Culture from wooden letters on wooden background
Richard Branson is the well-known founder of the Virgin Group which is one of the world’s most recognized and respected brands with over 400 companies, including Virgin Airways and Virgin Galactic to Virgin Media.
Branson has always expressed a different approach to business than his contemporaries. In Forbes magazine, he explains what he looks for in an employee. Let’s look at personality before the resumé. “A person who has multiple degrees in your field isn’t always better than someone with broad experience and a wonderful personality,” says Branson. He continues to underline that he’s willing to take chances on people and to promote from within: “It sends a great message to everyone in the company.” By taking care of your employees, they will take care of your business. Loyalty in employees prevail.
Business consultant and author of the hot title from Good to Great, Jim Collins agrees. “In determining the right people, the good-to-great companies placed greater weight on character attributes than on specific educational background, practical skills, specialized knowledge, or work experience.”
An environment that defines the personality of your organization is a combination of leadership, values, beliefs and interactions. This is Workplace Culture. Behaviors, engagement and attitudes are areas that need to be harnessed.
It is one thing to lay out the groundwork and values on paper, and it is another to inspire through authenticity, and not lip service. Workplace culture can be achieved by giving employees a chance to thrive and create a culture they want to be a part of. And they will. They will find a purpose and they will strive to improve. A trusted staff becomes an engaged staff. This will be to the benefit of any business. In 2017, the Virgin Group was voted the seventh best company to work for in LinkedIn’s Top Companies List.
Knowledge and understanding always come from listening. To encourage positive change, build unity, and grow stronger practice open dialogue. A Business doesn’t succeed without an engaged culture, so make your culture as significant and innovative as your business strategy.
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