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“Company culture is the backbone of any successful organization.” -Gary Vaynerchuk
At Mowery, providing clients with a remarkable construction experience requires continual effort and focus. Over the past 95 years, the Mowery team has created a culture where we work hard, have fun, and value each other, which has led to engaged employees; increased employee morale, productivity and loyalty; and a memorable customer experience.
As a result of COVID-19 and Mowery’s “safety is not optional” foundation to keep the team, their families, and our community safe, Mowery implemented a hybrid work model and increased jobsite safety procedures. This new work approach means office employees come into the office on specified days and work from home on the others. In the field, the number of employees allowed on a jobsite are limited. With all these changes, it can be difficult to keep company culture alive.
At Mowery, because culture is everything, we have worked hard to find ways to maintain a strong bond even when the team cannot be together. Today, learn how the Mowery team has maintained company culture during COVID-19 and tips any business can implement!
Continue to Offer Culture Elements
During these unprecedented times, it is important to think about employees and their needs. What do they enjoy most about the company culture? At Mowery, team members enjoy company picnics, continued learning opportunities, half-day summer program, and how we treat clients to name a few. Whatever the case may be, it is critical to build upon these elements in a remote work environment.
For example, at Mowery, employees value learning opportunities. To continue to provide the team with ongoing education during these challenging times, Mowery is paying registration and/or course fees for employees to participate in virtual trainings and certification programs, so they can continue to develop their skill sets. Finding new ways to incorporate an employee’s favorite culture elements will not only make remote working more enjoyable, but it will also help maintain company culture until everyone can be together again.
Make Human Connection a Priority
Human connection plays a key role in an organization’s culture. When everyone is together in the office or on a jobsite, there is an energy that cannot be matched when working remotely. However, just because a team cannot be together does not mean all team bonding must stop. As a company, it is critical to find ways to turn a teams’ favorite activities into virtual events.
At Mowery, before COVID-19, Friday happy hours were a tradition. Now, we offer virtual happy hours via Microsoft Teams where employees can learn how to make specialty drinks and catch up with one another. Check out our most recent happy hour where team members learned how to make grapefruit palomas. In addition to the happy hours, Mowery frequently hosts company “watercoolers” where everyone is invited to get together virtually and stay up-to-date on what is happening with the company and each other.
Other ideas include hosting a company trivia night or bake night where team members can come together and participate in a fun activity via video conferencing, all while staying connected to their co-workers. Offering virtual activities can help keep employees engaged and prevent them from feeling detached from the company while working from home.
Overcommunicating is Key
Even though some employees may be working remotely, collaboration that would occur on the job still needs to happen at home. Company leaders should make it a priority to communicate daily with individuals to answer questions, provide support on projects and just check-in to see how they are doing. Today, with video conferencing technology such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, staying connected is easier than ever before.
At Mowery, we have implemented daily huddles to keep team members connected, address concerns, and offer support. It is easy to feel isolated when working remotely, but by encouraging open communication, these feelings can be reduced.
Want to Work Hard & Play Hard?
At Mowery, we value our employee’s and have created a foundation where hard work is rewarded with fun. If you are interested in joining a team that values work-life balance, offers great benefits, is always learning, and wants you to succeed, check out our available positions today!
