Michael Beer’s article speaks about the components that make up a truly effective “work culture” and provides insight to new companies on the ways they can engage their employees.
Beer begins by stating that traditional incentive based rewards such as bonuses and commission simply don’t work. Instead, employers should strive to instil employee-to-employee bonds if they wish for their workforce to be both satisfied and productive. He also states that the CEO must promote an agenda that exceeds the day to day activities of the employees, for example promoting healthy living or a certain lifestyle. He also states the importance of developing an employee culture deep rooted in values of commitment, respect and accountability.
Companies should promote core values like integrity and respect throughout the workplace.
Perhaps the most important is that work culture must be organic and cultivated over a number of years. It isn’t something that is easily built and can take up to 10 years to fully develop.
I believe Beer’s interpretation of an effective work culture is an accurate account of what is truly necessary to be a successful company. By the example of companies who dominate their industries at the moment, for example Apple, Google or Zappos, they each have aspects of their employee culture that embody the above mentioned characteristics but are intrinsically unique. Just as products produced by a company must be differentiated, I believe the lifestyle portrayed by a company must align with its purpose and appeal to the upcoming generation.
Google offers its employees trendy hangout spaces as well as free food and exercise facilities.
It is truly an interesting view which opposes the traditional methods of running a company which entail employing people who will produce the greatest output while neglecting a work-life balance. While in the past this may have been the most successful way to run a company, I believe a holistic approach to work is both healthier and may yield greater results.
Reference Link: You can’t engage employees by copying how other companies do it.