Culture in small organisations can be a very vague thing. Often the buzzword for large corporate HR teams sat in huge glass fronted offices. It might seem disconnected from the day-to-day reality of running a local sports club or swim school.
Culture is often seen as something held by fanatical employees and managers who dedicate 70-hour weeks to their company. But in truth, culture is vital for every organisation because it shapes the identity that both your team and customers will recognise and connect with.
Applying the same cultural principles in a small organisation that relies on part-time staff and may not have any full-time employees might seem far-fetched – we get it. However, if you want to truly maximise the potential of every team member, it’s important to challenge that outdated view.
Your part-time or temporary staff – like coaches or instructors – are often the ones closest to your customers. If they’re not aligned with the culture you trying to grow, they won’t deliver the experience your customers expect, potentially leaving them disappointed.
Decide on your culture
Of course, before you can start making sure everyone aligns with your culture, you need to nail down what that is.
As we’ve already mentioned, culture is quite a woolly and vague term to most people. At its heart, your culture should be a set of values that you want everyone to show whenever they’re at work.
Think about what’s most important to you, how do you want your customers and the wider community to see you and your organisation? How do you want your team to work? What do you want to be known for?
This shouldn’t be a solo project, engage all your team regardless of how many hours a week they work for you in helping to shape the culture that they want to be a part of. You’re far more likely to get everyone to buy into your culture if they’ve had a say in what that looks like.
It starts with day one
A great first day is key to building a strong connection with your team. That first impression shapes how new employees feel about your organisation for a long time to come.
Nail the first day, and you’re well on your way to fostering a workplace culture that everyone can rally behind. It’s your chance to showcase what makes your organisation special, showing that every team member’s work is valuable and that it matters. Whether they’re full time or teaching two 1-hour classes a week, everyone deserves the same top-notch induction to ensure consistency in your stands and culture across the board.
Treat everyone the same
It’s natural to view your full-time team members as more central to your organisation since you see them daily, while part-time staff might only be around once a week or less. However, this mindset could be holding your organisation back.
Imagine being a teenage team member balancing A-Levels with coaching gymnastics twice a week, a passion you’ve had since childhood. While the pay is nice, your primary focus is on passing exams and getting qualifications. If you’re treated like a spare part, it’s easy to think your work doesn’t matter, so why give it your best?
But if you feel valued and included in a supportive culture that lets you pursue your passion in a new way, you’re more likely to bring your best effort to every class, giving your customers the best experience.
It really is worth the effort
We’ve covered some big ideas, but taking the time to build a stronger culture among your part-time team is worth the effort. Your customers will notice when your team is fully aligned with your vision, and over time, your revenue will reflect that. Afterall, who doesn’t want a happy, engaged team?
Still need a bit more guidance? If you’re looking for personalised commercial advice and business support to unlock your organisations full potential, reach out to James Brooker, Strategic Business Manager at LoveAdmin. Book a call now here.
