The term ‘Human Resource’ was first coined in 1893 by John R. Commons in his book The Distribution of Wealth and subsequently used in the 1920’s as workers were increasingly seen as a kind of capital asset. Think about that. In a world where a better, more powerful smartphone comes out every year, most companies still believe in attracting talent – the most essential component of their business – on an idea that is more than a century old.
And it’s starting to show. Today, young people no longer aim to work in massive cubicle filled floors, lit by rows of harsh fluorescent lights and drab carpeting. Instead, they are taking their talents to fresh, exciting start-ups that seek to change the game every day while offering opportunities and amenities that match the personalities of their staff.
So will a simple office makeover make you the place to be for waves of new millennial talent? Not if you don’t change the culture of your company along with it. How do you know what good company culture is or if you have it? Let’s take Google as an example. Apart from being at the forefront of technological innovation, Google is renowned for having truly enviable levels of workplace culture.
People are waiting in line to join them.
Apart from the high pay, everyone has heard about Google’s in-house cafe and catering services which provide their employees free food and beverages round the clock. It’s the little things like these that play a huge part in getting people to do anything to be part of the team.
Turnover is low.
It isn’t very often that you hear of someone leaving Google once they’ve made it in, even at entry or mid-level jobs. This is often the sign of positive workplace culture.
Top leaders are not insecure about the success of others.
Google founders Larry Page and Sergei Brin famously made way for Sundar Pichai to become CEO of Google in 2015.
It’s not just a job.
Google is more than just an employer, being part of the team is validation and confirmation that you have made it in your field and that the future is brighter than ever.
Google staff are given time and encouragement to pursue projects that are outside their scope of work. In fact some of Googles best products, like Gmail, arose out of an employee side project.
So how can you start to change your company culture so you too can start to attract talent the way Google does?
Maybe create a better, high-energy environment?
People spend a huge proportion of their day at the office, so it should be a fun and stimulating place in which to work. Casual, open office spaces tend to work best when there are enough places for staff to work in private should they choose to.
Or even give employees space to dream on the job?
Visions for the company’s future don’t just come from the top. Every employee can feel like their ideas, or opinions have value and the best way to do that is to give them some time during work hours to work on their own projects or simply just to daydream. This leads to happier employees and possibly great ideas.
Or you can engage with a “People Specialist”.
At Accendo, we believe that people are not commodities. They are talented creators, partners and assets just waiting for the right company to collaborate with.
We’ll help you develop your company culture to not only attract the best talent, but train and maintain your existing talent, leading to increased job satisfaction and performance in the long run.
To us it’s not about human resources. It’s about reengineering people performance at work.
