In a Changing World, Make Company Culture Your Compass
It is no question that companies should be checking in on their current company culture right now. Between shifting to a remote or virtual workforce and incredibly important cries for equality, businesses are being asked to evaluate their company policies, procedures, and overall culture. While this is fantastic, this is a practice that is not exercised nearly enough. It shouldn’t take a pandemic or political unrest for you to be checking in, following up, and adjusting for the current needs of your employees and customers. We get it, time flies when things are going great. Or there are bigger fish you have to fry, when things aren’t going so great. But, just like all great things, the benefits of this work will come with practice, so practicing often helps lay a foundation for success.
Much like Live Event production, you can’t get too stagnant with your company culture. You have to constantly be looking for a more creative solution, another iteration, and a shift in perspective, all while taking each participant’s wants and needs into account along the way. To find the right solution, we are tasked to do our research, approach it from several angles, and iterate until we get it right!
If this is a new practice, you may be asking where to start. At Bash Creative, we approach these constant evolutions the best way we know how - through feedback. However, we don’t just want one view on how we are doing. We want to know from our internal team, our contractors, our vendors, and even our clients. We don’t just want feedback to be a monolog, we want it to be a conversation. You will need to start by practicing Active Listening with everyone you are soliciting the feedback from. Once received, ask if you can talk through a solution with them and if they will join you in the discussion. Company culture is recognized in every aspect of your business so working together on a solution or shift can have big benefits. If your team is feeling supported, heard, and appreciated so will the people they work and partner with. Of course, the work cannot stop here for companies looking to grow and evolve their brand.
When it comes to diversity, inclusivity, and equality we all could stand to question ourselves more often. You may have been on the right track in the past but has there been a shift or new information that causes a re-evaluation and potential adjustment? As Jesse Jackson stated “Inclusion is not a matter of political correctness. It is the key to growth.”
So you’ve got the feedback, you’ve had the conversations, what’s next? We believe wholeheartedly in collaboration. Just like you can’t evaluate your policies, procedures, or culture looking through one lens. You can’t have only one voice when creating and adjusting your company culture. You want to be sure to surround your company with trusted advisors. These can be within the company to represent your team, professional services, or outside advocates for your company who have a pulse on your community. No successful leader has done it on their own - it takes a village! The point of this is, you want to have the support of those who have your best interests in mind and at the same time will point out your flaws and challenge you to grow. The truth can hurt, but it can also set you free.
Do not procrastinate! Building this into our daily, weekly, and monthly tasks is what helps us keep things top of mind. Make evaluating your culture the Polaris of your new company culture!
We encourage you to do the hard and, at times, uncomfortable work so you can reap the rewards and create a better version of your company. A version that your employees, your vendors, and your customers can all be proud of!
Bash Creative is an event planning company that specializes in incredible gatherings that go beyond just great design. We’re known for teasing out smart goals for your event and serve up a stylish execution that will keep your guests buzzing. Located in San Francisco, but often found in New York, Austin, Chicago, Seattle, and beyond.