How do I cultivate a positive corporate culture?

Managers must consciously foster the development of the CEO's vision and should take the following steps to increase productivity and promote culture in the workplace:

- Make sure employees have clearly defined goals and understand their professional growth path in the company.

- Develop open and trusting relationships with your employees.

- Interact regularly with employees, and offer praise or clear suggestions for improvement.

- Evaluate employees by their achievement of measurable goals, not by the hours they spend in the office.

Culture Shock
If you've got culture issues, there's no quick fix. Some companies organize after-work socials in an attempt to bolster their waning culture, but social functions often become obligations that consume employees' valuable personal time. To show your employees that they are a worthwhile investment in the overall success of the company, organize a social during work hours.

Make developing corporate culture one of the top five priorities for your business. Build your culture on clear vision, attainable goals, a genuine concern for your employees' professional growth, an appreciation of their contributions to your success and companywide rewards for successful performance.


Lana Holmes
Founder and CEO of Newhouse Consulting