Ask Gerber: How to Identify Your Business's Culture When You Don't Think You Have One
December 6th, 2019
Every business has a culture whether they know it or not. 
The question is, is your culture deliberately nurtured and actively managed? Or is it running rampant and being influenced by other people?
Culture is the lifeblood of your business, and you have one the minute your business is launched. As the leader, you are responsible for setting and driving the company’s culture.
In our experience, we’ve fou
nd that the number one reason an employee works for a company is because they believe in the mission the company is built on—its core values and its WHY. The second reason is the quality of the people they work with, and the third reason is the respect they receive from their direct supervisor. All of these reasons are rooted in culture. Compensation comes in at fourth, proving that while salary is necessary to support oneself, most employees place value on culture. You can have the best product in the world, but if your culture sucks, you’re never going to make it.
So how do you define and nurture your company’s culture?
Start by establishing your core values. These are the guiding principles that define your organization and its purpose. Your core values are not just created, but are LIVED every day by every member of your organization. You hire and fire against these core values, practice them, and make business decisions that are aligned with them.
At Gerber, our core values are the following:
Be Present + Be Positive Bold Pursuit of Excellence Healthy Sense of Urgency Live + Breathe Entrepreneurship
We are accountable and reliable to our clients,
but there’s fun and laughter in our culture as well. We plan team events, happy hours and retreats that strengthen our relationships and further define our goals.
As your business grows in terms of customers and employees, it’s important that
your leadership team understands and lives the business’s culture. You won’t be able to be everywhere and manage everyone, and there will be layers of managers between you and your employees. It’s important that the personality of the business resonates with your managers and each individual, so your culture is carried on even when you are not physically there.
We want to know!
What is your company’s culture and how do you nurture it? Tell us your story on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn!
