Building a company culture across business and borders

Building a company culture is one of the fundamental aspects of a business, no matter its size or location. How can this be done successfully when your business not only spans different countries, but different continents too?

The pandemic has shown us that location isn’t the be-all and end-all when it comes to getting work done. Gone are the days of a localised strategy and a five-days-in-the-office week, but the importance of a tribe and values remain. So how can bonds be formed to establish a lasting culture not just in a remote-first business, but in a cross-continental one?

Establishing values

Culture often starts with values, and values should be consistent across the organisation. Our culture at Kuda is underpinned by our values, and so long as every member of our tribe subscribes to the same values, then the foundations of a successful culture are already there. This not only ensures that the working environment is safe, but nurtures a culture of respect that is upheld by trust. 

Values don’t depend on location, but they do depend on people. If  you relate those values through consistent communication then it is possible to uphold them and ensure they stay relevant. 

Most importantly, everyone is an adult, and people should be treated as such at work. This means trusting them to meet deadlines and complete work to a good standard, and also trusting them to treat others with the kindness and respect that is fundamental to maintaining a successful company culture. Done right, this can have a significant impact on employee retention - according to a past Deloitte study, there is a 31% lower voluntary turnover for organisations that give regular recognition to employees’ work.

There’s more to Slack than work communications

The pandemic showed us the importance of tech in sustaining relationships between colleagues – and not just for updates on the to-do list. If the ‘Great Resignation’ of 2021 taught us anything, it is that working remotely comes with as many challenges as opportunities because connections in the workplace are often more difficult to come by.

If a company is fully remote, bridging the watercooler gap to form long lasting connections between colleagues should be close to the top of the agenda for nurturing an effective culture. This means making the most of all features of available work tools, not just the foundations. The Donut app for Slack is just one tool to foster connection and collaboration from anywhere, automatically introducing teammates who may not have otherwise crossed paths.

Beyond Slack, instilling a regular drumbeat of fun activities that involve team building is also important. It’s activities such as our Friday Fun Teaser, and DEI Quizzes all complete with points and prizes that will help to make our bridges to each other stronger, in spite of the physical distance.

Importance of having family-friendly policies

In an era where work-life balance has become increasingly important, companies are recognising the value of implementing inclusive life and family-friendly policies. These policies aim to support employees who are juggling the demands of work and family life because sometimes, life just happens and knowing you have an understanding and supportive company builds on the psychological contract with the company. 

By fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, companies can reap numerous benefits, ranging from increased employee satisfaction and loyalty to improved productivity and talent acquisition.

Companies that prioritise family-friendly policies demonstrate a commitment to their employees' well-being, creating a positive and nurturing work environment. Embracing these policies not only benefits employees and their families but also contributes to the long-term success and sustainability of businesses in an increasingly competitive marketplace.