Culture? MGH Has a Committee for That

While still in college, my professor told our class, “You can continue to give employees the money to persuade them to work hard, but that will only last for so long. It’s the company culture that will have them coming back every day performing their best.”

The way companies are attracting top talent these days, salary questions have become just as important as work-life balance and office fun. The millennial generation isn’t easily swayed with a pingpong table in the break room like the Baby Boomers may think. They’re looking for a great place to work that also produces great work. Free snacks and coffee can only take you so far.

Company culture can be defined as the shared set of values and norms that characterize an organization. These values and norms are not easily transferred between companies like products and services can be . Here at MGH, we take pride in our unique culture. We work extremely hard for our clients, but we make sure we have fun doing so. One can, and does, influence the other.

Deloitte produced a study that found 94 percent of executives and 88 percent of employees believe a distinct workplace culture is important to a company’s success. But what works for Deloitte probably won’t for MGH.

It’s why we created our Culture Committee.

This committee consists of one member from each department and meets bi-weekly. When we get together, we’re dedicated to finding ways to better the agency.

Our underlying goal is to plan events and activities that appeal to everyone in the office, while also creating a positive and inclusive atmosphere. So, while ice cream trucks, omelet and mimosa bars, chili cook-offs and dogs in the office are important, so too is our suggestions box, where employees can anonymously air grievances, offer criticism and ask questions without fear.

Culture Committee events are meant to be morale-boosters, so MGHers have something to look forward to every month. It allows our employees to take a small break in their work day, step away from their desks and socialize with one another to create better bonds within the agency.

We’re not re-inventing the wheel when it comes to striving to make our employees feel valued and appreciated. We’re simply making sure it stays top of mind.

In a business world where it’s easy to replicate ideas, products and services, company culture can be the thing that differentiates one organization from another. MGH feels it’s important to have a committee to cultivate a culture for the organization, and we think we’re doing a pretty good job here.

As we like to say, we are MGHappy!