Building Authentic Partnerships in Your Organization
At its heart, a company’s culture reflects its values and mission. Although HR often takes the lead in cultivating organizational culture, other individuals and teams can and must play a role in expressing and reinforcing these cultural elements, both within the company and to the outside world. When HR practices and brand strategy work hand in hand, it can lead to what might be called “cultural branding” – where employees naturally become ambassadors for the brand, and customer interactions tend to reflect the company’s values.
One key aspect of a positive culture is employee recognition. At Penn Community Bank, we’ve implemented recurring Team Member Appreciation Days, which have been tremendously successful. These events provide an opportunity to express gratitude in a fun and meaningful way. It’s remarkable to witness how such simple gestures of appreciation can energize our entire workforce.
Fostering a sense of community is another vital element in enhancing company culture. Our annual Day of Service at Penn Community Bank exemplifies this principle. This initiative not only allows us to give back to our community but also brings our team together around a shared purpose. We’ve observed incredible bonding and a renewed sense of pride in our organization through these events.
Investing in employee growth and celebrating achievements are also crucial components of a strong culture. Our “Here We Grow Hero” awards program has been particularly impactful. By recognizing
employees who embody our values and contribute to our growth, we reinforce what’s important to us as an organization. This recognition has created a positive ripple effect throughout the bank.
Open communication, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to work-life balance are additional elements that contribute to a positive company culture. However, it’s important to remember that culture isn’t static. At Penn Community Bank, we regularly assess and adjust our approach to ensure our culture evolves with our company and continues to meet the needs of our team and community.
Developing a strong company culture requires consistent effort and genuine commitment from leadership, and the rewards make it a worthwhile investment. Increased employee satisfaction; improved retention; and, ultimately, better business outcomes are all potential benefits of a positive companyculture.
In my experience, when you get your culture right, everything else falls into place. Happy, engaged employees lead to satisfied customers and a thriving business. It truly is a win-win-win situation.
As business owners, focusing on developing a strong, positive company culture isn’t just about creating a better workplace—it’s about laying the foundation for long-term business success. By prioritizing company culture, you’re investing in your most valuable asset: your people. And that investment is sure to pay dividends in the years to come.
At Penn Community Bank, we’re committed to continually improving and adapting our culture to meet the changing needs of our team and our community. We believe that this ongoing commitment to our people is a key factor in our success, and we encourage other businesses to prioritize their company culture in the same way.
