Keeping Company Culture Strong Through A Corporate Relocation
Company culture takes time for a business to build, and it takes work to maintain. External stresses and factors like employee turnover, promotions, retirement, and other natural business events can make it easy to lose sight of company culture. Another factor that can influence company culture is moving. Corporate relocation is often an exciting time for a business, as it brings potential for growth and opportunity. But in the midst of logistics and shuffling around, company culture can be forgotten. Conversely, a move can also be a perfect time to revisit and strengthen company culture by capitalising on the spirit of change and possibility that business relocation brings.
What Is Company Culture?
In essence, company culture is the personality of a business. It is shaped by the nature of the business, its leaders and leadership structure, and its employees. Company culture is also created by the company's mission, goals, values, and expectations. Like people, no two companies have identical cultures. Some companies have a team-based culture with an “all hands on deck” mentality, where everyone is encouraged and expected to share input and ideas. Others have a more formal culture where there is a defined hierarchy and employee roles.
Keeping Company Culture Alive
A company's culture is built by employees, managers, and their attitudes. Maintaining and building the company's culture is therefore a group effort. Having a strong sense of corporate identity before moving is key to ensuring that a company's culture and spirit stay alive, or even grow, following a move. It also makes a group move more successful, as everyone will have an interest in keeping the company's momentum moving forward in a new space.
While company culture is often referred to as a single term, it is actually comprised of several different parts. Its components include: mission and vision, communication, leadership, acknowledgment, employee engagement, and conformity. A company's mission and vision are fundamental to its existence. They define the direction that the company is going in and the role that everyone plays in helping it get there. Placing a mission and vision statement in a prominent location before and after a move is an effective way to make sure people don't lose sight of them as they transition to a new place.
Communication is also critical during a move. Employees will likely feel uncertain during this time. This means it's a more important time than ever for managers to offer guidance, support, and boost employee morale. As leaders, managers have the duty to act as mentors and guides for employees during the transition. Along with providing direction and support, this also means not losing sight of small achievements and accomplishments related to the move. Keeping employees informed of updates and milestones in the relocation process is a great way to ensure everyone stays interested and engaged. Giving everyone a defined job responsibility to make sure the move goes well, including something simple like unpacking boxes and organizing the cabinets, ensures employees feel appreciated, important, and engaged. Lastly, hiring employees in the new location who fit the company's culture is a natural way to strengthen and define the company's personality.
Strategies For Building Company Culture After The Move
After the dust of a move settles, it's easy to go back to business as usual and put company culture on the back burner. But a bit of foresight, planning, and attention can keep culture (directly or indirectly) on employees' minds. One simple and effective way to enhance company culture following a corporate relocation is by designing the new office space that caters to every employee's needs. This means creating an open layout that encourages collaboration but also provides quiet work areas for people who do their best work with some privacy. Planning the new space also lets you set aside communal gathering spots, like a kitchen, lounge, or picnic tables, where people can socialize and relax during breaks.
In the spirit of a fresh start, a move is also an ideal time to introduce innovative ideas, tools, and equipment to employees. This can include unveiling branded materials or investing in higher-level phones and computers. Employees will enjoy the excitement of having new technology to play with, which in turn will make them enthusiastic about keeping the company's momentum moving forward in the new space. Since business relocation typically occurs as a result of companies needing more space, it's a good idea to plan wisely for hiring and growth. This means having available workspace for incoming employees that doesn't just banish them to a corner or a closet.
Finally, arranging company events in the office following an office relocation is a perfect way to celebrate the new space while allowing employees to bond with each other. After having a chance to check out the new space, you can all spend time exploring the surrounding neighbourhood by planning group lunches, happy hours, and other social events at local establishments.
An office relocation can be a trying time for a company, as everyone will inevitably feel a bit uncertain in the transition. But getting through the move as a cohesive group can make the company much stronger and unified in the end.
