We often hear about a company’s “culture” and “vision,” but rarely do we really explore what each term means and looks like in practice. In the midst of a global pandemic, it is even more important that companies truly understand culture and work so they can successfully incorporate it for employees who are working from home.

Vision simply refers to a future goal or state-of-being that companies want to work towards. It is often tied in with a company’s mission statement describing the purpose behind their organization and reason for existence. The vision is meant to set the direction and course for an individual or company, and it is crucial to establish a vision to know what to work towards.

Culture refers to the attitudes and behaviors of employees, and it establishes the guidelines for what employees value and how they will work towards the vision of a company. Many companies know that good company culture means that people will automatically do the right thing and will move in the right direction. What many companies don’t realize is that good culture can override vision. No matter how clearly the company vision is articulated, a lack of strong culture removes any possibility of ever reaching or achieving the vision.

When companies have strong culture, employees will operate the same way and consistently do the right things. They understand not only what the company vision is but also how to achieve it in a way that aligns with the company’s values.

Culture extends past amenities and perks, and true success within a company is measured by strong culture and not the most places to eat or the most modern entertainment systems. When employees share values, they tend to connect better with their peers and be more productive. This is beneficial for employees to feel like they are making a difference within the company, and it is also beneficial for the company. Satisfied workers earn more from the company, and there is less turnover.

Forbes lists a variety of factors used to grow company culture, including employee wellness, employee input, clearly stated goals, sustained positivity, and fostered social connections. Employee wellness covers all things physical, mental, and emotional; and employers should work to make sure their employees feel happy and healthy in order to do their best work. Employers should also strive to listen to employee input about what works and what does not work and outline a clear set of goals and expectations. They should also encourage positivity and social connections between employees so that there is a sense of teamwork and collaboration.

The Work-From-Home Era

It is easy to grow and maintain a strong, healthy company culture when employees are able to grab lunch together and meet face-to-face. COVID-19 has radically changed the way we interact with family and friends, and it has changed how we operate on a day-to-day-basis.

One of the biggest challenges that COVID-19 brought was abruptly changing the location where people worked, forcing many to work from home when they had never done so. This change not only presented a variety of logistical challenges, but it also presented a heightened threat to company culture. When employees are only interacting through Zoom calls and other online forms of communication, is it possible to perpetuate a sense of company culture? Should companies even try?

The answer is yes! Now it’s more important than ever that companies focus on the wellbeing of their employees and doing all that they can to maintain a sense of company culture when employees are working from home. When employees spend all of their workday in front of a computer, companies have to get creative to find ways of engaging employees that are meaningful and impactful.

Companies can schedule one-on-one meetings between employees and encourage them to get to know one another. For employees who are new to the company, having casual conversations can help establish connections and create a sense of community, even if it just through webcam communications.

Another method is to plan unique experiences that break up the monotony of the workday and are exciting for employees. WellRight, a company that creates wellness programs for corporate groups, has recently set up monthly, company-wide virtual cooking classes where a chef provides a masterclass on preparing different meals. These classes transform a normal and sometimes dreaded routine of cooking into something fun that the whole team can participate in.

Lastly, employers can establish a strong sense of culture by offering full support for their remote workforce. In the age of COVID-19 it’s simply not realistic to expect that employees are sitting behind their desk for eight full hours. Employers should recognize that a different style of managerial leadership is necessary to navigate these uncertain times, and they should change their approach accordingly.

One of the most noticeable changes in transitioning to work-from-home is that productivity levels have changed. Many employees are dealing with a variety of new challenges such as watching over their children during virtual learning, yet many employees still feel pressure to be operating on the same level of productivity as they were before the pandemic hit. High expectations and the fear of “falling short” can be detrimental for employee morale and add more stress to an already stressful situation.

Employers should give their employees flexibility in completing tasks and recognize that everyone’s home life is different and has been affected differently due to the pandemic. One-on-one phone or video calls can be useful for managers to check in with their employees and see what they can do to improve their employee’s experiences and manage their workload.

Cultivating a strong sense of company culture can be difficult in the work-from-home era, but it is essential for productivity and long-term success of the company. Bhr Consulting understands the unique challenges that COVID-19 presents and is available to help companies of all sizes navigate these uncertain times. Give us a call today to see how we can help your company thrive in this new normal.