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Culture isn't snacks or happy hours, it's how you make people feel everyday. Put the focus there instead!
I gotta add: I just started a new job and when I arrived I had brand new laptop, keyboard, mouse, and... phone charger. Honestly, I thought that was so incredibly thoughtful: it took into consideration what my actual day to day experience at the office would be, and saved me having to bring an extra one just for work. It’s so small but definitely the nicest onboarding thing I’ve ever received, and that includes first day lunches and stuff.
So consider your employees actual lived experience at your office. They always charging phones? New cables. Going to the kitchen for more water? Big water bottles (reusable!). Wearing blankets and sweaters in the office in summer? Turn up the heat/down the AC, or if not possible, nice blankets/sweaters (none of that branded crap nobody wants to wear that). Always going to that one coffee shop? Have the beans from there brought in house to save them money and a trip. Coats slipping off the backs of chairs? Coatracks at every other pod.
Observe your people and look for ways to improve what they’re already doing.
Truly user-centric design 😃. Some companies have roles like “employees experience specialists,” I imagine what AD1 describes is the core function of their job.
One of those money blowing machines
@SC1 You’re assuming the agency even has POC. I can’t believe how lily-white most agencies are.
I've always tried to create the culture you want, by living the culture you want, whenever possible. I was a director at a digital agency, remote resource who travelled every week. After so many evenings eating at the hotel lounge or whatever, I realized I could be the change I thought the office needed. So I started organizing field trips once a month (in NYC) for the practice I was in (UX) plus one "guest" practice each trip. We went to art/design exhibits, a history of Silicon alley at the NY historical society; an escape the room outing; a pinball gallery; etc. Drinks and appetizers out after each event. And really be democratic - invite the help desk staff and accounting, etc. I found smaller groups to be great, a recurring event on a regular basis (so I could tell people it was fine to skip it,another would happen the next month). No outing was any kind of forced team building thing - just visits to things that I thought would generally interest people. I just expensed it as I went, got a little more ambitious each time. I figured if I went to far leadership would just tell me.i was never told to stop, I think people enjoyed it. I know I did. But the more organic and authentic it feels the better. And if it feels a little bit like you are getting away with something, and it isn't some big sanctioned event, that's even better still.
Compliment cards. They get fun names and stuff but honestly just positive reinforcement and thanks between people at all levels makes a huge difference, and the cards will help encourage that.
Then solve people’s problems. No amount of beer and snacks in the world will overcome an old laptop, crappy desk chair, too-low temperature, ugly crumbling wall, or noisy fan. Literally design a nice place to work.
One work from home day each week to all employees.
Gym membership or in house gym
Diverse work force with women and POC in roles of power and authority across all depts.
Clear culture of accountability and integrity. Do the right thing, always.
This
A competitive salary, work life balance and good health benefits do more for culture than any activity you can suggest.
Equal pay
PREACH
Snacks and events are not culture. They are a bandaid or a distraction. Strip away our micro kitchens and other “stuff” and most of what makes a strong culture here is a clear value system, trust in your team/leadership, permission to try and fail, and investment in employees (training, access, mobility, pay, etc). Far from perfect but consistently surprised at how simple things like thank yous, or giving feedback regularly to each other, etc drive culture and a shared belief system.
D5 is hands down had the best culture I’ve worked at. Dinner every night, which started bc david thought families break bread together. He started that when they were a handful of people and still happens today. While snacks and food aren’t culture this actually had purpose and something the founder believed. In addition there are great events, company meetings, lovely random surprises on your desk- like the solar eclipse - receiving glasses on our desks with a lovely note so we could all go outside to see it.
Granted it’s a tough place to work but the people that really care about the work go there so there is a unified vision, more so than any other big shop I’ve been at
Dinner at the office bc he “thought families break bread together???? “
What about dinner with my actual family? You know, spouse and kids? 🤔
Is everyone there single and childless?
Sports or team games of some kind
It's hard work to make sure that we don't turn work into a replay of our teenage middle school selves. But it does work great at forming new bonds that last a very long time. No amount of candy bars or slack-based kudos will last as long.
An extra day off for performing well, volunteering, donating to company wide charity fundraiser etc.
At one agency the entire agency closed one day a year to work together on a mandatory volunteer project. We transformed schools with fresh paint jobs and gardens, did full day teaching events with seniors, and made huge differences quickly. Great to see the agency’s president working physical labor along with the interns, to get to know colleagues in a different setting and feel good about our day. My favorite part of that agency’s culture
We do kudos at monthly employee meetings where anyone can nominate people they feel are representing our values. You give name, value, and how they are meeting that value. All names and notes are shared via email and 2-3 get selected randomly each month for a special prize like a dinner, massage, etc.
Value my time. Hire more art directors when you see that I'm consistently working over 40 hours a week. Maybe then I'll have the time to go to and appreciate your events.
The labor movement fought for 40 hour work weeks. We can't normalize 50 or 60 hour weeks because other people have it worse. I've worked 80 hour weeks, and I wouldn't wish the abuse on anyone. But no matter what, we can't slip up on what's right. If we don't fight for our time, holding companies will gladly take it.
Unlimited PTO
I would challenge that negative review directly based on your adherence to corporate policy and the fact that your work did not suffer. Hold management accountable. If they challenge you, leave.
Agree with several people above...you can't force culture...it isn't something that happens through a monthly event. You have to walk the walk- believe it, live it, breathe it...and most of all, be authentic about it. You have to be willing to put the people at the center of your org and take care of them...because when you take care of the people, you're ultimately taking care of the business...and it starts with the most senior leaders in the organization making their people feel appreciated and valued. When people WANT to work for you, the rest comes naturally...transparency, open/honest comms, culture of feedback...and all of this leads to better work...and ultimately, a better business. It seems so simple and yet so many businesses cannot seem to get it right.
Axe throwing
At the post it wall
My company does a Summer Office (not a party but a remote work trip) - this year its glamping at a surf site in the south of France!!!
Director 1, is the Board of Innovation a European company? Are there US offices? That looks super cool!
Pay people with the money you’d use for these office culture perks. Also let them go home to their family and friends at a decent hour, instead of requiring extra time from then to attend after hours events. The pressure to do so is unfair to those who have other commitments or just don’t feel the need to spend their free time with coworkers. You also have to consider that some people are sober, some people have religious reasons not to partake, some people are introverted and not comfortable in forced social situations. The culture of work simply needs to be you show up for work, you do great stuff and you go home to the rest of your life. Anything else - this is your life, we’re family, etc - is disingenuous and time not paid for.
Nerf gun war. Movie night at the office. Concerts. And if all else fails, free stuff. Lunches. Trips. It doesn't matter what. Just let the team enjoy it together.
🍺 not beef. LMAO.