Boston Startup? How to Build an Awesome Company Culture

When you’re building a company from the ground up and you’re intensely focused on your numbers, it’s easy to neglect company culture. However, it’s important to start crafting your company culture now. Here are things you can start doing today to actively build an awesome culture.

Publish Your Core Values

Your values inform your mission and vision, so it is best to start here. Every company has unique values, and they can be things like delivering exceptional service, driving industry change, creating a collaborative environment, etc. Once you define your values, publish them for all employees to see.

Get Active in Your Local Community

People want to work for and buy products from companies that make positive contributions. The company should sponsor events and make donations, and leaders should get involved with local community organizations. This establishes your business is committed to corporate social responsibility, which will resonate positively with potential customers and potential employees.

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

Strong communication between leaders and employees is essential for a healthy culture. During regular staff meetings, make sure the whole group is in the loop on the company’s strategic plans and where things stand. Make sure managers and group leaders embrace free-flowing communication with their team members, as well.

Develop Rituals

Rituals that are unique to your company foster a sense of community in the group. Whether it’s the way you recognize achievements, the way you celebrate birthdays or a monthly volleyball game, these types of ceremonies and rituals are important to a healthy culture.

Hire for Value Fit

Yes, technical skills are important when hiring for your startup, but it is equally important to hire people who fit within your company culture. Cultural misalignment is one of the biggest reasons new hires don’t work out. Throughout the interview process, be open about your company’s values and mission and the type of culture you are fostering and always check candidate references to verify they can thrive in an environment like yours.

Plan Ahead

Your company culture ultimately determines how you will hire, who you will hire, where you will place people and how you plan for long-term succession as your business grows. It is essential to find people who fit in to your long-term vision.

You must also be able to attract the type of people you’re looking for and while culture is a major draw, you need to be armed with solid compensation packages, good benefits, perks and more. If your Boston startup is looking for ways to improve hiring process and focus on cultural alignment, Contemporaries, Inc. can help. Recognized as one of the best Boston staffing agencies, we can help you attract, source and hire the people you need to help your business grow. Contact the experts at Contemporaries, Inc. today to start the conversation.