4 ways to shape, mold and transform your company culture

Your corporate culture encompasses the values, beliefs, behaviors and patterns that guide your company’s internal and external transactions. It defines how your employees and management behave in any business situation.

The challenge lies in the fact that a culture cannot be imposed. It must be nurtured and developed over time.

Companies with strong corporate cultures outperform their competitors by 20 to 30 percent, as professor James L. Heskett states in his book “The Culture Cycle.” As competition for talent becomes increasingly global, a thriving corporate culture is essential to attract and retain the best candidates. People naturally favor work cultures that inspire, motivate and uplift workers.

So, how can you influence and adapt your company culture? Try following these four steps:

1. Define your target culture.

Just as with marketing to your clients, corporate culture messages should be communicated and marketed to your employees via internal communications channels.

Defining your corporate culture gives employees clarity, direction and expectations, which all facilitate engagement.

2. Put your culture into practice.