Behind every healthy organization lies a successful company’s culture. Culture is known as the character and personality of an organization which is formed by beliefs, traditions, values, interactions, attitudes, and behaviors. Top management develops the culture keeping their vision in mind. It is their responsibility to communicate company culture to new employees successfully.
Organizations should invest their time, money, and effort in building, implementing, and maintaining their culture. It is highly essential that employees, middle management, and top management should all describe the culture of their workplace in the same way. Companies often struggle in communicating their culture to new employees. Communicating company culture begins with the onboarding of the new employee.
Communicate company culture to new employees
Having a strong culture can provide a competitive edge, build a reputation, and attract top talent. According to a survey, around 70% of the leaders and employees feel that culture is more crucial to the success of a company than its operation and strategy. Strong internal culture is built if the new hires are well-guided and communicated about the company’s culture. Therefore, introducing the culture to new hires must be included in the onboarding checklist.
Following are some smart and unique ways through which an organization can communicate company culture to new employees.
Use of Job Orientation
The process of welcoming and introducing new hires to their workplace is known as orientation. Companies spend weeks to months in this process. It brings an excellent opportunity for them to provide a complete detailed overview of its culture.
The human resources department can ensure that new hire is given a tour of the workplace and must be well introduced to the company. This warm welcome will help him understand the cultural dynamics of the organization.
Meet with the owners
The owner can also play a vital role in communicating the culture to new employees. Scheduling a one-on-one meeting with the CEO can make him comprehend the company’s culture.
He can share his view, thoughts, and opinions regarding the idea of the company. Moreover, he can share his vision, strategies, core values, and company’s purpose.
Communicate culture with buddy system
An onboarding buddy is assigned to the new hire to make him familiar with his job role and responsibilities. A buddy is an existing employee who is aware of the company’s cultural dynamics.
The buddy can inform him about the company rituals, ceremonies, heroes, stories, statements of principle, and so on. The new hire will know how to behave and act in the organization which will ultimately help him become successful.
Help embrace culture
Organizations should make sure that their new hires embrace the wider company’s culture. He should be invited to meet with the leadership team, and they should be allowed to speak to the leaders of the company.
Recognition and communication of culture are highly crucial for new hires as it is very likely that they feel isolated on their new journey. Every company would agree it is their culture to make them feel welcome in the company. This must be put into practice.
Share & communicate culture with candidate
Promoting the company’s culture at the beginning of the recruitment phase will be highly valuable. They should start to share and communicate company culture initiatives before they join the company.
Some organizations do share cultural perspectives and values with candidates in the very first conversation. This is beneficial for them as it gives them the opportunity to evaluate whether they are culturally fit or not.
Lead by example
Leaders who do not embrace their culture will lose its essence. They must delightfully appreciate and follow the culture. It is their responsibility to embody it.
Promoting a culture that leaders themselves are not a part of can be damaging. New hires will not be able to buy the culture. Therefore, the top management, leaders, and CEO must be an example of their culture.
Introduce team rituals
Strengthening the culture of your new hire through team rituals and traditions can be very effective. They are often a little nervous to meet their teammates on their first day.
Games, creative activities, and interactive sessions can make the new employees not only welcomed in the company but also help in making them more aware of the culture.
Employee-to-employee Interview
New hires must be provided with the opportunity to have a conversation with other employees as well. Interviewing existing employees will help new hires learn about the real culture.
It will provide employee with valuable knowledge which can make their tenure in the company successful. The employee can highlight how the thing works in the workplace.
In conclusion, using the above methods to communicate company culture with authenticity and sincere interest can guarantee success. Every organization wants to champion its cultural endeavors. For that purpose, they must invest their efforts in communicating culture through unique ways.
Conveying the true essence of culture can be a guideline for new hires on how to be most effective in their job role. Their effectiveness and efficiency will lead to higher productivity and overall job satisfaction. Employees will stay loyal to the company and feel more secure.
