Rewards All Round: Building a Strong Company Culture for Organizational Success

In today’s competitive business landscape, a thriving company culture is more than just a nice-to-have—it’s a critical component of organisational success. Elizabeth Hardwick-Smith, Group People and Culture Director at Pick Everard, shares insights on how to cultivate a strong company culture that benefits both employees and the organisation.

The Importance of Intentional Culture Building

A strong company culture doesn’t just happen by chance. It requires:

  1. Deliberate planning and investment
  2. Alignment with business strategy and values
  3. Involvement from all levels of the organization

Setting the Foundation

To build a strong culture:

  1. Start with clear expectations from leadership
  2. Integrate values and purpose into daily operations
  3. Introduce culture initiatives during onboarding
  4. Collaborate with managers to enhance employee experience

People-First Approach

Modern employees seek more than just a paycheck. They want:

  1. Recognition as individuals
  2. Meaningful work with purpose
  3. To be part of something larger

To meet these needs:

  1. Implement flexible policies that suit diverse lifestyles
  2. Create better engagement and performance schemes
  3. Develop reward systems that motivate and care for employees

Fostering Innovation and Accountability

Empower employees by:

  1. Giving them space to flourish and innovate
  2. Implementing schemes like “Lightbulb Moments” to encourage process improvements
  3. Rewarding the best ideas and involving employees in implementation

Recognition and Reward Strategies

Develop a “spot it, celebrate it” mentality:

  1. Acknowledge good work promptly
  2. Use bespoke competencies and values as a behavior guide
  3. Implement various recognition touchpoints, from quick messages to full-scale awards

Balancing Flexibility and Collaboration

Address the challenges of hybrid work by:

  1. Offering agile working policies
  2. Providing regular social and team-building opportunities
  3. Implementing enhanced family leave policies and childcare schemes
  4. Maintaining ongoing dialogue between managers and teams

Prioritizing Health and Wellbeing

Support employee wellness through:

  1. Flexibility in work arrangements
  2. Wellness support plans
  3. Trained mental health first aiders
  4. A dedicated wellbeing hub

Driving Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

Strengthen EDI practices by:

  1. Establishing a team of diversity champions
  2. Investing in EDI training
  3. Implementing a strategic EDI plan
  4. Welcoming external experts and establishing forums

Key Takeaways for HR Professionals

  1. Invest in intentional culture-building aligned with business strategy
  2. Implement people-first policies that recognize individual needs
  3. Foster innovation and accountability among employees
  4. Develop comprehensive recognition and reward systems
  5. Balance flexibility with collaboration in work arrangements
  6. Prioritize employee health and wellbeing
  7. Drive EDI initiatives throughout the organization

By focusing on these areas, organisations can create a culture where both individuals and the company thrive together, leading to improved talent retention and overall business success.