact on – revenue, customers, and productivity – is profound. That study also revealed that more than 50% of executives agree that culture drives productivity and profitability.
As a result, we will be sharing 4 Tips for maintaining Company culture during a Crisis
1. Be Transparent
A lot of leaders take for granted the benefit of open communications and transparency. This might not really backfire when employees are working at the office. However, since most employees are working from home, their sensitivity becomes heightened. In order to cover up for the lack of physical interactions with employees, open communication and transparency becomes necessary so employees would not feel left out and can build a sense of loyalty to the organisation.
2. Focus on What you Can Control
During times of crisis just like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there is usually so much uncertainty and instability going on. It is normal for human beings to be anxious about external forces that may influence their status quo. However, leaders can control the tone or effect this would have on the working environment. When employees started working from home, several companies sent external monitors, routers and other network devices just to encourage productivity and ensure employees were able to focus on their work.
3. Listen to your Employees
Research has shown that work performance improves when employees trust that leaders are looking out for their wellbeing and interests. In order to understand the needs of your employees, listening is key. Never assume you know what your employees need but be open enough to communicate the fact that you are willing to listen so as to know exactly what they do need.
4. Be Consistent
Consistency is essentially what defines a culture. Leaders must be consistent in reaffirming their values and the culture of the company as a whole. This gives employees a reassurance of the value they provide to clients/customers and it would pay off in the long run.
There is a lot of uncertainty around the world right now. Remembering to perform simple, humanistic actions is enough to keep the spirit of company culture alive. Listening to your employees, showing that your care and making that empathy central to your culture matters a lot especially in times of crisis. This is the best way to keep the enthusiasm of work burning.
For enquiries on how to design effective human resource systems and build a sustainable culture for your business, send an email to smeblock@cr8careers.com
