Workplace culture isn’t just some fluffy HR concept that companies slap on their website to sound good. It’s the actual, lived experience of employees—the thing that determines whether people wake up excited to go to work or start their day by Googling “jobs with better work-life balance.”

And if you think it doesn’t matter? Think again.

A positive workplace culture is the backbone of employee engagement, retention, and overall business success. When employees feel valued, respected, and connected, they’re not just happier—they perform better, collaborate more, and stick around longer.

So, how do you create a positive company culture that people actually want to be part of? Let’s break it down.

Spoiler alert: Employee engagement apps play a vital role in ensuring everyone is connected to the company's values and objectives. 

Do employees care about workplace culture?

Today, employees place significant importance on workplace culture alignment with their own values. In the United States, a staggering 35%  of the workforce would not even consider a job in an organization where employees feel the work culture doesn't resonate with their beliefs. Furthermore, a remarkable 91% of hiring managers prioritize applicant culture fit over experience and skills.

The impact on job performance

For most American workers, workplace culture holds considerable sway over job performance. It influences efficiency, the delivery of quality work, and customer service. When workplace culture deteriorates, approximately 71%  of employees actively seek other job opportunities. This underscores the critical importance of nurturing a positive workplace culture and instilling a clear organizational mission.

The power of positive workplace culture

A positive workplace culture that champions community, inclusivity, and teamwork serves as the foundation for employee engagement. It yields up to 72%  higher employee retention and engagement rates, creating a workforce that is more motivated, satisfied, and committed to the organization's success.

To measure employee engagement effectively and gauge the impact of your workplace culture, consider utilizing tools such as engagement metrics such as the Employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS). This metric allows you to assess employee sentiment, gather valuable insights, and take proactive steps to foster a thriving workplace culture that resonates with your workforce.

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Key factors of a positive work culture

If you want a positive company culture that attracts top talent and keeps employees engaged, focus on these key areas:

1. Leadership that walks the talk

A company’s culture starts at the top. Strong leadership isn’t about saying the right things in meetings—it’s about actually leading by example.

• Do leaders recognize employees’ efforts?
• Do they encourage collaboration and open communication?
• Do they create a work environment where employees feel respected and valued?

If not, culture suffers—and employees notice.

2. A workplace where employees feel connected

Humans are social beings—we need connection, purpose, and a sense of belonging at work.

• Encourage collaboration between teams and departments
• Create mentorship programs that help employees grow professionally
• Make employee interactions meaningful, not just transactional

When people feel supported, they bring new ideas, more energy, and a sense of ownership to their work.

3. Recognition that’s actually meaningful

No one stays engaged in a job where their hard work goes unnoticed. A strong employee recognition program makes sure employees feel valued—and that goes beyond a “good job” email.

• Celebrate wins publicly
• Offer real rewards (not just pizza parties)
• Recognize employee input when making business decisions

People don’t just want a paycheck—they want to feel respected and appreciated.

4. Flexibility and work-life balance

A company can say it “cares about work-life balance” all day, but if employees are glued to their laptops at 10 PM, that’s not balance—it’s exploitation.

• Offer flexible hours and remote work options
• Encourage employees to actually take their PTO
• Make professional development part of the job—not an afterthought

When people have time to rest, recharge, and pursue meaningful work, they bring their best selves to the company.

Workplace Culture: How Do Others Do It?

Domino's Germany

Domino's Germany has charted a remarkable journey in engaging its frontline employees, thanks to the company values innovative use of Domino's Chat, a branded employee app powered by Speakap.

Dennis Batbayli, Head of People and Culture at Domino's, spearheads this initiative by offering frontline employees a unique blend of company culture classes and leveraging the app's capabilities to nurture continuous engagement and professional growth. The result is a workplace that brims with excitement and motivation, driven by engaging elements such as quizzes, games, enticing prizes, a monthly webinar series, the Domino's Academy, and curated content tailored to cater to the preferences of younger talent.

Measuring Employee Engagement

One of the standout features of Domino's approach is its ability to measure employee engagement effectively. The app provides insights into its annual employee engagement survey, sentiment, and attendance statistics, empowering Domino's Germany to gauge the impact of its initiatives and make data-driven decisions to further enhance employee satisfaction.

The success story of Domino's Germany serves as a compelling testament to the transformative power of a well-crafted employee engagement strategy. By fostering a culture of continuous, engaged employee engagement and leveraging technology to measure employee feedback, organizations can aspire to cultivate a highly engaged workforce that drives success and innovation.

“Domino’s Chat helps employees to experience and understand our workplace culture. We ask for frontline employees' feedback on product launches, customer complaints, and management so all can feel heard and part of the team. Employees post questions and share best practices increasing productivity and efficiency. There is a general increase in excitement about the brand, and the usage of and engagement on our e-learning platform is much higher since we implemented Domino’s Chat.”

Dennis Batbayli
Head of People and Culture, Domino's

Clarkson Construction Company

Tara McKinney, Human Resources Director at Clarkson Construction Company, has orchestrated a significant transformation in employee engagement across three manufacturing and construction companies in the United States. This remarkable achievement improve employee engagement was made possible through the strategic implementation of the Speakap platform.

Challenges of a Geographically Distributed Workforce

Clarkson Construction Company faced unique challenges with a geographically dispersed workforce that lacked email access. These circumstances made it exceptionally challenging for management to communicate critical company information to all employees simultaneously. Additionally, building a sense of cohesion among the teams and catering to diverse generational communication preferences presented further complexities.

The Impact of Speakap

Upon introducing the Speakap platform, Clarkson Construction Company witnessed tangible improvements in its employee engagement strategy. One notable employee engagement success was the substantial increase in their bi-annual employee survey communication scores. This outcome underscores the effectiveness of the platform in bridging communication gaps, fostering a sense of belonging among employees and accommodating diverse communication preferences.

“It’s most likely because people feel they know more about what’s happening via the app. There’s generally a sense of pride and accomplishment as a team when photos go up in the app about company progress, such as working on a bridge or building a highway, without having to be on the job site. It’s very visual and great for increasing employee engagement.”

Tara McKinney,
Human Resources Director at Clarkson Construction Company

STULZ USA

STULZ USA, a manufacturing company, recognized the importance of fostering a sense of inclusion, empowerment, and belonging among their non-native English-speaking workforce. To address this, they introduced STULZ Connect, a dynamic employee engagement app developed by Speakap. This strategic move aimed to bridge communication gaps, connect employees across language barriers, and nurture a vibrant workplace culture.

Sanne Oosterhoff, Group Operations Director at Nexeye, embarked on a mission to enhance the employee experience and communication within the organization. To achieve this, she introduced an employee communication app powered by Speakap. This initiative aimed to elevate engagement levels, strengthen the sense of community, and facilitate seamless information sharing across the Nexeye workforce.

Pulse Surveys and Annual Employee Engagement Surveys

Both organizations recognized the significance of employee recognition by regularly measuring employee engagement to gauge the effectiveness of their strategies. In addition to annual employee engagement surveys, they implemented pulse surveys to gather real-time feedback and insights from employees. This approach allowed them to tailor their engagement strategies based on employee feedback, ensuring that their initiatives remained relevant and impactful.

The Results: Improved Employee Engagement and Loyalty

The efforts of STULZ USA and Nexeye have yielded remarkable results. By focusing on improving employee engagement and fostering a sense of belonging, they have less employee turnover and cultivate a loyal and motivated workforce. These organizations serve as shining examples of how innovative engagement strategies, coupled with the right technology solutions, can transform workplace culture and drive organizational success.

“This employee engagement tool gives employees a voice and an opportunity to be part of the discussion. With the employee communication app's content, we aim to be closer to the people and connect in their language, culture, and customs. That way, we can keep the workplace culture recognizable, safe, and relevant to them.”

Sanne Oosterhoff,
Group Operations Director at nexeye

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Creating a positive work culture Is an ongoing commitment

A positive workplace culture isn’t something you set once and forget about—it’s a living, breathing part of your organization that needs constant care and attention.

• Strong leadership, shared values, and mutual respect create a workplace where employees feel valued.
• Recognition, flexibility, and work-life balance ensure employees feel empowered and satisfied in their jobs.
• Technology and communication tools help organizations foster a culture of inclusion, engagement, and connection.

Want to build a better, stronger company culture? Start by making sure your employees feel valued, connected, and heard.

And if you need a digital solution to make that happen, Speakap’s employee engagement software has you covered.