Workplace Culture: Why and How to Cultivate It

As the Magic Valley continues to expand, new companies move in and existing businesses grow, that means a need for a strong workforce. Businesses thrive when they have the right people, and recruiting and retaining that talent often comes down to company culture.

​Leaders of the #1 ranking workplaces in Idaho came together to discuss what makes their culture work from small businesses like Tribute Media to macro employers like Idaho Central Credit Union. What’s the secret to their success? Here are the key takeaways from the expert panel to help you implement their strategies at your own workplace:

SMART VS HEALTHY BUSINESS
Culture and results go hand in hand. As Dale Dixon, CIO of BBB Northwest, said, being smart and strategic is the meat and potatoes of a successful business. But a healthy culture is the plate you put those meat and potatoes on. In other words, you can’t hold the strategic efforts together without that healthy culture and strong employee-centered environment.

DEFINE YOUR CORE VALUES
Core values aren’t just catchy slogans, but an authentic and realistic vision of who you are as a company. These values should come from within, through input from your own employees and company goals. What is important to your company’s mission and how will that help you and your employees thrive? Identify what that should look like and live by them day to day.

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ENGAGE EMPLOYEES (FROM START TO FINISH)
Consistency is key. From the first job interview, to orientation, to every day on the job, your culture should help employees thrive and be engaged at every level. Make sure at the job interview that the employee will be the right fit. Once they’ve joined the team, check in and ask how they’re doing, what has worked and what might need to change. This doesn’t just have to be a yearly review, but a quarterly, monthly or even weekly check in. Listening to employee concerns and identifying and understanding their strengths and weaknesses can ensure they’re doing their job well and help them understand why they are central to the company’s success.

Whether you’re trying to maintain culture for a multi-location corporation to a 10-person office, these takeaways can create a thriving workplace and help your company retain and recruit the best talent for you.

The Best Workplaces program can help organizations understand the strengths and weaknesses within their company to ensure a strong future. If you’re interested in becoming the next top workplace of Idaho, check out the program and how you can get started at bestplacestoworkinidaho.com.

​Have questions about recruiting talent to your Southern Idaho business? Leave a comment below or get in touch.

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