However, creating a strong culture is not an easy task and requires a lot of effort and dedication from all levels of a business. Nurturing a culture is not just about telling the world what your company is doing, but also about listening and engaging your stakeholders, co-creating that culture together.
Here are three ways your company can enhance its company culture this year:
1. Encourage open communication and feedback: Creating an open and transparent communication environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas can help to identify and resolve ESG issues.
A materiality assessment can be an opportunity to better understand what’s most important to your stakeholders regarding sustainability. For example, in a robust double materiality assessment, key stakeholders are given a platform to share opinions and experiences concerning their company’s material issues.
Such stakeholder engagement can help to enrich company culture by creating a sense of ownership and investment among stakeholders, as they are actively involved in ESG decision-making processes and are more likely to feel invested in the company’s ESG initiatives. This goes a long way when it comes to developing and implementing a sustainability strategy.
2. Foster a sense of community and teamwork: The stronger a company’s culture, the better employees understand what is expected of them and what they’re working towards. Engaged employees are more likely to stay happy, motivated and committed to your company.
A good opportunity is to link together your existing sustainability ambitions and actions to in-house, national or internationally recognised ESG days. This gives employees an opportunity to come together and build relationships to create a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose within your business.
3. Prioritise the wellbeing of employees: Providing resources, support and benefits that promote employee wellbeing, such as flexible working hours, employee assistance programmes and mental health resources, can help to create a more positive work environment and culture.
According to the CIPD, the professional body for HR management, prioritising employee wellbeing is “good for people and the organisation as it can help prevent stress and create positive working environments where individuals and organisations can thrive”.
Thanks to COVID-19, employee health and wellbeing has been pushed to the top of the business agenda and it is expected that this new significance will remain in the longer term as Gen Z are more concerned with working in alignment with their social values.
Want to learn more about nurturing your company culture, sustainability reporting or other sustainability-related topics?
Please get in touch with rachel.madan@luminous.co.uk.
