A strong company culture is critical for building a successful business. It serves as the foundation for great companies, instilling employees with a sense of belonging, motivation and a shared purpose. At Sorted, we believe that our company culture is the key to our success, allowing us to innovate, adapt and thrive in the mad (but exciting!) world of SaaS development and logistics solutions.
Company culture includes the values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours that characterise an organisation. It defines how things are done and how employees engage with each other. A positive culture brings everyone together around common goals, improves performance, and fosters a work environment that attracts and retains top talent. And who doesn’t want to do that?
Conversely, a negative culture can lead to disengagement. American employee engagement took a hit in 2022, with Gallup Workplace reporting an increase in the proportion of actively disengaged workers to 18% – nearly one person in every five!
These statistics demonstrate why company culture is more than a buzzword; it’s a critical component that can make or break an organisation. A strong, positive culture boosts productivity and job satisfaction while also encouraging loyalty and lowering turnover rates. When employees feel valued, supported and aligned with their company’s mission and values, they’re more likely to go above and beyond, collaborate effectively and drive innovation.
At Sorted, we’ve seen firsthand how investing in a strong company culture can result in tangible benefits, such as increased employee retention and customer satisfaction. In essence, a thriving company culture is more than just keeping employees happy; it is about creating a long-term business environment in which people and profits grow together.
Why company culture matters
Company culture is the foundation of any successful organisation. It affects everything from employee engagement to customer satisfaction. Why is it so important?
Employee engagement and retention
A strong culture promotes employee engagement by making them feel valued and connected to the company’s mission. Engaged employees are more productive, motivated and less likely to leave. This lowers turnover costs and keeps valuable knowledge within the company.
Attracting talent
Prospective employees frequently consider company culture when deciding where to work. A positive, inclusive and dynamic culture can be very appealing, especially to those looking for a rewarding career in a supportive environment.
Performance and productivity
The British Council found that engaged employees in high-trust companies report 50% higher productivity, 40% less burnout and 76% more engagement compared to those in lower-trust environments. When employees are aligned with the company’s values and feel part of a community, they’re more likely to go above and beyond in their roles. This collective drive can lead to increased innovation, efficiency and overall performance.
Customer satisfaction
Customers are more likely to be satisfied when their employees are content. A positive internal culture leads to better customer service and stronger client relationships, which are critical for business growth and sustainability.
How we foster culture at Sorted
Sorted is proud of its vibrant, inclusive and forward-thinking culture. Here’s how we cultivate it.
Values-driven leadership
Our leaders embody and promote our core values: purpose, unity, transparency and adaptability. These values are more than just words on a wall; they guide our decisions, shape our interactions and influence our strategic direction. Leaders at Sorted are approachable and committed to fostering an environment where every team member feels empowered and supported.
Inclusive environment
Inclusivity is central to our culture. We believe that diverse teams promote innovation and creativity. We strive to create an environment in which everyone feels welcome, respected and valued, regardless of their background or role within the organisation. This commitment to inclusivity allows us to harness a diverse range of perspectives and ideas.
Continuous learning and development
Sorted is committed to our employees’ continuous growth and development. We provide regular training sessions, workshops and opportunities for professional development. This not only improves individual skills but also ensures that we remain at the forefront of the industry.
Collaboration and communication
Effective collaboration and open communication are essential components of our culture. We use a variety of tools and platforms to make sure everyone is on the same page and can contribute ideas. Regular team meetings, cross-departmental projects, and an open-door policy foster a collaborative environment.
In addition to these traditional methods, we use Slack and private podcasts to keep our remote workers engaged and involved. Slack serves as our primary platform for real-time communication and collaboration. It enables teams to create dedicated channels for various projects, departments and interests, resulting in more organised and efficient communication. Channel-based messaging makes project-specific information more accessible and transparent, reducing the need for long email threads and improving response times.
Private podcasts are another innovative tool we use to communicate with Sorted employees. These podcasts allow leadership teams to share company updates, project milestones and industry insights in a more personalised and engaging format. Employees can listen to episodes when it’s convenient for them, enabling them to stay informed without disrupting their schedule. We also use them to celebrate employee success stories, have fun with team members and delve deeper into company culture topics, all of which contribute to a stronger sense of community and inclusivity.
Slack and private podcasts complement our existing communication strategies by providing adaptable, engaging and easily accessible ways to keep everyone connected, no matter where they are. These tools ensure that remote employees feel as involved and valued as their in-office counterparts, reinforcing our commitment to a collaborative and communicative work environment.
Work-life balance
We understand the importance of work-life balance and strive to create a flexible work environment. We aim to help our employees maintain a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives by offering remote working options, flexible hours, and support for personal wellbeing initiatives.
Recognition and rewards
Celebrating success and acknowledging contributions is central to our culture. We have formal recognition programmes in place to highlight outstanding achievements as well as everyday efforts. These accolades not only inspire individuals, but also reinforce our shared commitment to excellence.
Looking ahead
As we grow and evolve, maintaining and nurturing our company culture is a top priority. We believe that our culture is a key driver of our success, and will continue to invest in our people, processes and practices to ensure that Sorted remains a great place to work.
We’ve built a culture that empowers our employees, drives performance and delivers exceptional value to our clients. We acknowledge that even with the best intentions, some approaches can occasionally miss the mark and impact our culture negatively. We’ve experienced various methods and continue to learn and refine our strategies to ensure we foster a positive, inclusive environment.
As we look to the future, we remain committed to nurturing a culture that supports our mission and reflects our values. This is how we do things at Sorted, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.