4 tips for building a compelling company culture

4 tips for building a compelling company culture4 tips for building a compelling company cultureCompany culture is playing an increasinglylarger role in the job selection process.A few years ago, ping pong tables in anoffice started a trend of perks qualifyingas good company culture.Now, the stakes have been raised Google has in-office saunas, Basecamp allowsremote work from anywhere in the world, and Yahoo has a company gym with sand volleyball and basketball courts.The problem is, those perks are being confused with company culture.At the core of anycompany, there are values, beliefs, standards, and goals that have to be communicatedand well-received in order to guarantee success.Thoseare what make up company culture. As an entrepreneur, here are some tips from my experience that have helped my companysucceed.As an entrepreneur, here are some tips from my experience that have helped my companysucceed.1. Create a company vision that your employees should, and want to, embodyAs a lea der, it is up to you to institute a company vision that includes business goals, growth strategy, and values that act as governing rules for your organization. At Motivate Design, we have two rules that our employees follow and embody. Rule No.1? Use your best judgment. Rule No. 2? See Rule No.1. This vision is something that your team can constantly look to when things get crazy or feel misaligned. Write down your vision, print it out or put it up on the walls whatever you do, making it easy to constantly reference will fuspur its fervor within your organization. When you see someone embodying this vision, give positive reinforcement.At Motivate Design, we have two rules that our employees follow and embody. Rule No.1? Use your best judgment. Rule No. 2? See Rule No.1. This vision is something that your team can constantly look to when things get crazy or feel misaligned. Write down your vision, print it out or put it up on the walls whatever you do, making it easy to constantly reference will spur its fervor within your organization. When you see someone embodying this vision, give positive reinforcement.Write down your vision, print it out or put it up on the walls - whatever you do, making it easy to constantly reference will spur its fervor within your organization. When you see someone embodying this vision, give positive reinforcement.2. Establish clear parameters for how and when employees receive company informationIts up to you to decide how much to share with your staff regarding business decisions. To ensure a healthy company culture, clearly state how your employees receive that information and in what medium. No one likes to hear things through the grapevine, as it can often turn into a rumor mill. Whether it be a quarterly report, Slack channel or weekly meeting (like we have at Motivate Design), your employees will appreciate the opportunity to be filled inWhether it be a quarterly report, Slack channel or weekly meeting, your employees will appreciate the opportunity to be filled inon the latest information. This also creates a safe place to ask questions or for clarification around lingering issues. Use this to address concerns like staffing decisions (who is joining/leaving and why), changes in positioning (new offerings or services), current market trends and upcoming events.Use this to address concerns like staffing decisions (who is joining/leaving and why), changes in positioning (new offerings or services), current market trends and upcoming events.3. Find employees who identify with where the company is and where it wants to goThis piece is especially important in start-up and growth-stage companies. Things can (and will) change. And thats OK.As a leader/entrepreneur, this is something that you may even find unsettling or scary. Make sure your team is there to support, rally and advocate for you and your company when those changes emerge.Not everyone will be a fit for certain changes and staffing changes may n eed to be made. And thats also okay. But it will be easier for your employees to ride the waves of change when they are clearly communicated from the get-go. Review these at quarterly meetings where employees can work through these changes in a collaborative, creative environment.4. Feedbackis your friendYou are the leader of your company, but you cant do it all. A staff full of unhappy campers only makes for poor-quality work and a hostile environment. In a good company culture, its important to have an outlet for employees to provide feedback on whats going on in the day-to-day office life.For example, send monthly surveys with opportunities to collect specific and broad points of feedback, or create a company culture committee responsible for boosting morale and fixing issuesbeforethey become issues. Implement what you hear to maintain a happy and prosperous company culture.These arent the only things that make for good company culture, and ping pong tablesarea nice touch. But, i t is evident that communication might just play the most important role inwhat ends up shaping the culture.This article originally appeared on BusinessCollective.Mona Patel is Founder and CEO ofMotivate Design.