Elevated HR Solutions: Culture Therapy

"Wow - it sure isn't what it used to be."

"Remember when we there was no such thing as..."

"It's just different now."

Do any of these phrases sound familiar in your organization?  Start-ups suffer from it most.  As companies grow, and more employees are brought on indicating success, something funny starts to happen. The old ways of doing things, suddenly don't work anymore.  Communication doesn't seem to be as free as it once was. Change of course, is inevitable. After all, if you aren't changing, invariably, you aren't growing either. 

But is there something an organization can do to keep that passionate, energetic buzz they had when it was just a four or five person team?  The answer is an emphatic "Yes!"

First and foremost, management has to agree they want to maintain the culture. They are the ones that have to continually believe in the original principles that guided them at the onset of their success.  Management needs to remind themselves of the core characteristics that define what it means to be at the company.  In addition to that, they need to review the values that underlie the character and behavior of the organization.

One of the recommendations I make to clients who are in the 10-15 employee mark is to create a time capsule that they agree to review annually.  Write down the keys to success and review with all staff annually - this demonstrates your commitment, gets buy-in and new feedback from employees and helps to maintain storytelling.  Storytelling not only connects employees to the company, it also connects employees with each other. 

Oh and one other task for management - be sure to make everyone own the culture from today and into tomorrow.  It's everyone's responsibility - if your staff are complaining, get them to be part of the solution. Cultural therapy is a requirement that begins with management but is supported by the entire community in your organization. 

Hiring for fit, encouraging the existing employee pool with rewards and recognition, keeping production teams small and scheduling regular Q/A sessions are keys to cultural therapy as well.

Want more info? Visit www.elevatedhr.com