At its core, corporate culture defines the nature of an organization. It is the shared set of values, beliefs and ideas that influence every aspect of the company, from work environment to the way employees interact. Up until recently, it was built within the confines of a company’s office space. Today, with COVID-19 changing the way we work, company culture will not only need to permeate the workspace, it will need to extend into the homes of the workforce.
Are the choices and actions you’re making now, as you prepare your facility for workers’ safe return, reflecting the culture and the values that define your company? Are you prepared to help your employees grow and succeed in the post-coronavirus work environment? Here are a few key questions to ask yourself if you want to strengthen company culture.
1. Is your space (brick and mortar as well as virtual) inviting or motivational for those working in it?
In order to maintain safety precautions recommended by the CDC, the post-pandemic office is going to look a whole lot different. We can expect to see more space between desks, partitions, privacy panels and/or higher walls between desks. There may be new rules about the way we use common areas and we might see sanitizing stations at intervals throughout the office. All of this may have a significant impact on employee morale and company culture.
Consider some strategically placed wall murals that reinforce company values and inspire employees. Studies show that choosing the right color palette in the office can motivate, enhance mood, and even improve the cognitive performance of your employees. The same ideas can extend beyond the office walls. When meeting with your employees over Zoom, take advantage of the opportunity to reinforce company culture with your backdrop. Proudly display your company logo as a virtual background or hang some motivational posters on your home office wall.
Keep in mind there are four distinct generations co-working today. An inviting and motivational office environment will accommodate the needs and wants of each of those groups.
2. Has wellness been added to your office to enhance your employees’ well-being?
A good company wellness program provides employees with incentives and tools to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors. It can also go a long way towards reinforcing company culture. When enrolled in a wellness program, employees report greater job satisfaction, are absent from work less frequently, and are more engaged.
And, wellness programs aren’t just good for employees’ health and well-being, they’re good for a company’s bottom line, as well. Studies show that a well-executed wellness program can generate tangible effects on productivity levels, employee retention, and company profits.
A quality program can include so much more than gym membership reimbursements. With a little creative thinking, you can transform an underused conference room (or even a large closet) into a wellness room. The sky is the limit when it comes to design and function of a wellness room, but it’s generally a place to escape from the stressors of the workplace. Consider adding any one of these wellness rooms to your workplace.
3. Is your mission and vision branded in the office through use of colors and murals?
“Cookie cutter” interior design solutions that don’t take your company culture into account will fall flat. Your décor should respond to the function of the space, speak to the audience it is intended for, and align with brand identity. A custom wall mural— whether it’s comprised of lettering and typography, a scenic view, or a branded logo—can go a long way in promoting brand awareness. Company colors can also be used to reinforce your brand and should be applied strategically throughout the office, with accent walls, floor design or other key elements.
Shining a spotlight on your company’s mission and vision around your office daily, can promote positivity, enthusiasm, and connection among employees. And by keeping morale up, you also foster productive, satisfied employees who will become your company’s greatest advocates.
These are just three questions out of 30 or more that we, as professionals, would help you address to ensure you choose the right product at the right price. PARflooring and PARsolutions are experts in all-things “facilities.” We handle the details so that you don’t have to. We get it right the first time, every time, so you can focus on what you do best. Contact the experts in our PARsolutions division to discuss your project needs today at (973) 292-0089 or info@teampar.com.
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