The First 44 Days: How Company Culture Decides Everything
While hiring top talent is crucial, what matters even more is ensuring these individuals stay with the organization. New employees typically assess whether the company is a good fit for them within their first 44 days. If their experience during this time isn't satisfactory, they are likely to consider leaving.
So, what are the factors that determine whether an employee stays or leaves? The answer is a strong company culture.
Why Company Culture Matters
Today, employees don’t just choose companies based on salary and benefits. Most employees consider whether the company's values and vision align with their own goals and values.
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94% of employees say that feeling a sense of belonging at work is important (Source: American Psychological Association)
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Organizations with positive cultures have employee retention rates that are 30% higher (Source: Gallup)
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Companies with a healthy culture have employee engagement levels that are 3.8 times higher (Source: Forbes)
In other words, the stronger the company culture, the more employees feel a sense of belonging, and the greater their long-term commitment to the company. One of the most important factors in building a strong company culture is employee recognition.
Employee Recognition Builds a Strong Company Culture
What is Employee Recognition?
Employee recognition refers to all the activities aimed at acknowledging and appreciating employees' performance and contributions. It's not just about saying "good job"; it's about creating a system where the organization values its employees and motivates them.
3 Key Principles for Effective Employee Recognition
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Authenticity: Acknowledge each employee’s contribution genuinely and specifically.
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Timeliness: Recognition is most effective when it happens immediately after the performance.
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Consistency: Regular recognition and feedback are key, not just annual reviews.
By applying these principles, employee engagement increases, organizational loyalty strengthens, and long-term retention improves.
How to Implement Employee Recognition
Monetary Rewards & Benefits
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Performance bonuses and incentives
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Personalized gifts (gift cards, electronics, etc.)
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Additional paid time off (PTO) or early leave benefits
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Health and wellness program support
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Education and self-development funding
Example: SalesforceSalesforce operates a "Recognition Program" where employees can recognize their peers’ contributions and award points, which can be exchanged for various rewards. This fosters a culture where employees actively praise each other, and immediate rewards are given for work performance.
Team Culture & Events
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Celebrating employee birthdays and work anniversaries
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Team lunches, workshops, and retreats
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CEO lunches for top-performing employees
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Annual employee appreciation events
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In-house sports and hobby clubs
Example: ZapposZappos considers company culture its core value and runs various events to help employees feel this culture. One example is the "Culture Book", where employees define the company culture and share it in a book, fostering trust and engagement among colleagues.
Regular Feedback & Praise
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Quarterly performance reviews and feedback sessions
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Peer-to-peer recognition programs
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Real-time performance sharing and acknowledgment
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Establishing a feedback culture within the organization
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Anonymous praise systems
Example: GoogleGoogle doesn’t just conduct an annual performance review. It implements the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) system, setting quarterly goals and providing continuous feedback. Employees set their own performance goals and receive real-time feedback from colleagues and managers.
Personalized Growth Opportunities
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Creating individual career development plans
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Expanding opportunities for internal job transitions and mobility
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Offering mentoring and coaching programs
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Providing learning support for self-development
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Offering tailored leadership training
Example: LinkedInLinkedIn emphasizes employee growth through the "InDay" program. Employees can take one day each month for self-development, including education, mentoring, and external project participation, supporting employees in growing independently within the organization.
How Employee Recognition Affects Company Performance and Profitability
Employee recognition doesn’t just increase employee satisfaction; it directly impacts company performance as well.
Companies with active recognition programs see 14% higher productivity (Source: Gallup) Organizations with high employee engagement achieve 21% higher profitability (Source: Harvard Business Review) Companies with strong employee recognition programs experience 10% higher customer satisfaction (Source: Forbes)When employees feel their contributions are valued, they are more motivated and productive, contributing to the company’s long-term growth and sustainability.
How to Effectively Communicate Company Culture
A strong company culture is not only important for current employees but also for potential candidates. When company culture is conveyed not just through internal events but as a part of the organization’s philosophy and values, its impact grows even more.
So, how can you effectively showcase your company culture?
Use Company Culture Videos
Today, video content is one of the most powerful tools to communicate company culture.
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78% of people watch online videos weekly, and 55% watch videos daily (Source: Statista)
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Company culture is more effectively communicated through video than through text or images
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Platforms like YouTube, X, and Instagram make video a powerful tool for recruiting
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Job postings that include a company culture video see a 34% increase in applications (Source: LinkedIn)
In other words, a company culture video is not just marketing; it’s a crucial tool to allow employees to experience the values and environment of the organization.
Key Elements to Include
To create a strong company culture video, include the following elements:
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Employee Testimonials: Highlighting real employee voices to emphasize authenticity
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Real Work Environment: Showcasing the office space and collaborative atmosphere for credibility
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Work-Life Balance Activities: Emphasizing corporate culture, benefits, and team events
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Training & Growth Opportunities: Showcasing opportunities for learning and development
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Core Values & Vision: Clearly communicating the organization’s mission and work culture
Examples of Company Culture Videos
Various companies have created unique culture videos to effectively communicate their values and environment.
Fiverr – Humor in Company Culture Video
Fiverr parodies the typical recruitment video style, presenting a humorous approach to convey their company culture. It starts with the line, "This is just another typical recruitment video," breaking the usual corporate video style. The video emphasizes Fiverr's free-spirited culture while showing employees having fun at work.Netflix – Employee-Centric Culture Video
Employees talk about Netflix's core values and culture, sharing their personal growth experiences and how the company supports them. The video highlights the authentic voices of employees, effectively communicating the company's culture.Google – Employee Experience-Centered Culture Video
Google showcases the work environment and company culture by following the daily lives of employees. The video answers the question, "What’s it like working at Google?" from an employee’s perspective. It emphasizes Google’s innovative, open culture, creating empathy with viewers.Patagonia – Values-Centered Culture Video
Patagonia links employees' lifestyles with the company’s environmental protection philosophy. The video conveys the message "Our work is more than just a job", focusing on sustainability and employee happiness.Zappos – Employee-Engaged Culture Video
Employees explain the company’s culture and their fun work environment in a documentary style. Based on Zappos' Culture Book, employees talk about the company’s core values, emphasizing that they shape the culture.Conclusion: The Best Way to Build a Strong Company Culture and Retain Talent
Building a strong company culture is not just about creating a good workplace environment.
It’s a key factor that directly influences a company’s growth and talent retention.
Ensuring that employees feel a sense of belonging and motivation is an essential role for HR.
To achieve this, employee recognition and company culture communication must be strategically combined.
Systematically running employee recognition programs and effectively communicating culture using videos are the keys to fostering a strong culture.
This will enhance employee engagement, reduce turnover, and provide an effective way to increase organizational competitiveness.
The Heart of Company Culture is ‘People’
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