Shaping A Culture Employees Will Rave About

Written by: Greg Weiss When it comes to company culture, organisations must look beyond the boxes that need to be ticked, to start really walking the walk and creating workplaces that employees love to be in. Great culture is no longer just a ‘nice to have’. For many job seekers, it is at the top of their list as they go through the recruitment process. Many organisations make the mistake of skimming the surface of great culture, implementing initiatives that look good from the outside, but do very little to benefit the everyday well-being of their employees. Culture goes deeper than you think. There are big ideas like flexibility, diversity/inclusion, equality, and corporate responsibility – these are often non-negotiables for job seekers – but there are also smaller initiatives that can have a big impact on employees.

The reality is that company culture is no longer hidden behind organisational walls. Job seekers don’t need to make it to the interview stage to get a glimpse into what the company is really like.

Websites like Glassdoor, Vault, and JobAdvisor are giving current and prior employees the opportunity to share their authentic experiences in organisations – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Job seekers know that their time is precious. These websites help them to save time by avoiding the organisations that don’t invest in a beneficial culture and they can narrow down their search by looking for organisations that invest in the things they value.

The problem for organisations is that these websites are powered by ‘Peak-End’ theory. The theory, made famous by Daniel Kahneman, says that lasting impressions are created by the peaks of emotions (both highs and lows) as well as the feeling at the very end of an experience.

If individuals write reviews, they are likely to be highly influenced by Peak-End theory, even if they don’t realise it. This is why it’s typical to see both glowing reviews and scathing takedowns on similar sites like TripAdvisor or Google. It is much less likely that you will come across a review that sits somewhere in between – lukewarm emotions aren’t motivating people to share their thoughts with the world. This can be damaging for employers’ reputations, but it can also provide an opportunity.

How to use reviews to change your organisational culture

These reviews can be revealing for organisations, particularly because of the emotions that are involved.

If employees had an amazing experience, it can be great feedback to keep doing what you’re doing. If the reviews are negative, it’s likely that there are many action points. The important thing for organisations is to take these negative reviews seriously. The anonymous nature of these websites means that prior employees can speak candidly, giving you insights you may not have otherwise.

1. Look – for the reviews that reveal something important. For example, you may have been trying to make your organisational culture more welcoming to mothers who are returning to work after maternity leave. Perhaps you read a negative review from a mother who says she felt unsupported, that she wishes there was more flexibility at your organisation, etc. Feedback like this can show you that even if you have initiatives in place, they may not be working as intended.
2. Ask – current employees about their experience. Don’t wait until the offboarding process to get their feedback. The people who are most affected by your organisational culture are those who are in the thick of it right now. Regularly check in to make sure your initiatives are having the desired effect.
3. Change – employees can become frustrated when change doesn’t happen fast enough. Not only that, but prospective employees will read negative reviews and, if they choose to continue investigating your organisation, they will want to know what you are doing to create a better culture.

Organisations need to flip the lens on negative online reviews. While it’s true that they can drive job seekers away, they can also be an opportunity to learn, shape the company culture, and refine the offboarding process so that when employees do leave reviews, they’re motivated by positive emotions at every stage of their time with an organisation.

This article originally appeared in Career365 – Shaping A Culture Employees Will Rave About.

Are you ready to grow and scale your business?

Do the Scaling Readiness Quiz Now

Need help attracting and retaining top talent?

Take the Talent Pipeline Readiness Scorecard Now

Book a Free Initial Consultation on Sourcing Operational Leaders from One of Australia’s Most Respected HR and Recruitment Consultants

SCHEDULE HERE >>

Discover Top Talent with Soulidify

Recruitment At Soulidify, we specialise in connecting HR leaders with exceptional talent in Sales, Project Management, Operations, and Human Resources. As a proud member of NPAworldwide, our global reach and local expertise empower us to deliver bespoke recruitment solutions that drive your organisation forward. Talent Mapping with Soulidify

• Strategic Planning: Align your hiring strategy with your long-term business goals.
• Competitive Analysis: Gain an edge by understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors’ teams.
• Risk Management: Mitigate the impact of unforeseen vacancies and market changes.
• Enhanced Retention: Identify and develop potential within your existing team for future roles.

Talent Pipelining with Soulidify

• Immediate Access to Top Talent: Our affiliation with NPAworldwide provides access to a vast network of professionals across various industries.
• Custom Recruitment Solutions: Tailored strategies that fit your specific needs and corporate culture.
• Agile Response to Market Dynamics: Quickly adapt to industry changes with a ready pool of candidates.
• ong-Term Partnership: We believe in building relationships that extend beyond filling vacancies.

Let us help you navigate the complexities of recruitment while you focus on what you do best—leading your business to success.

With our expert services in Talent Mapping and Talent Pipelining, aligned with the expansive network of NPAworldwide, Soulidify.com.au is your partner in strategic talent acquisition.

Call us today for a free consultation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Greg authored 3 practical Career Books, and 1 Book helping Visionary leaders scale their businesses. He is one of Australia’s most experienced HR consultants and leading career coaches. He is the founder and owner of Soulidify and Career365. As an entrepreneur/business owner, Greg has experienced first-hand the joys and frustrations of starting and growing one’s own business. You can find him on LinkedIn or Linktree.