Is This The One New Year’s Resolution Every Company Should Make?

It’s that time of the year again: Make another New Year’s resolution. I have a 'one word' rule when it comes to making promises to myself at the end of each year. Last year, my New Year’s resolution word for myself was 'make' – which meant that I could effect, dream up, compose and originate plans. And I did – making it quite easy to stick to my resolution!

The New Year’s resolution companies should be making this year? Culture.

For the new year and beyond, a company’s biggest resolution should be its culture, and expressing the idea and foundation that started it all. Share your goals; be different; put your culture to work. Talk openly about your company’s values and aspirations, and let your purpose drive your culture. 

A company's culture is the heartbeat that impacts its people, profits and its consumers. Having a great company culture is the most powerful and influential factor in business decision-making today. 

How do I know? gyro, in collaboration with the FORTUNE Knowledge Group, recently conducted a global study of 500 executives examining the role culture plays in decision-making today. The most telling finding: 80 percent of the executives surveyed said that knowing what a company stands for is much more important than whether it is innovative or dominates the market. In other words: Corporate culture has taken the lead as the primary driver of long-term business relationships.

Yes, building a culture may seem difficult, and it goes far beyond just having the right talent. In fact, it is probably the most challenging task a company can undertake. But when company culture resonates from the inside out, it becomes the true calling card for executives looking to do business with you. Companies are unique, and aspiring to the founding idea that started it all enables you to stand out from the crowd.

Building a culture is certainly hard work. However, great culture has to be nurtured and protected for all that it is worth. Once you find the true meaning behind it all – the essence upon which your company was built – that’s when the real magic happens.

Kate Howe is Managing Director at gyro London