How to Cultivate Your Company Culture

BY: KATRINA GLOWZINSKI

With engagement and recruitment being some of the largest challenges faced by today’s manufacturers, the importance of workplace culture cannot be understated. At the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (The Center), we understand the value of establishing a strong culture – it’s why we regularly post blogs related to culture. And it’s why we were so proud to learn that The Center made the list of the Detroit Free Press 2020 Top Workplaces.

Upon receiving this award for the second time in three years, it caused us all to reflect again on our organization’s culture. For decades, The Center has worked to establish a culture of trust and openness built on long relationships, both internally among staff and externally with our clients. Many of our employees have been with us for more than 15 years, with the average tenure being nine years. Our entire company sustains this culture every day, with some of our culture-focused initiatives at The Center including an online suggestion box that allows employees to submit ideas at any time, and quarterly company social events to boost morale and support team bonding. Through building this culture, we believe The Center’s team is now more engaged and effective than ever before.

However, our culture did not get this way overnight. Building and maintaining our company culture over the years took effort, dedication, and support from all employees. It required us to understand the fundamentals of culture, including:

What is culture? Culture refers to the shared beliefs and values of an organization’s members which provide meaning and influence daily work life.

When is culture created? Each time action is taken, it contributes to culture. When positive outcomes occur, it reinforces culture, values and beliefs. Culture is created in the actions we take (or fail to take), through the behaviors we model and allow, and from the beliefs carried inside each individual.

Who creates culture? Everyone within an organization helps to create and shape culture – from founders and managers to team members and entire departments.

Why does culture matter? Culture creates the foundation for the employee experience. If employees feel appreciated and engaged, it will show in business results. The same is true if workers feel disengaged and unmotivated. Companies with better cultures often outperform competitors.

For five additional strategies on how to improve your workplace culture, read our previous Top Workplaces award blog.

The benefits of creating and maintaining a strong company culture are clear – but the path to get there is not as obvious. To provide manufacturers with personalized, actionable steps to improve their cultures, The Center is now offering a course on Building Culture. Register for an upcoming class or learn more here.


MEET OUR EXPERT

Katrina Glowzinski, Human Resources Manager
Katrina Glowzinski is the Human Resources Manager at the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (The Center).  She has been with The Center for 21 years.  She is responsible for all aspects of HR for the organization, including recruitment, orientation, and benefits administration.

Since 1991, the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center has assisted Michigan’s small and medium-sized businesses to successfully compete and grow. Through personalized services designed to meet the needs of clients, we develop more effective business leaders, drive product and process innovation, promote company-wide operational excellence and foster creative strategies for business growth and greater profitability. Find us at www.the-center.org.