Company culture is a multifaceted idea, involving shared beliefs, values and norms of an organisation. It is vital in fostering a thriving workplace environment or doing exactly the opposite of that and creating a hostile environment to work in. This is why company culture is so important in today’s world.
Nine23 takes company culture very seriously, incorporating the concept and its evolution into our yearly growth plan as well as our newest 5 year growth plan. The Senior Leadership Team commented, “Nine23 recognises that the ability to execute a successful growth strategy has a strong dependency on the corporate culture.” Showcasing how truly important culture really is to the business.
Culture is a moving topic and can take on many different forms, for example at Nine23, we pride ourselves on culture of service excellence and professionalism shown by the team. Which is why, we have opted to engage with Culture15, the UK’s leading specialist in Defining, Diagnosing and Tracking corporate cultures for high performance growth companies.
Recently, every team member in Nine23 completed an anonymous survey, as an initial subjective assessment, responding to questions on our company culture, the results of which has now enabled Nine23 to more objectively manage its own Nine23 culture as the company evolves and grows.
Understanding Company Culture:
We know that company culture plays a pivotal role in shaping organisational identity and employee experience. A strong company culture starts with each individual creating a dynamic blend of these behaviours into the identity of the organisation. Culture largely incorporates the unwritten rules of the organisation by which interactions are guided.
There are numerous components which impact company culture, a few including:
- Leadership styles
- Communication practices
- Organisational structure
- Employee engagement and initiative
- Team dynamic
- Company rituals and traditions
- The decision-making process
Company culture is such a vital topic as the culture fostered by a company inevitably manifests itself into the way customers are approached and dealt with, the way employees interact with each other and collaborate, how they respond to challenges sent their way, and importantly how they celebrate success or failure with a task. It is imperative to note that company culture is not a stagnant concept, but rather an evolving response to both internal and external factors, such as market dynamics, societal trends, leadership change etc.
So what kind of impact can company culture have?
It can exert a profound force and influence on organisational performance, directly impacting factors such as productivity, key skills retention, innovation, and profitability. Positive company culture fosters higher levels of employee morale, job satisfaction, and overall well-being in the team. Furthermore, it plays a major role in attracting (and retaining) top employees to the firm, especially when the firm’s values align with their own. Major risk presents in a toxic work culture, risking employee engagement, cost – turnover, reputational damage and many more adverse effects.
Nine23 is highly aware of the nature and sensitivity of our clients enterprise and business activities. Whether Government agencies or Enterprise, they require the very highest levels of trust knowing that their data is protected and managed accordingly. Our core values of Trust, Integrity and Commitment are the bedrock of Nine23’s Secure Managed Services and are reflected across the company. It is vital therefore that we actively protect, maintain and nurture this cultural strength as we evolve and grow in an the company in a rapidly expanding market…
Assessing and Monitoring Company Culture:
Assessing and monitoring company culture is a strategic approach to evaluating the organisational health and effectiveness. By gaining insights into company culture firms can identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement, ultimately fostering a more positive and productive work environment. There are a number of tools and methods which could be used to evaluate company culture.
Some of these various methods include:
- Employee surveys –help to gather true feedback from employees on their perceptions of company culture, values and work experiences which is vital for leadership to truly understand and shape the internal community of the business.
- Feedback mechanisms – it is extremely important to create channels for open communication and feedback, such as for example, suggestion boxes, meetings, and or digital platforms.
- Cultural assessments – to analyse organisational practices, behaviours, and norms to understand the prevailing culture.
Collecting actionable insights from employees are critical to drive positive cultural change and continuous improvement. Receiving feedback from all levels of the organisation adds perspective from different parts of the organisation, providing clues about the different cultural impacts on the company. Within these levels, leadership has a significant impact in creating phycological safety in the company, a place where employees feel comfortable enough to share their thoughts and feedback for improvement. It is highly recommended that organisations prioritise their company cultures as it feeds into every area of the business and can drastically impact the direction of the company.
Implementing Cultural Initiatives:
Implementing cultural initiatives is essential for cultivating a thriving company culture. Effective implementation requires a strategic approach that prioritises leadership commitment, employee involvement, and open communication.
Leadership plays a major role in championing cultural initiatives, demonstrating visible support, and allocating resources.
Employee involvement ensures that initiatives are inclusive and aligned with the needs and values of the workforce.
Open communication fosters transparency and trust, enabling employees to provide feedback and contribute to the evolution of the culture.
By fostering a culture of continuous improvement and embracing cultural initiatives, organisations can create a positive and engaging work environment that drives performance and enhances employee well-being.
“Nine23 have flagged Culture as a key component (Key Success Factor) within its Five-Year Plan. As the company is facing increased market demand in Sovereign Secure Managed Services we recognise the strategic value of Nine23’s Culture today, and of its importance to maintaining and adapting the Culture as the company evolves.
However, we soon realised that before implementing a (management) plan, in the first instance we needed to conduct an objective company – wide Q & A Assessment, which served to both communicate across the company the importance we have placed on the initiative, and to establish a baseline measurable framework before making any assumptions or defining the culture plan objectives.
Culture15’s assistance and guidance throughout the process has offered clarity and objectivity in shaping our thinking and informing the SLT’s approach to incorporating Culture objectives into the Nine23 strategic plan”
– Alasdair Shannon | Chief Growth Officer
Final thoughts:
In conclusion, cultivating a thriving company culture is not just a goal, but a necessity for organisations aiming for sustained success and growth.
As highlighted throughout this discourse, company culture permeates every aspect of an organisation, shaping its identity, guiding its interactions, and influencing its outcomes. At Nine23, we recognise the profound impact of a positive company culture on organisational performance and employee well-being. By engaging with Culture15 and prioritising cultural initiatives, we demonstrate our commitment to fostering a workplace environment characterised by excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
As we continue our journey of growth and development, we remain steadfast in our belief that a strong company culture is the cornerstone of our success.
Together, let us cultivate a culture that not only defines who we are, but also propels us towards a brighter future.
