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Does Culture Drive Business Performance? Yes. Here’s Proof.

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ÒÝß[ŠÊ˜·³Ç research highlights the undeniable connection between positive workplace culture and improved productivity, retention, innovation, agility, well-being, and customer service.

You might intuitively know that company culture affects business results — for better or worse — but knowing isn’t enough.

What will get executives to pay attention, lean in, and act? Data. Give them proof that culture change impacts the bottom line.

Amid labor shortages, economic uncertainty, climate change, and geopolitical tensions, European business leaders must create cultures that are resilient and forward-thinking to remain competitive.

The Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work Forâ„¢ Europe provide a roadmap for others to follow. When we look at their experience compared to typical European workplaces, we see the impact company culture has on business performance.

These organizations have built strong connections with employees that lead to high levels of agility, retention, referrals, productivity, and well-being.

Here’s a closer look:

1. Great workplaces are more productive

The gap between U.S. and European productivity continues to widen. U.S. productivity  outpaces that of Europe, where it has and calls for Europe increases the urgency for leaders to improve their culture to keep top talent.

At the 100 Best in Europe, 86% of employees plan to work for their employer for a long time, compared with 60% of employees at the average European employer.

High workplace turnover can be . Feeling like your work has meaning makes employees 67% more likely to want to work for your company for a long time.

Want to improve your retention levels? Make sure employees feel their work matters.

3. Great workplaces have higher innovation and agility levels

To remain competitive, leaders need their workforce to be innovative and adaptable. Lack of agility will lessen your ability to adapt to AI and meet your environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, to name a few workplace challenges.

Nearly 90% of employees at the 100 Best in Europe describe their workforce as being able to adapt to changes needed for success — a 54% increase over the typical European workplace.

Not surprisingly, innovation rates are also higher — 66% higher.

What drives agility? Celebrating trying new things. Cultures that celebrate people for trying things, no matter the result, are 66% more likely to describe their culture as agile, and 36% more likely to describe their culture as innovative.

What drives innovation? Training and development opportunities. When employees are given these opportunities, they are 69% more likely to report having meaningful innovation opportunities.  

Stronger Business Better Culture Fortune

4. Great workplaces are more psychologically and emotionally healthier with higher levels of work-life balance

Although Europe has annually.

What drives workplace mental health? Inclusion and belonging. Employees who feel like they can be themselves at work are 45% more likely to report having a psychologically and emotionally healthy workplace.

5. Customer service is better.

Great workplaces with high-trust cultures create a virtuous cycle of care. When leaders care about their people, their people work hard and care about their employer, all of which has a positive experience on customers.

At winning workplaces, 91% of people say their company is a great place to work, compared with 59% at an average employer. And 89% of people at winning companies say their customers would say their service is excellent, compared with 61% at typical employers.

What drives customer success? Adaptability and pride. Employees are 57% more likely to say their service is excellent if they feel their workplace is agile, and 50% more likely if they feel their work makes a difference.

The evidence is clear: a positive workplace culture is essential for business success.

European business leaders must evaluate their workplace culture, identify areas for improvement, and commit to meaningful changes. The future of your business depends on it.


Roula Amire