Over the last few years, we have seen major changes to workplace culture, from remote working to more agile and adaptable workspaces. ‘Startup culture’ has moved past the startup garage to the mainstream and has brought with it distinctive notions of what being a startup means for founders and their employees. A startup’s ‘culture’ is embedded in the internal and external philosophies that guides innovation. But, as startups grow and adapt to change, the definition of ‘culture’ is extended beyond a profit-centric model to one that encompasses important elements such as shared goals and acceptable behaviours.
According to Laura Gallaher, startups with positive organisational culture are those who adopt the ‘inside out model’. The model’s core starts with the founder, before moving out to a team level, and then to the organisation’s outward culture. As a founder, it is therefore up to you to define and nurture your startup’s culture. Here are some helpful ways you can foster positive startup culture:
Consistency
As a founder you should define your startup or workplace culture from the early stages of your venture. This is particularly relevant to your startup’s growth stage as it will give you a benchmark to work from. Aspects such as your startups core values, strategic goals and growth strategy should be clearly defined and then actioned. Most startups have values and mission statements, but not all execute them in everyday practice.
Communication
The acceleration and adoption of digital tools – like videoconferencing and shared file storage – has massively altered the way startups function. Though platforms have opened the door to agile communication, face-to-face communication is still just as important for rapport building and the maintenance of social contact and well-being. Founders should be adaptative to ensure that team members communicate with clients and each other both online and offline. Further, regular meetings and performance reviews can be beneficial in clearly setting goals and expectations.
Value Your Team
Your team is your biggest asset. Forbes claims that the ‘quit rate’ of new ventures is around 50-60% within the first two years. The leading causes are attributed to poor management and team composition, specifically putting too much pressure on employees to return a profit, all of which can be linked to workplace culture. Thus, appreciating your team members through your actions is essential to the longevity of valued staff members. Simple gestures such as noticing when a team member has gone above and beyond for your startup and rewarding them for it can make a huge difference.
Startups have the opportunity to break the mould and tackle workplace issues using innovative solutions. Founders who understand that the roadmap to success is embedded in a startup’s ability to create a healthy community, in which you and your team can thrive within, will have the best chances of success.
Need Help? Contact Us
At Allied Legal we help solve your legal issues in all areas of the workplace. If you want to contact one of our startup experts or learn more about how we can help, give us a call on 03 8691 3111 or send us an email at hello@alliedlegal.com.au.
You might also like our article Agile Versus Lean Startups.
