10 Tips to Begin Establishing a Culture of Performance

Is financial success important for your business?

Of course, it is.  That’s “business.”

I submit to you that the long-term financial success of your business lies within your ability to influence culture.

A Culture of Performance is built over time.  It’s essential to have a strong foundation and then to build from there. You build your culture by making key decisions every day that continue building upon the foundation.

What you’re developing first is employee engagement. From engaged employees, you can retain current customers and earn new ones. Therein lies the connection between culture and financial success.

So here are 10 tips to establish your foundation:

1. Be sure employees have a deep desire to win.  Cultivate an external focus – a desire to exceed customers’ expectations.
2. Empower employees an attitude of ownership. Empower them to do what’s needed to succeed.  Help them understand how their actions contribute to your company’s success.
3. Build a team mentality that praises collaboration.
4. Get the right people in the right positions.  A perfect start is to write recruitment ads that attract the right type of employee.
5. Hire only those who can uphold your company’s values. Nothing overcomes poor selection.  This builds enthusiasm and passion among your team.
6. Tie performance standards to your company’s strategic goals. Measure what matters.
7. Create an environment of trust. Do what you say you will do – repeatedly – and without fail.
8. Have a defined strategy for the future and communicate it to your team.
9. Give constructive feedback immediately. There should be no surprises during the annual performance evaluation.
10. Learn what motivates each employee. The best employees aren’t always motivated by money.

And 1 more bonus tip that we all know but sometimes forget to remember:

• Never treat your human resource like a liability. The human element is irreplaceable.

© 2014 Jessica Walter, MS, APR
All content provided here is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of any organization with which the author is involved. Although the author makes an extensive effort to provide a complete representation of facts, there may additional helpful information provided by other sources. Whenever researching your own situation or devising a strategy, it is recommended to gather information from many sources. The author sincerely hopes that you find this information helpful and urges you to be inspired, to inspire others, and to be gentle with yourself as you continue on your path.
About the Author
Jessica Walter is a Communications Strategist with a passion for inspiring companies to live into their full potential.  She’s found that the essential equation for long-term success includes Marketing, Culture, and Leader Development.
Jessica has been a marketing executive for a regional bank, a communications director for a health system, a public affairs officer for a Dept. of Defense command, and the assignment editor for a TV newsroom.
She holds a master’s degree in Leadership & Business Ethics from Duquesne University, a bachelor’s in Mass Communication from Towson University, and the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from the Universal Accreditation Board. She is also a Certified Lean Systems Leader.
You can reach her at jwalter@unbeatableresults.com.