Three Ways Corporate Ink Built a First-Rate Culture

Monumental shifts have changed our perception of workplace culture. Mid-day co-worker walks, lunch outings, and quick desk side chats are now replaced by Slack and Teams notifications and one-off video calls. Every idea that used to be tied to company culture now seems non-existent.

A first-rate culture doesn’t just happen, we need to build it. But to learn how to build it, you first need to know what constitutes a great culture. Below you will find the three steps to build the foundation for a killer company culture.

1. Establish A Social Environment

With the office comradery no longer a part of our daily work routine it’s easy to go some days without talking to, let alone seeing some of our fellow employees. Some days it can feel like our only co-workers are our desk and let’s be real, our pajamas—and if you are lucky, your pet.

How do we create this belonging and why is it so important, especially in PR? The first thing to remember is that although we might be miles away from our co-workers, they are still our co-workers. Company events allow employees to feel at home (both literally and figuratively) when they sign on each day. Whether it’s a bi-weekly happy hour, trivia, or a Corporate Ink favorite, wine tasting, co-workers will always have an event to look forward to.

Although we often work closely with our team members, they can still seem like a small picture icon on the screen. About 60% of workers who are working from home say they feel less connected to their co-workers now compared to before the pandemic. The pandemic has created a divide between co-workers that most are still trying to figure out, although I do have to say Corporate Ink is navigating it very well. Knowing that your co-worker once met a famous New York Giant might not be that rare. But knowing that Saquon Barkley shoulder bumped them while they were playing cornhole at Penn State? Now that’s a close-knit team!

2. Practice Flexibility

The days of a rigid 9-5, Monday through Friday are no longer. Allow employees to manage their own time. One crucial way to make your employees feel welcomed and trusted is to well, trust them! If the pandemic has taught us anything it’s that life is unpredictable. This is something that Corporate Ink understands and actively grants to their employees. Flexing hours and adjustable breaks give employees the ability to control the course of their day.

It’s one thing to tell your employees you offer a flexible work environment. However, it is more important to put specific practices in place that fuel this trust and encourage employees to take advantage. If it is logging in at 8am and off at 4pm or going on a mental health walk to clear their head, support your employees and meet them where they are.

Eighty-one percent of employees said they would be more loyal to their employers if they had flexible work options. A flexible work environment has many benefits for overall culture beyond retention. It can also improve employee wellbeing and increase productivity and engagement. I speak from personal experience when I say that flexibility in the workplace allows employees to have a healthy work-life balance. As we like to say at Corporate Ink “we work to live, and don’t live to work.”

3. Be Open to Feedback

Improvement and growth are part of a great culture. If you aren’t willing to hear from your employees and understand their needs and desires, you will never achieve a first-rate company culture. One thing Corporate Ink does to make sure their employees are heard is a quarterly survey in addition to frequent check-ins. The goal is to understand how everyone is feeling. It is easier to do your job when you feel heard and less frustrated. In fact, 74% of employees said they were more effective at their job when they felt heard.

Beyond surveys and check-ins, it is important to create real actionable change based on how your employees are feeling. Growing with your employees and their needs is the key to maintaining a successful company culture beyond the usual workplace standards. Afterall, your employees are the backbone of your company, if they aren’t taken care of your operations won’t run smoothly.

If you’re interested in a people first PR agency that recognizes all these important culture ideals and truly has a first-rate culture, check out Corporate Ink’s open positions.

P.S. make sure it’s in time for our next wine tasting!