Why Office Culture is Important in 2023

It’s 2023 and office culture is more important than it has ever been! We’ve entered this new post-pandemic world of hybrid work where employees move between the office and home. It’s more flexible, requiring greater agility from staff and a strong commitment to the ethos and objectives of their employers.

This makes office culture vital to the success of a business. A positive and healthy culture means employees feel united with each other and in sync with the company goals. This helps businesses to thrive and survive, no matter the conditions they’re operating in.

At Smile IT, we’re a managed IT services provider. We’ve got a service desk, industrial techs, software developers and IT consultants. Over the years we’ve developed an understanding of how important it is to have a unified and positive spirit resonating through our team. We feel there are a few things your business can do to help build and sustain a great company culture, no matter what industry you’re in. Here they are.

Building a Positive Office Culture

Start With What You Got

There’s already a culture in place at your office, regardless of whether you’re happy with it or not. This is your starting point – discuss with leadership and with your entire team what you like about your workplace culture, and what needs improvement. Using the suggestions made will be an easier change than dropping everything and starting from scratch.

Communication

We can’t stress enough how important communication is to an office culture, especially as the hybrid office environment becomes more popular. Crystal clear communication channels prevent misinterpretations and means staff know exactly what is expected of them and when. It also makes for easier collaboration and cooperation, leading to enhanced productivity and effectiveness.

Feedback

For employees to feel valued, communication between them and the leadership team needs to be a two-way process. Their opinions need to be heard and their feedback taken into account. This way they’ll be at ease sharing their opinions and feel encouraged that what they have to say matters in the workplace.

Focus on Health

Healthy bodies and minds are essential for a wholesome office culture, because when people feel their best they are happy and energetic. Promoting wellness within your organisation forms a foundation for positivity and brings the good vibes in. Accommodating people’s mental health needs and encouraging healthy diets and exercise, while providing the necessary tools and resources, will have huge benefits on your team outlook.

Be Social

Employees really don’t thrive in a workplace where they don’t know their colleagues and have little interaction with others. Provide spaces and opportunities for them to be social with each other and form solid workplace relations. At the Smile IT office, you’ll find a social space with a kitchen, dining area and table football setup. The bonds that are formed here help build a strong social foundation for our office culture.

Be Goal Driven

Setting achievable goals and targets unites your team and gives everyone something to work towards together. Reaching the goals provides employees with meaning and purpose, providing job satisfaction that transcends a paycheck.  

Lead from the Front

If you want positivity in your company, you need to exude it yourself. Promote it daily and make it your mantra, expressing gratitude, optimism and smiles at every opportunity. This will set the examples for your employees to follow.

Investing in the well-being of your workforce is as simple as implementing the above changes, but the effects on productivity, staff turnover and your business reputation will be huge. It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in or how big your business is, building a positive workplace culture will enhance the talents and efforts of your employees whilst encouraging their loyalty. Make it a priority today!