Over the years, I’ve had many jobs and projects that have caused me to dread Sunday nights.
As a business owner, we conduct employee engagement surveys and take other measures of our company culture. But I’m often asking myself how my employees feel on Sunday nights.
If the answer is not great, chances are their engagement is not high.
Employees who work for companies with strong, positive work cultures are more engaged and, as a result, perform at higher levels. These companies realize better customer engagement, higher productivity, better retention, fewer accidents and 21 percent higher profitability, according to a 2018 Gallup poll. Engaged employees even report better health outcomes.
But these results require an investment in company culture and brand, and a sustained effort to protect both.
When companies put their culture and brand before profit, the latter will come. Compromise on the first two, and your company won’t be tethered to a value set that attracts employees who share it, or clients who want to buy it.
So, what are the key ingredients?
■ Recruit the best. Creating an unbreakable corporate culture starts with a highly selective recruiting process. Define what “the best” means for your organization. Make no apologies for it, and recruit for shared values as much as, or more so, than skills.
■ Get together, often. Do it for business reasons (all-hands meetings, corporate retreats, happy hours, etc.) and no reason at all. Laugh together and celebrate each other’s milestones. The bonds that will be built through these social interactions are priceless.
■ Live your values. Make them more than words on the wall by recognizing and rewarding employees who demonstrate them.
■ Remove the cancer. Be quick to terminate those who demonstrate behaviors inconsistent with your values.
■ Build your employer brand. Tell people who you are on social. Be candid. The clearer you are about who you are, the more you’ll attract those who fit.
■ Don’t be afraid to engage. When others tell your story for you on Glassdoor, Vault and other recruiting platforms, always respond. Thank them for their review, correct any inaccuracies and keep it positive.
Building and then protecting your company culture and brand are some of the most important investments you can make in your business.
They will also help you and your employees feel a lot better on Sunday nights.
Chris Miladinovich is a principal and senior vice president of consulting at ProspHire. Chris oversees client service for the firm. He is an experienced health care executive, strategist and entrepreneur adept at leading clients, and his own firm, through growth, transformation and stabilization. Chris is a health care thought leader with a deep understanding of the payer industry and government programs, and he built a highly successful, 50-plus person consulting practice niched in these domains. He is also a member of EO Pittsburgh. The Entrepreneurs’ Organization is a global, peer-to-peer network of more than 12,000 business owners with 173 chapters in 54 countries.
