Popularized by the vibrant tech startup community in Silicon Valley, a loose and driven company culture seems to be all the rage these days.

More than just an excuse to have fun around the office, a great company culture can be used to attract top talent, and many employees, millennials in particular, say they would take an exciting culture over a bigger paycheck.

Furthermore, many experts and consultants credit a company’s culture with the decisions that are made and the people who are hired. A good culture can generate momentum, push employees to innovate and keep morale up during tough times.

With all those benefits to developing a vibrant company culture, it is imperative that your organization establishes a culture that top talent wants to be a part of.

Build on what you already have

Trying to give your company’s culture a complete overhaul is going to be a tough sell, unless you start from a familiar place.

Start by reexamining your company’s mission statement and stated core values. Is your company driven by innovation and creativity? Is hard work the cornerstone of your business? Do your employees already have a significant degree of autonomy in their jobs?

Identify the qualities that already define your company, and emphasize them in your employees. Reward those who feed into your core values, and coach those who aren’t contributing.

Step up your communication game

The last thing today’s employees want is an executive team that hands down the occasional decree from an ivory tower.

Make sure there is a two-way communication between workers and management. That means holding regular one-on-one and group meetings to not only inform workers about the latest developments, but also get feedback on how to solve problems. Feedback from employees shouldn’t just be noted then stuffed away into the circular file. Actionable items need to be looked into and acted upon.

Employees also need to know, from day one, what the company’s vision is and what their individual role is in achieving that vision.

Put employees first

While conventional wisdom says ‘the customer always comes first’ – modern companies are turning that notion on its head. The thinking goes: If you take care of your employees, they will, in turn, take care of your customers.

In talking to your employees, find out what drives them as individuals and support their personal motivations. For example, if many of your employees are raising young children, consider implementing policies that facilitates the care of young children, possibly through initiatives like in-house daycare or paid leave for new mothers and fathers.

Often, these initiatives turn out to be cheaper than luring top talent with a large paycheck, and targeted perks can boost both morale and productivity.

If a talent acquisition solution is what your company needs to develop a new vibrant culture, feel free to give us a call. We can infuse your organization with individuals who best match the culture you are looking to create and grow.