How Businesses Can Improve Company Culture and Succeed
Company culture is more than an HR checklist—it’s the set of values, behaviors, and principles that shape the workplace. Whether through incentive programs, teamwork workshops, or recruitment strategies, every organization develops a culture of its own.
Company culture forms naturally and plays a key role in productivity, employee retention, and attracting top talent. Below, we explore the different types of company culture and how to shape one that supports your business goals.
What Is Company Culture?
Company culture reflects shared principles, objectives, attitudes, and behaviors within an organization. Even if it’s not formally defined, it guides how employees interact, make decisions, and contribute to the company’s mission and vision—essentially, it’s your company’s personality.
Why Company Culture Matters for Success
Culture directly impacts measurable outcomes, including revenue. According to McKinsey, organizations with the healthiest company cultures generate 60% higher shareholder returns compared to the average. Strong culture also benefits HR teams by improving employee retention and reducing turnover. A well-defined culture ensures recruiters attract candidates who align with company values, lowering the risk of mismatched hires.
Types of Company Culture
Business researchers have identified four main culture types, known as the Quinn Culture Types:
Adhocracy Culture
Encourages unconventional decisions when they help achieve company goals. Creativity, risk-taking, and agility are valued, with recognition for innovative thinking—even if every attempt doesn’t succeed.
Clan Culture
Focuses on teamwork, loyalty, and strong relationships. Employees often feel like part of a family, leading to high engagement and low turnover.
Hierarchy Culture
Values structure, stability, and clear roles. Leadership is respected for seniority and decision-making. Communication tends to follow formal channels.
Market Culture
Driven by measurable results and competitive advantage. Efficiency, performance metrics, and goal achievement are top priorities, supported by proven methodologies.
How to Build and Maintain a Successful Company Culture
1. Define Clear Values
Choose specific, memorable culture statements. For example, Google’s former motto, “Don’t be evil,” guided decisions and aligned actions with core values from day one.
2. Integrate Culture into Daily Operations
Show, don’t just tell. Embed values into everyday tasks, from transparent communication to inclusive hiring practices, so culture remains consistent as the company grows.
3. Communicate Effectively
Use stories, visuals, or examples to make your culture relatable. Satellogic, for instance, brands its culture as “Pirate culture,” emphasizing curiosity, teamwork, and exploration.
4. Make It Collaborative
Encourage employee participation in shaping culture, even in structured environments. Diverse input leads to innovative ideas and stronger buy-in.
Examples of Strong Company Culture
Patagonia centers its culture around environmental stewardship with the core value, “Protect our home planet.” This purpose-driven approach engages both employees and customers, reinforcing brand loyalty.
Strengthening Company Culture as You Grow
Company culture should reflect your organization’s values and empower employees to perform at their best. While maintaining it during rapid growth can be challenging, the right tools make it manageable.
Oriento helps you preserve and strengthen culture with automated onboarding that promotes values from day one, performance tracking, feedback collection, and goal setting. Register for free and start building a culture that drives success.