Today is Employee Appreciation Day: 3 Tips for a Great Corporate Culture

Friday, March 3 is Employee Appreciation Day - a day, when company leaders step back to celebrate and acknowledge their teams. Studies have shown that employees who feel valued and appreciated are happier and more productive employees. And, that recognition can be a big part of any business' corporate culture. In fact, a strong corporate culture also contributes to the company’s identity and can even help with retention.

To recognize their employees and set local businesses for a successful 2017, iTAN Inland Empire District Manager Monica Golloian shared three tips for creating a great company culture. Golloian oversees the company's Lake Elsinore and Wildomar locations, in addition to other salons in the Inland Empire.

She says that, while companies may define the terms differently, corporate culture is rooted in the organization's goals, strategies, structure and approaches. And, while there isn’t just one way of building and nurturing that culture, there are ways to create a culture that enhances the lives of employees and, in turn, customers. Below are her three tips:

Hire Passionate People. With the amount of time employees spend at work, it’s essential to love what you do and let others around you know it. With that said, Golloian believes it’s important to hire people who are passionate about your industry and brand. "For example, in our business, we seek out employees who are enthusiastic about beauty and wellness and are excited about our brand and culture. Through this, our employees can spread our culture throughout local communities simply by loving what they do."

Understand & Communicate Your Core Values. Core values help identify what makes a company/brand unique. "For instance, one of our goals as a brand is to help guests feel confident and empowered by their natural beauty. It is our job to make sure we do everything in our power to help individuals achieve their personal goals. And, because it is rooted in our culture, each employee understands this and can rally around our values to ensure we deliver on our goals and create the best possible experience for our clients every time they come into our salons."

Communication is Key. From clients to colleagues, effective communication is essential in every single relationship. Managers need to listen more and speak less to better understand employees’ needs. "Communication is an integral part of allowing us to collectively work together as a team to achieve our common goals," said Golloian.

The only constant in business is change. And, as competition continues to uptick, it’s essential to build and foster a great company culture. If you hadn’t given much thought to culture—it’s not too late. Celebrate your employees today and use the next day to improve and create a great work environment where your teams and clients can flourish.