Gamehill | Gamified e-learning platform
Gamehill | Gamified e-learning platform
How to effectively communicate company values to build a strong corporate culture?
Values are not only the key principles that define how they operate, but also the foundation that unites employees – regardless of their number, be it 5, 100 or 20,000. I’ve had the pleasure of working with a wide range of organisations – I’ve encountered different approaches to corporate values in different companies, both small and those with thousands of employees. Today, I will share my insights with you.
🤷 Values? Seriously...?
Unfortunately, not all organisations communicate their values in a way that is attractive and understandable to employees. They are often seen as something abstract and generic, leading to them being perceived as something…boring. Let’s remember that values are not just words written on an office wall. They are the day-to-day actions and decisions that are in line with these values.
While working with one company that has achieved a dominant position in its industry, I noticed how easy it can be for organisations at the top to lose focus on what is really important. Success often brings confidence, but it can also make you forget the values and fundamentals that contributed to that success.
In this particular situation, the company decided to remind its employees of the core values that have been the foundation of its culture and identity since its inception. This process was not just a simple reminder – it evolved into a wide-ranging initiative involving all levels of the organisation.
👉"Organisational culture eats strategy for breakfast".
The strategy determines the direction the company intends to take, but it is the culture that determines how the organisation approaches this direction. Culture influences employees’ day-to-day behaviour and decisions, their motivation and commitment. If the culture is strong and aligned with the organisation’s values, it naturally supports the implementation of the strategy, creating an environment where employees feel part of a bigger whole and understand their place in the company.
On the other hand, a strategy that is not grounded in the realities of the organisational culture is often met with resistance. Employees who do not identify with the company’s values, or who do not see how their work fits into the larger plan, may be reluctant to engage fully. In such a situation, even the most ambitious plans may be boycotted, not because they are bad, but because they are not seen as part of a common goal.
🎮Gamification - modern implementation of value
You may be wondering what implementing corporate values through a gamification platform can look like in practice. In my experience, it is a process that not only engages employees, but also offers concrete methods to educate them and track their progress. Employees can participate in tasks that simulate real business situations and require them to apply specific values in practice.
Each task is designed not only to shape skills, but also to influence the understanding and internal assimilation of company values. What’s more, through monitoring and reporting systems, it is possible to track how many employees took part in an activity, how intense their involvement was, and to what extent the values became important and meaningful to them.
Conclusions?
- Company values are the foundation that unites employees.
- The communication of values must be attractive and understandable.
- Organisational culture is crucial to the implementation of strategy.
- Gamification is an effective tool for implementing company values.
- Constant reminders of values are important, especially in times of success.
Remember that whatever the size of your organisation, company values can be the key to success. If you want your business to grow and thrive, don’t forget these fundamental principles that can inspire and motivate every employee. I am confident that by sharing my experiences with you, we can work together to build a better workplace that is quintessentially about the values we all care about.
📊CASE STUDY
Demant, a global leader in the hearing prototyping industry with a history spanning more than a century, regularly adapts to rapidly changing market conditions through transformation and restructuring processes. The latest change, involving the integration of the Polish branch into the company’s global structure, entailed not only a name change, but also the need to unify corporate values among employees. In this context, a key challenge for Demant was to ensure that all employees share the same core values and understand the company’s mission.
👉Find out more about the project „Demant Values”
In communicating company values, it is crucial not only to provide definitions of these values through clear messages, but also to provide a set of practical tasks that enable employees to learn from each other and apply these values in their daily work.