15 Budget Saving Culture Improving Ideas For Any Start-up.
The happier your employees, the more successful your Start-up. Blending all aspects of culture is a powerful addition to your business strategy, even initially. As a Start-up founder, you have a chance to influence the lives of your employees as your business grows. Performing small cultural boosting exercises will improve morale and encourage people to stay with you as your business grows – the best part is creating a positive company culture doesn’t need to cost a fortune.
Implement “Innovation Wednesdays”
If you’re noticing, your team is starting to lack creativity. Try implementing Innovative hump-day ( weekly or fortnightly), a half-day practice focused solely on innovation and creativity. Creativity exercises offer various excellent benefits for both individuals and teams.
Create an ideas box.
Surveys and feedback forms are a great way to engage your employees and give them a voice.
Be adaptable.
A flexible work environment helps to lower employee burnout while championing a happy and healthy culture. Every employee, including business leaders, deserves to find a balance within their work and personal life.
Talk to your people.
It makes a difference if every voice is heard and acknowledged. Focus on the positives, show your appreciation for their efforts before communicating the negatives, and regularly offer praise.
Develop strong boundaries
Create and uphold healthy boundaries for working after hours (when unnecessary) and during time-off. Encourage staff to use out-of-office replies and to lean on their team while away.
Create a community within your workplace
Take the time to celebrate your people. Bringing everyone together to refresh and rejuvenate will help forge a bond within teams and across your business.
On a Friday, finish work on time.
We all know that our productivity level starts to fade by Friday afternoon, so don’t waste time sitting there pondering what work you should be doing. Save it for Monday.
Motivate people.
It’s your job to motivate and lead your employees. Hold regular meetings, both as a team and one-on-one. Focus on the positives, show your appreciation for their efforts before communicating the negatives, and publicly offer praise.
Set-up employees up for success.
Are there any policies, tools, people or equipment keeping your staff from performing their work and reaching goals? Spend time removing roadblocks. This small act will increase happiness, creativity and boost productivity. Set up your employees for success, and watch how it directly impacts their wellbeing and self-worth.
Believe in and practice a healthy work-life balance.
Set clear boundaries and expectations for working after hours or at home, time off and availability. Make a rule of not contacting staff after working hours and make use of out of office replies – the emails can wait! Managers set an example with their actions – employees will follow and respect these boundaries for themselves and others.
Read the room.
Take the time to know and understand your employee’s mental health. Then, encourage employees to leave an hour early after an incredibly stressful day. Schedule weekly team lunches, go on a walking meeting or plan a team-building activity that brings everyone together.
Create a space dedicated to health and wellbeing.
Allocate space in the office for staff to sit, clear their mind or even meditate. Don’t have any space rooms – turn a conference room into a calm space for a few hours every day. Providing a dedicated area creates a mini oasis for employees to access when they need some time alone.
Reinforce health through your existing newsletter or intranet.
One of the most significant hurdles for companies is trying to turn awareness into direct action. Offer simple, quick tips to let your staff know that you take their health and wellness seriously – it creates a healthier, less stressful space.
Encourage your employees to spend some time recharge.
Be it 5,10, or 30 minutes; everyone needs time to relax, refocus or recharge their effectiveness and productivity.
Try walk and talks.
Instead of having one-to-ones in your office, go for a walk and talk. You’ll find the fresh air, movement, and carefree nature will create an open space for your people.
Make Fridays – meeting free!
One tweak to your weekly schedule could make the difference between your people accomplishing their objectives and scrambling to keep up with the day-to-day.