Learning about Company Culture through Data Analytics

Analytics is invaluable for data-driven businesses trying to create better company cultures by analyzing other businesses.

Many companies refer to themselves as data-driven organizations. Unfortunately, not all of these companies use data analytics strategically enough to thrive.

In order to become an effective data-driven business, it is necessary to understand what types of data to focus on. One of the most important things to do is use big data to study the effective decisions of other companies. This helps them utilize analytics to figure out what strategies will truly work the best. One way to use big data is to carefully study the company cultures of other successful businesses.

Using Data Analytics to Better Understand the Company Culture of Other Successful Businesses

A business is so much more than products, logistics, and customer service. Office culture and employee attitudes are key to helping companies thrive and succeed through the years. This culture is largely driven by the human element, but data analytics can play a huge role in shaping it. Companies can study various elements of company culture with data analytics and improve on them.

Creating an ideal company culture doesn’t happen overnight, of course. We spoke with business owners about the factors that create winning cultures, and how to make them last. Data-driven organizations can use analytics technology to study these issues more carefully and cultivate their own company culture that integrates these issues.

Communication at the Core

Communication is a very important element of any company culture. This is one issue that analytics technology can help with. Analytics technology can help assess various KPIs pertaining to communication between employees. Big data also helps with using technology that helps better facilitate communication between employees and external stakeholders.

“The best companies I’ve worked with take communication very seriously, no matter how big or small the issue may be. It goes beyond emails and phone calls. Memos, meetings, one-on-one reviews – these things all add up to a strong culture.” – Annabel Love, Co-Founder and COO of Nori

“Miscommunication is the first symptom of struggling company culture. I encourage employees and peers to communicate early, often, and on repeat if necessary. That saves so much headache and keeps teams together.” – Ben Thompson, CEO of Hardwood Bargains

“If your goal is to strengthen the culture of your company, it starts with strong communication from the top-down, and bottom-up. Everyone needs to be on board with the game plan. Make no assumptions and always double down on communication – it works.” – Raul Porto, Owner and President of Porto’s Bakery

“Feedback is our secret weapon for creating the best culture. No matter what your goal may be, open and honest feedback moves you forward.” – Gina Lau, Head of Team Operations at HelloSign

“The more you communicate, the less you have to worry about things like employee engagement, ambiguity, or a lack of direction for your company. It just makes everything easier and more cohesive for your organization.” – Bill Glaser, Founder of Outstanding Foods

Positive and Social Atmosphere

Data analytics could also help create a better atmosphere by analyzing sources of negativity and rectifying them.

“We take culture seriously, which means looking beyond the bottom line and making this a pleasant place for people to work each day. It takes more effort and an empathetic approach, but the results are 100% worth it when you look at the big picture.” – Shaun Price, Head of Customer Acquisition at MitoQ

“We’ve all had those jobs where the atmosphere is nothing short of miserable. It’s usually the result of poor management or just a lack of inspiration. Improve the fundamentals and a better company culture will emerge.” – Omid Semino, CEO of Diamond Mansion

“If you’re curious about your company culture, as a business owner, you can learn a lot based on employee satisfaction. If a company has a positive culture, employees are happier and stay longer.” – Benjamin Smith, Founder of Disco

“The best company cultures are rooted in an open-door policy and the desire to receive employee feedback. This increases employee engagement which, in turn, boosts retention rates. As a business owner, recognize immediately that feedback must be anonymous, and offer opportunities for your team to complete anonymous surveys. This way, everyone can share their experiences without the fear of retribution.” – Dylan Fox, Founder and CEO of Assembly AI

“Culture can’t really be measured – it’s more about the vibe you feel at the office and when interacting with other people in-person or online. Keep the energy and positivity high, then everything else will come together.” – Brittany Dolin, Co-Founder of Pocketbook Agency

Opportunities for Growth

Data analytics is also extremely important when it comes to helping the organization grow. You can identify major trends with predictive analytics tools and help pursue new opportunities for organizational growth. Analytics also helps with training and other growth opportunities at the individual level.

“Present opportunities for training, education, or interesting side projects within the company – your people will be eager to jump at the chance. This shows that you care about employees in the long run and not just the short term.” – Nik Sharma, CEO of Sharma Brands

“There are so many ways to reward employees beyond the boring perks we all expect. Help them become more valuable to the company and themselves by offering training or coursework to level up. That’s a sign of real, strong company culture.” – Bing Howenstein, Founder of All33

“I’m a believer in hiring the right people and giving them the opportunity to express themselves. Our company gives employees unbelievable amounts of power and autonomy.” – Blake Mycoskie, Founder of TOMS Shoes

“Employees want to feel like there’s room for growth and development in their own roles or beyond. Nothing is worse than a dead-end job, we all know that. Speak with employees individually and talk about their goals, because that goes a long way.” – Jeff Goodwin, Vice President of Direct to Consumer and Performance Marketing at Orgain

Dedicated to the Mission

“Culture begins with you, the leader of the company, setting a strong example with ethics and a relentlessly positive approach to each challenge. You represent the standard that everyone else will follow – don’t point fingers elsewhere.” – Roy Ferman, Founder and CEO of Seek Capital

“The best company cultures are those that allow for collaboration, innovation, and creativity. While it’s challenging to implement, open cultures that allow employees to speak their mind and provide insight on how things can be done differently are best for the health of the employees and the organization.” – Darren Litt, Chairman and Co-Founder of MarketerHire

“Your company’s mission is always No. 1 whether you realize it or not. If you don’t have a clear direction for the business, that will show up in terms of low energy and lack of culture. The strongest cultures always stem from a clear purpose and deep-seated determination to succeed.” – Chris Gadek, VP of Growth at AdQuick 

With the inside scoop from a wide range of successful business, you can see the power of a strong company culture for yourself.

It’s time to apply these lessons, revamp your company culture, and take your business to new heights.

Data Analytics is the Key to Thriving Company Cultures

Data-driven organizations need to find new ways to improve their operational policies. This includes using analytics to create great company cultures. Fortunately, analytics technology can be great for leading a wonderful company culture.

Author: Diana Hope

Source: Smart Data Collective

Why your copmpany should consider returning to the office

Raise your hand if you miss commutes, your cubicle and the limited offerings of the break room vending machine.

What, nobody?

Two years after the pandemic's start, much of corporate America isn't ready to leave remote work behind for a permanent return to the office — and I'm not either. However, it is essential to realize that, while working remotely might be more convenient for most people, having your team back in the office has benefits too. Allow me to make my case.

Increased touchpoints

Walking down the hall or even up one floor to talk to a coworker has never seemed like a big ask, so why do so many workers feel like sending a Slack or Skype message is going to throw the recipient's day entirely out of focus?

Communication is the first thing to decline when your company goes entirely virtual. Even in a hybrid situation, employees will have at least one day a week where they get subconsciously reminded that their coworkers are real people. Someone coming to your office seems much more urgent than a Skype message, but the reason is the same: they have a question or need something.

So why does one get an immediate response, wait-listed, or possibly never responded to?

The lack of in-person contact makes all the difference. The communal environment of an office, even if you only go in two or three times a week, serves as a reminder that people depend on you and that you need others for your success. It's easy to assume when you're working within the confines of your own home that whatever you happen to be working on is the lynchpin of the entire company — don't get defensive, even I'm guilty of this.

Bringing people together in the office is a good ego check and a reminder for everyone that they're part of a team. It's a reminder that their ability to contribute matters just as much as individual assignments.

Lack of company culture

Let's face it: it's hard to feel a sense of unity in a Zoom call.

During the early pandemic years, my agency was remote and had everything from morning huddles to our annual Christmas party via video conferencing tools. While they were a manageable solution given the global situation at the time, making it feel like a special occasion was hard.

The phrase "positive company culture" gets derided as employer-speak for "we don't pay a living wage, but we have an air hockey table in the office." However, as a business owner, I think building an uplifting workplace culture for your employees is essential. The air hockey table is negotiable.

Some younger workforce members might push back against this by saying, "We don't want company culture. We want no commute and more convenience." This mindset is completely understandable. There's almost no situation where I would advocate for a total return to the office if the job doesn't call for it. Even at my agency, my team is only in-house, typically on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and we have, in my opinion, an ideal company culture. I think it's entirely because of our in-office and work-from-home balance.

A workplace culture that includes transparency, collaboration and communication does not come from a brick-and-mortar building. However, to keep a tight-knit team well-oiled, there needs to be real-world interaction between team members. Otherwise, everyone gets a little too comfortable and starts radio silent, all working as individual units and not as part of a whole.

The hybrid model

Finally, from personal pandemic experience, I can tell you that the ability to work all week from the comfort of your bed is what you think you want. It's nice for a week or two, but you eventually get bored. No endorphin rush comes with clocking out because you are already at home, and the walls between your professional and personal life begin to fade. You start to miss all of the water cooler talks you took for granted because now you have to send a message through Slack or Basecamp to get a hold of someone.

Few people, including myself, will argue for the total return to the office. For computer-based and primarily stationary workers, one can't justify a five-day-a-week commute and expect employees to stick around. That's not the market nowadays.

However, let's not pretend there is no value in having your team together in the office a few days a week. Increased productivity, communication and reinforcement of positive company culture are best enforced when all your team members are working together, especially if you have a small team.

Author: Cristopher Tompkins

Source: Entrepreneur