How's Your Culture?

Covid-19 has created havoc in every area of our lives.  From the day-to-day business environment, to our home and work-life balance, the economy, and more. From a business perspective it is easy to point out all the affected areas - unemployment numbers, loss of sales, closing of locations, and of course the continued fear and anxiety within our communities and their customers. 

There are things we can’t control, but there are things we can control and ways to create change.  One of these areas for multi-unit franchisees is culture.  Franchisees implement the franchise-based culture into their locations.  Much of this comes from the training, branding, and service experience.

The pandemic has increased the need to make employees and the community feel safe. This has forced multi-unit franchisees to look inward and focus on creating a strong and positive work culture. It is not just about the service experience, it is now about the employee experience, and making everyone feel safe, protected, and taken care of.

By creating and maintaining a stronger and more positive work culture, you also create a stronger competitive advantage. You are able to recruit and retain the best employees and customers enjoy doing business with you. You create a feeling of trust and security with your customers and your community feels safe because your culture ensures everyone is working towards the same vision.

Do you know where you stand with your culture or have you been wondering how to create a stronger and more effective one?  Here are 6 key questions which can help you take action to improve your culture:

• Have we (everyone in the organization) lost sight of our primary purpose?
• What’s our identity?
• How well do people know and relate to our guiding principles?
• Can we deliver what we’re being asked to do?
• Does our behavior – what we do – confirm we have an effective work ethic?
• Are our recognition and reward systems aligned with what we want?

As you answer these questions, remember to continually ask what is working versus what is not working and what you can do versus what you can do differently. Once you have answered these honestly and considered what can work better and what you can do differently, you will have a strong sense of cultural health.  Pandemic or not, culture is not something you can choose to have or not have.  However, you can choose to have a winning culture!

Kendall Rawls knows and understands the challenges that impact the success of an entrepreneurial owned business. Her unique perspective comes not only from her educational background; but, more importantly, from her experience as a second-generation family member employee of The Rawls Group - Business Succession Planners. For more information, visit rawlsgroup.com or email info@rawlsgroup.com.