Nirit Peled-Muntz, Chief People Officer at HiBob
WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?
Building company culture becomes more challenging as companies move to hybrid and remote working models and add sites in different time zones. How does a company create an environment of trust and belonging when its people are not physically working in one location? HR tech fills that gap and helps to bring people together, wherever they are working.
The COVID-19 pandemic and sudden move to remote and hybrid working had a deep impact on the world of work. People started to reevaluate their careers and lives and left their jobs in record numbers, including 8.8 million Americans who quit their jobs between November and December 2021 alone. The “Great Resignation” has left companies with gaping holes in their workforce, which the current war for talent has made increasingly difficult to fill.
While there isn’t much we can do to fix the past, as people leaders, we can strive to create a better future. We need to retain our talent by creating a better work environment with a warm, welcoming, and inclusive company culture. We need to build trust by being transparent. We need to show our people that we value them and their opinions by asking for feedback and putting their ideas into action. And finally, we need to give our people reason to stay by offering opportunities to learn and grow.
Using HR tech to build company culture
Building company culture becomes more challenging as companies move to hybrid and remote working models and add sites in different time zones. How does a company create an environment of trust and belonging when its people are not physically working in one location?
HR tech fills that gap by providing a centralized communication channel for all employees. By creating a space for sharing important company news, collecting employee feedback, recognizing and celebrating milestones and achievements, and encouraging and building an open, transparent culture, HR tech helps to bring people together, wherever they are working.
A good place to start building culture is by creating a great first impression of your company for your new hires. Create a space on your HR platform with an introductory video, company photos, and your code of conduct to give new joiners a good understanding of your company vibe. Then, welcome them by posting a Shoutout with a photo and quick bio, letting your people know they have joined the company.
A positive company culture is friendly, inclusive, and recognizes its people, and Bob supports this with several features. For example, at HiBob we use our own platform, Bob, to post about different company initiatives such as activities or volunteering opportunities. We recognize teams or individuals who have made an impact or completed a special project by posting a Kudos to celebrate the achievement. We also use Bob to set up virtual Clubs based on hobbies or shared interests that help our people to find and connect with others on a more personal level. These small details help people to get to know one another and contribute to a warm and inclusive company culture.
But culture doesn’t stop here. Culture is also about creating a safe and inclusive workplace. For this reason, Bob includes Your Voice, an anonymous reporting tool that provides people with a safe place to report any personal concerns or workplace misconduct without fear of retribution.
Investing in personal growth and development
Your people want to feel that you care about their personal growth and development. Provide opportunities for growth by offering training courses and individual growth plans. Use goal-setting to help your people grow and develop and create an environment of continuous feedback that encourages your people to constantly improve.
You can also use performance reviews as a positive tool for empowering your people to grow and succeed. Bob supports 360-degree performance reviews that include reviews from every angle—self-reviews from every employee, and reviews from managers, peers, and direct reports. This holistic approach helps to avoid the biases associated with performance reviews and gives your people the tools to help them grow.
Continuous listening shows your people that you care
When building culture, it’s also essential to show your people that you care about their opinions. Use your HR platform to run surveys to get your employees’ feedback on topics such as the company’s leadership, returning to the office, or career development opportunities. Learn what your people want and need, what they’re satisfied with, and what needs improvement, and most importantly, use the feedback to make positive changes for your company. Finally, make sure you communicate those changes to your people. A company that shows its people that they are open and receptive to their suggestions will have greater retention rates and more engaged teams.
Create a positive culture to engage and retain your people
Your company culture is reflected in how you treat your people and how they interact with each other. Your HR platform can help your company build a positive, welcoming, and inclusive culture and ensure that your people are happy and satisfied. In this age of Hybrid work and the Great Resignation, where companies are competing for talent, it’s crucial that your company stands out from the crowd.