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How Do I Measure My Organization’s Culture?

Beth Thornton

June 12, 2017

Implementing programs that cultivate a positive and productive workplace culture is a strategic business imperative. Once it is implemented, how do you measure workplace culture the results of your efforts? Instead of making intangible assumptions, learn how to track, measure, and improve your workplace culture to garner real business results.

Focus on Key Performance Indicators, Not Vanity Metrics

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are the measurements that give managers an accurate picture of where they stand. They help analyze performance and create measurable goals for the future. Vanity metrics, on the other hand, are fluff data that only serve to inflate a company’s ego. They do not give a representation of the company’s performance. Learning the difference between the two can improve the success of your efforts. Ignore vanity metrics, such as the number of employees who show up to an after-work party. This kind of data does not reflect how your company culture efforts are improving your workforce.

Instead, look at measurements that give you an idea of real ROIs from your work. Examine the morale of your employees. Are they happy with their jobs? This can help you understand the success or failure of your efforts. Look at the health of your organization, such as how well all levels communicate with one another. Communication breakdowns can point to a problem with how your employees speak to one another or interact. There are many KPIs that can help you measure the success of your cultural efforts in the workplace. Learn where to look and what metrics to ignore for a clear, accurate depiction of where your company stands.

Look at Your Employee Turnover Rates

Poor office culture can lead to top performers leaving your company for a brand with more to offer. Employees don’t want to support a company where they don’t feel welcome, appreciated, or comfortable. If you notice a high employee turnover rate or short average length of employee contracts, you may have an issue that centers on workplace culture. Here is where human resources training ROI comes in – the more you invest in your HR department’s resources, the more comfortable your employees will feel in the workplace. Make your staff members feel heard and respected, invite them to take part in feedback and planning sessions. Engaged employees will respond with a better work ethic and higher morale.

An empowered HR team and happier staff will lead to higher retention rates. When employees stay longer, it reduces costs helping your company get to the next level. Employee retention is a major indicator of how well (or how poorly) you’re performing in terms of workplace culture. An optimal workplace culture will attract new talent, retain top performers, and help your company maintain a competitive edge in its industry.

Get Help Measuring the ROI of Company Culture

It can be difficult to accurately gauge the success of your culture-related efforts in the workplace. With years of research and experience, we've created the ultimate guide to building a Culture of Excellence, which you can download for free here. Use a tool like Inspire that helps measure company culture to increase engagement, recognize achievement and gain insights into your company’s performance. We’d love to tell you more about taking your corporate temperature. Reach out to learn how Inspire can measure your company culture so you can create a place where people want to come to, stay, and thrive.