Creating A Culture

Sometimes we forget the importance of culture in our business.  

A culture is important to keep the entire team on the same page, like a flock of

birds that flies in formation to reach the destination - you want your team to be flying in the same direction to get your business to its destination and beyond.

Setting and maintaining the culture within the business is very important.  The culture that I like to set is a hardworking, service orientated, fun and positive team environment.

In particular a positive attitude is important to me, so from the start I make sure that I am leading by example.  We all have those customers that are a little bit of a challenge at times, but there is a line between healthy venting, and making fun of every customer that comes into the place.

If there is a team member that is continuously negative this needs to be ‘nipped in the bud’ as they tend to be a drain on the rest of the team, and essentially bring everyone down.  This person needs to be spoken to and helped to understand that the negativity has an affect on everyone around them.

A negative attitude reduces productivity and satisfaction in the workplace.  If the negativity continues once the person has been spoken to,  then we must consider a more permanent solution.  This goes for any team member who isn’t following the culture of the business.

I also want my team to have fun and enjoy work, want to go the ‘extra mile’ for our customers and each other.  If someone is behind in their work, I don’t want to see people walking out at the end of the day without at least offering to help.

When everyone is following the culture and is operating on the same page, the real essence of team work comes into effect, allowing the business to move forward.

Take some time out to write down what you want your culture to be, and then assess where you think your team is at now.  Have a meeting to re-set the culture, and to ask your team for their input.  The team can't fly in the one direction, if the leader doesn't know where you are going.

Yours in great business,

Tanja