Is Your Company Growing? Avoid Culture Shock
If you’re currently growing your business, that’s great news! It’s hard to imagine a downside to expanding toward greater success, but there is one issue you could be experiencing without even realizing it: the erosion of your organizational culture.
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It’s hard to imagine a downside to expanding toward greater success, but there is one issue you could be experiencing without even realizing it: the erosion of your organizational culture.
Many businesses don’t notice or appreciate the culture they’ve established as a smaller business, at least until it’s gone. But in general, a business that is successfully growing has a unique workplace culture that’s an important aspect of what makes the company great—and as the focus continues to shift toward growth, that culture can get lost in the scramble for bigger and better.
Why culture is important
Defining organizational culture isn’t always straightforward. You know it when you recognize it—your workplace culture is a general, shared set of attitudes, goals, and visions that informs the actions of all your staff and represents the intangible aspects of your brand to clients or customers.
It’s not easy to maintain culture when your business is expanding. However, it’s vital to ensure that your company holds onto the overall image and driving motivations that made growth possible in the first place, or you could find yourself stalled at a plateau—or worse, sliding backwards.
Tips for cultivating culture during business growth periods
Not all change that accompanies growth is positive, and culture erosion is a common issue for many companies. It’s important to make sure you’re prepared for the cultural shifts that growth can bring about, so you can avoid potentially serious organizational disruption.
To help mitigate the risk of losing your organization’s culture:
- Account for the emotional factor. People are bound to get emotional when faced with any type of change, including business growth. From entry-level employees to C-level executives, there will be some form of emotional resistance—particularly when changes are instituted in the decision-making process. It’s essential to acknowledge the emotional side of growth.
- Prepare your entire organization. During any growth phase, make sure everyone on your staff is aware that changes will be made. It’s best to ask for input from your employees at every level before putting your growth plans into motion, particularly if the changes will be substantial and have a significant impact on the way your company operates.
- Communicate your objectives. Your staff will be far more likely to embrace changes leading to growth if they understand the endgame. No one likes to be told things will be different without knowing the reason behind the changes. Make sure you communicate the vision behind your growth plans, and help everyone understand their individual roles in the coming changes.
When everyone in your organization is on the same page, you can maintain the value of your workplace culture through business growth, and keep those qualities that make your company a great place. For more information or to contact a recruiter, visit our site today![/two_third_last]