How to Maintain Your Company Culture Past the Startup Stage?

Organizational culture plays a vital role and can impact the company's performance directly. From increased retention to elevating productivity, it can enhance your overall company's image. It is even necessary to improve the company's culture when you have moved past the startup stage. Growing and scaling your business is a good thing. However, it comes with various sets of responsibilities.    

One problem that most business leaders face is maintaining the company's culture after they have sustained and made considerable growth. If you're wondering how to keep your company culture past the startup stage, then you're at the right place. We have enlisted strategies that will help you maintain your company's culture.    

How to maintain your company culture past the startup stage? The following are some of the effective practices to improve workplace culture.

Keep communications open.  

One of the reasons most companies fail is that the employees feel that they are not being heard. The lack of communication could be a big failure that may harm your company's reputation. Therefore, you must keep an open channel and allow your employees to give their feedback openly. The HRs should consider taking surveys and regular input from the employees. 

Besides this, you should even consider keeping surveys anonymous. Certain employees might feel hesitant and will not be giving their honest feedback. Additionally, it would help if you thought of having regular meetings with your team to have an open-door policy.    

Rigorous hiring practice.  

Are you wondering what HR can do to influence the company culture? Then, you must note that they have a vital role to play here. The human resources department is responsible for finding and acquiring the right talent. After you have made it through the startup stage, you must look at the skill you're hiring. There should be no discrimination and biases between the candidates.   

Moreover, they should be selected based on their talent and skills. The HRs should also test their teamwork skills and see if they will be able to fit the role. It is necessary to understand that employee branding works exceptionally well. Therefore, HRs should pay attention to the talent and candidates. Hiring a wrong candidate or a wrong statement can impact the entire brand's reputation.    

Talk about your values.  

You should consider organizing meetups and take orientations where you communicate with the employees directly. Talking about your values and mission will help instill the values in the mind of the employees. It will even ensure that they have a clear set of expectations in their mind before joining. It is one of the practices to improve company culture that can help you in the long run.    

Be transparent and communicative.  

Once you start scaling, everyone gets occupied with work and different roles. You may be busy with meetings and may not have the time to chat with your team. However, it is necessary to understand that you need to take out some time and communicate with your team. While stakeholders and clients are essential, you also have to foster your relationship with your employees. Therefore, you should be transparent and communicate with them effectively. Talk with them about the company roles and plans that you might have in your mind.    

Take feedback from employees.  

Besides everything, you should also consider getting feedback from your employees. You must audit your company's culture and plan how you can improve the company culture. However, it is necessary to understand your employees' challenges. You must consider asking them about the challenges and find the loopholes in your current company culture. Consider all these as the foundation and change corporate culture aligned with your employees' challenges.    

Offer flexibility to employees.  

Most small businesses and corporations have adapted and offered flexible work scheduling to their employees these days. It is necessary to understand the needs of the employees and show them the right thing they need. The key is to keep your employees happy, satisfied, and productive. If the employees find flexible working more effective, you must consider offering them this to improve the company's culture.    

Host group meals and recognize their achievements.  

It is necessary to know your team members. To maintain that understanding and improve your company's culture, you must consider hosting group meals. It will provide you with an opportunity to get to know the employees. While they will also feel valued and be satisfied with the organization's functioning. It would be best to consider organizing events and offering the employees rewards. It will motivate and push them to do better.    

Keep the culture alive.  

Whatever initiatives or steps you take, ensure that the new environment reflects your company culture. Besides, it would help if you aimed at keeping your company culture alive every single day. Embrace and promote your company's culture wherever possible.   

You must consider incorporating these effective practices into your daily routine to maintain a startup culture. Practicing these strategies will be very beneficial when transitioning from the startup stage. Talk about your values, but also make your employees feel valued. Give them rewards and appreciate them for their accomplishments. Build your foundation using these strategies and improve your company's overall culture.