Reflect your culture…?
Being a visitor too many different offices you can very easily see from the working environment what sort of culture the organisation has.
Some are very obvious, projecting their product and services with a bit of fun around the team. The harder to identify are the big corporates, which may well have their values on display, however they don’t give much away as to what is like to work there.
Waiting for meetings in a reception area or if you are lucky a social area you can see team members come and go. Watching the interaction of colleagues and the general vibe as to whether they make you feel welcome says a lot about the company.
Waiting in a fun social area with a pool table and darts board with fruit and every drink imaginable you feel relaxed. Team members come and go taking breaks and a screen flashes up photos of their people with quirky facts about them. I got to see the face of several people I was about to meet before I met them in the flesh.
In contrast waiting in a very beige waiting area with an empty perspex magazine holder and no pictures, reflects a culture that has given up on its people.
Another example is the slick reception desk with a vast atrium and the team all in identical outfits does not show what lies beyond.
Think about your welcome area being the gateway to your business and your team. What do you want to share?
Top Tips to reflect your culture:-
- Welcome sign
- Company name
- Photos of the team (fun facts)
- Colourful and well lit area
- Papers/Magazines that are current or relevant to your business
- Drinks/fruit available
- Ensure that every member of the team who passes a visitor acknowledges them
First impressions of people happen in 7 seconds so exactly the same assessment is being about your company and your people. Take time to get it right and work for you and your people.
Please do get in touch for a workshop on culture bev@nuggetsoflearning.co.uk
