Building a Culture that Lasts a Lifetime

As a small business, we know it is essential to provide employees with opportunities to grow and succeed. Because of our employees, Stillwell + Co is able to live out our mission, execute customized marketing strategy, and deploy marketing, business, and growth services. No business can thrive without employees, so that’s why it’s important to create a culture that empowers individuals in the workplace. Healthy and thriving workplace cultures have characteristics like respect, trust, communication, collaboration, and a strong sense of community. No matter how excellent your growth strategy is, hard-working employees determine the success and longevity of any company.

Collaboration is Key

It’s no secret that happy and motivated employees deliver quality work and don’t stop until the job is done. A motivated team is vital to the success of any organization, and collaboration is the gateway to meaningful connections in work relationships. These connections are important to harbor trust amongst employees. By trusting your employees to collaborate on projects, internal system issues, and overall improvement of the business helps build a culture of confidence. Team members become comfortable leaning on their coworkers and leadership team for help, motivation, and encouragement.

Improving Systems

It’s impossible for a business to survive long term without putting clearly defined processes and systems in place. The systems that businesses create should maximize efficiency in processes, communication, collaboration, and more. Internal work standards should be readily available for employees to integrate themselves into every aspect of the business - the right way. Internal work standards might include knowing when and how to communicate, where to store data and information, and how team members are expected to collaborate with others. A successful business is also able to identify when a system or process isn’t working, and do their best to remedy it. Businesses should be continuously improving as they continue to grow and change.

Empowering Young Entrepreneurs

The Coronavirus Pandemic changed the business landscape drastically. More employees started working from home and gingerly refused to resume commuting. Thus, the rapid expansion of remote and hybrid positions came into play. Since the recent influx of fully remote positions, the population of women in the workplace increased to 47%. As a woman-owned business, it’s important that we work hard to build a culture that reflects women’s and men’s Individual and unique needs, equally, in the workplace. Our goal at Stillwell + Co is to be a business where everyone wants to work. We empower employees with a flexible schedule and fully remote work. Our small team resides in multiple states across the US and embraces the freedom to manage their own tasks, when and where they want.

Employees grow and flourish in their roles when they feel they are being trusted and looked to as an expert. Self motivated employees will ‌dive in deeper and continue their search for knowledge. These types of employees are likely to produce better work when given opportunities to pursue leadership positions.

Open Door Policy

An open door policy looks different depending on who you ask. For Stillwell + Co, an open door policy means creating a communication sensitive workplace that gives employees the power to use their voice. Giving employees grace and recognizing they have important lives that exist beyond the scope of their employment contract should be the standard, not the exception. We encourage business owners to use flexibility and understanding to assist their employees in taking the time they need and be present with their families. When we allow people to take time and recharge, to care for their families, they can be their best selves when they are working for you.

Building cultures that withstand the test of time need these elements: collaboration, well-oiled systems, the ability to empower their employees, and a commitment to honesty and integrity in the workplace. Empowering your employees to take control of their work will lead to a rich culture for you both.

Ready to scale your business? Read our business growing tips.