How to keep the culture in the office

The way your staff relate to each other is a key productivity driver, and the office culture is something that every boss should monitor. Happy employees tend to foster an atmosphere of creativity and satisfaction. The opposite is true, too. For every unhappy employee, there’s a corresponding drag on performance for everyone else. If a key team member voices concern, it’s likely that dissent will spread.

Positivity is a must-have element of the vibe in any office, and you can nurture a cheerful environment by giving your team the support they need. From grand gestures to small tweaks, there are many options. If you’re attentive, you should be able to put them into practice.

Incentives to succeed

Smart companies realise that employees need perks. If there’s a rigid culture of conformity, you might be stifling people’s natural urge to express themselves. Historically, company cars and other benefits have been standard in many professions. But there’s no reason to stick with the status quo, and you can offer tailored incentives too.

If you want to excite your employees with bigger and better rewards, get creative. Ditch the suits and ties and have people work in their normal clothes. Have a ‘bring your dog to work’ session every few weeks – or allow dogs to accompany their owners every day. Give your employees a few ‘duvet days’ to cover the days where they just feel ‘blah’. Get your sporty employees to set up teams and support them in getting some training. Provide unlimited vacation time.

What are you interested in? What would make your employees happy? From health plans to team holidays, there’s bound to be an incentive that works for them.

Tools and services

An empowered workforce is a happy workforce. If people feel equipped to do their job, they’ll be more motivated, and get more satisfaction from it. If you don’t support them with the right tools, they’ll likely feel resentful.

What tools do people need? Ask them. What about a car sharing scheme? A subsidised cycle purchase program? Better collaborative working tools? New smartphones? A small investment could improve their enthusiasm at work.

Freedom to work

Companies like Google have figured out that freedom improves productivity. While employees are expected to work hard, they are rewarded with frequent breaks, communal games rooms and flexible working hours. Far from being a distraction, this helps employees to feel more committed

Even if you can’t install a pool room, you could introduce a flexi-time scheme, or offer many employees remote working. Technologies like cloud file storage, hosted VoIP and cloud project management websites are making remote working a more attractive prospect for employers.

Celebrate achievements

When your employees do a great job, make sure their efforts are recognised. Not everyone wants to be the centre of attention, but a note, or a card, can show as much gratitude as an awards ceremony or team night out.

Be sure to recognise all contributions, from the mundane to the spectacular; they all contribute towards a positive work culture for the team.