AKQA MD: How To Create A Thriving Company Culture

As technology advances, traditional 9 to 5 office hours are rapidly becoming a thing of the past, creating a growing threat of loss of company culture. In light of this, it is necessary for businesses to take responsibility for bringing their employees together to create a sense of belonging and purpose. Company culture is not created, but nurtured. It is shaped by employees, an inspiring office environment and purposeful work. Therefore, as a leader, it is your duty to make sure that all employees understand what the vision of the company is, why they are there and how to become successful. This will ultimately spark creativity and encourage a happy working culture. Clarity is key Your company story must be as transparent to a new employee as it is to someone who has been with the company for years. From the moment an employee walks through the door, it should be apparent that you care about their role and their contribution, assuring them that they have joined the right company. Rather than waiting for an annual meeting or special event to tell your story, tell it consistently over time in several small ways – keeping in mind that every move you make as a business exemplifies your brand values. Look beyond the now All employees share the same journey of the business together – yet there is more to an employee than just their job. As a leader, it’s important that you encourage conversation between different departments, to inspire each other through their own personal journeys. Provide access for employees to become part of your company story through multiple communication channels, each telling a different chapter. These channels are a tangible indication that you will listen to and address your employees’ cares and concerns, and will allow a true sense of diversity to shine through your brand. The encouragement of employees’ passions cannot be valued too highly. Immersing your company and employees into a brand story is fundamental to success. Explore other cultures and industries to broaden the cultural mindset of your employees. Bring the whole company together at least once a month for a business update. Invite a guest speaker to inspire thought and to host social events. Irrespective of how large or small the event may be, regular meet-ups go a long way in boosting company morale. At AKQA, we invite two employees to organise the regular Friday drinks run – a converted Virgin Atlantic drinks trolley. It allows everyone to gather and unwind. An Instagram moment As mobile working and hot desking become increasingly common, the one move that can eradicate all sense of a company’s story is to neglect the office space itself. Although it’s true that the office environment is created by the employees within it, it cannot be denied that an uninspiring work environment can quash the opportunity for inspired, creative work. I see this as creating many ‘Instagram moments’ for employees and guests alike. For instance, we achieved this by replacing the screen displaying our showreel in Reception with a commissioned piece of art about AKQA – ‘The Future is an Invisible Playground’ – created in lights by a local sculptor and poet, Robert Montgomery. Ultimately, once you have implemented a strong company story, with each employee telling their own chapter, you will have achieved a positive and creative company culture. Fancy working for us? Check out our live jobs on Glassdoor here.