There are so many compelling reasons to work for a small business. There’s usually yummy free snacks, flex schedules, fun people, all kinds of exciting risks, and of course, a dress code that is perfectly matter-of-fact.
So it's fair to say that small businesses have nailed it when it comes to creating a dynamic office culture.
But the real question is: How can a small business grow into a bigger business without losing its office culture magic? We’ve got some ideas for you. We recently talked to some small business founders, CEOs, and researchers to get their best advice on what small to medium businesses can do to keep up the energy at work as they grow.
We took those tips and distilled them into this really cool interactive. Here’s a quick teaser:
Listen up, managers: Admit it when you mess up.
Creating a culture where workers feel secure enough to own their mistakes starts at the top. Melinda Emerson, a small business consultant known as the SmallBizLady, likes to update her team on her own projects — including mistakes she’s made. This helps defuse the fear of admitting failure that most people feel when their projects go off the rails. But in today’s fast-paced world, the quicker you can admit mistakes and move toward finding a solution, the better the impact on the bottom line.
Copy what large organizations do so well
As you grow, you’ll need to take on some of the structures of a larger company to operate effectively. Smaller organizations often tend to have a flatter management structure, with leadership stepping in to fight fires alongside regular staff. Big companies are more formalized and often have effective systems for managing and developing their people. As your company grows in size, learn from what large companies do well: shift to a more hands-off management approach that gives people the room they need to figure things out and succeed on their own.
Explore our interactive and learn other tips on how to scale your business while still being a really fun place to work.