Culture has become somewhat of a buzzword in the business world. There’s a lot of talk about the importance of a good company culture, and the role it plays in the retention of employees as well as customers. But, what exactly does this term culture mean, and more importantly, what steps can you take to ensure that yours is top-notch? Let’s take a closer look at the answers to these questions below.

What is Culture?

Harvard Business Review defines company culture as “the tacit social order of an organization.” It goes on to say that culture “shapes attitudes and behaviors” and that it can “define what is encouraged, discouraged, accepted, or rejected within a group.”

Another piece from HBR states that “company culture encompasses a variety of elements, including work environment, company mission, leadership style, values, ethics, expectations, and goals.”

In short, the culture within your property management company drives the way people interact with one another and the decisions they make. Obviously, you would want this culture to be one that promotes positivity, engagement and collaboration. Unfortunately, not all company cultures are this way. In fact, many are downright toxic, leading to employee turnover and customer churn.

Whether you’re in the midst of repairing a damaged culture or are simply looking to ensure that yours is on the right track, read on for a few expert tips.

How to Improve and Strengthen Your Workplace Culture

Ultimately, your company culture should make employees feel safe, empowered and supported to perform at their best. As a result, your customers will receive superior service and be more likely to stick with your company for the long haul. Here’s how to ensure that this is the case:

Prioritize Wellness

Supporting the wellbeing of your employees is more than just a cliché to make your property management company look good. Happier, healthier and more balanced employees will be on the top of their game performance-wise. Furthermore, people appreciate knowing that their employer truly cares about them, whether it’s offering a free or discounted gym membership, providing access to mental health resources, or simply offering and encouraging ample time off.

Provide a Purpose

If there was anything employers learned from the recent ‘Great Resignation’ movement, it’s that today’s employees are no longer satisfied with things like salary and retirement accounts. They want to feel like the work they’re doing contributes to something bigger. They want to feel a sense of meaning and purpose. To deliver this, show your employees, in detail, how their day to day actions impact customers as well as the company as a whole.

Listen

In addition to knowing that their work is meaningful, employees also want to feel heard by their leadership. These individuals are the ones in the trenches, day in and day out. Nobody knows better than them how processes and workflows could be improved for enhanced efficiency. Likewise, these employees are painfully aware of the roadblocks and bottlenecks that are hindering their performance. Invite, encourage, and most importantly, implement their feedback and suggestions.

Recognize and Reward

The strongest company cultures are those within which employees feel appreciated for their dedication and hard work. It’s not difficult to create an environment where people are routinely recognized and rewarded for their efforts. It doesn’t even necessarily have to be something of monetary value. Sometimes just a pat on the back, a ‘thank you’ or a shout out in the weekly meeting can go a long way toward making your team members feel valued.

Invest in Them

Want to improve your workplace culture? Show your employees that they are worth investing in. Whether it’s paying for educational opportunities, providing them with quality furniture and equipment, or supplying them with property management technology that makes their jobs and their lives easier. Additionally, investing in advanced tools, like automation, which can shift the day-to-day drudgery from human to machine will free up your staff and enable them to focus on tasks that they enjoy.

A strong, positive company culture will improve how your workforce performs, thereby boosting service levels and customer satisfaction at the same time. A more productive workforce and happier client base can then provide you with a distinct advantage over the competition for greater long term stability and profitability.