Working for a higher Purpose

Studies show that giving your people a real purpose to there work lifts engagement and productivity. A great example of a company in Christchurch that has a meaningful purpose is Isaac Construction. By combining conservation with construction they are making a real difference not only for the people in their company but for the people in New Zealand.

Thanks to the hard work of the team at Isaac Construction New Zealanders will have a much better chance of ever seeing endangered species. The company funds The Isaac Conservation Trust which has just built a skinkery – that is a home and habitat for rare Grand and the Otago Skink- and the first skinks have just been transferred into their new home at Peacock Springs just outside Christchurch.

The Grand and the Otago Skinks are from the Hawea-Lindis area in Otago and are now part of a captive breeding programme. The skinkery replicates the skinks natural habitat by including huge rocks and native plants in the cages. The skinks will be kept warm by “under-rock” floor heating. I was lucky enough to be able to hold one as we helped them out of their plastic boxes and set them free to explore their new home.

I grew up in this part of New Zealand and remember searching for these reptiles in my youth so have a natural affiliation with the work that The Isaac Conservation trust is doing and we are really enjoying working with their company

The Isaac Wildlife Trust has been working with the Department of Conservation and has been successfully breeding endangered birds at Peacock Springs for many years. But now they have a new challenge- the Grand and the Otago Skink!

So when you ask the team at Isaac Construction what they do. Instead of just laying roads and asphalt the help fund the protection of New Zealand's endangered native Floura and Fauna.

Isn't that a whole lot more reason to get out of bed each morning. They think so.

So.... what is your company really passionate about and what is your higher purpose. If you don't have one you should get one.

5 ways to improve your Company Culture

Research recently conducted by a multidisciplinary team from Auckland, Massey and Waikato universities, and Birbeck University in London found nearly one in five employees are being subjected to overbearing or belittling behaviour at work.

The survey of 1728 workers in the health, education, travel and hospitality sectors found 18% had been bullied, while 75% had suffered workplace stress. Read full article here

"Bullying is happening and it is not being addressed. It has long been accepted that this is the way of working -- if you cannot stand the heat, get out of the kitchen," says study leader Tim Bentley, associate head of Massey University's school of management.

Levels of workplace stress and bullying were greater than expected and one of the main causes was ineffective leadership.

A study and the end of last year by Hays International also highlighted that two thirds of employees believe their managers do not know what motivates them to perform and one third of staff are planning to leave when the economy recovers. Addressing these issues requires a significant change in the way people see, think and act about their company culture.

Every Culture in a company has a smell - how is yours?

Here are the 5 things that have the biggest impact in improving company culture.

1. Define and articulate the real core values of your businesses not some fluffy statements that are empty words on a plaque. This drives positive behaviour and facilitates the removal of people who do not fit well with your culture

2. Use behavioural profiling tools to improve interpersonal communication and working relationships. This will also identify your people’s strengths and help you understand how to leverage your people’s strengths to increase productivity and personal fulfilment.

3. Identify and overcome any dysfunctional behaviours demonstrated by your management team

4. Survey employee engagement to identify the areas that require attention – a proven way to increase sales, productivity, and customer satisfaction - whilst reducing accidents, absenteeism, and staff turnover.

5. Conduct well-structured meetings every week with your team members. Here you can recognise and reward positive behaviour and address any issues before they become a problem.

Implementing these disciplines can provide a challenge but not as much of a challenge as doing nothing.