Episode #194: Team Culture with Kaitlin Sandor-Kerr

Aug 11, 2022

‘Company culture’ is a concept that has become very popular over the past 15 years. A great company culture helps people feel connected, supported, respected, and accepted, and it can be shaped by a wide range of different things, including policies, team events, core values, dress codes, manager expectations, and especially your leadership style. Even if you’ve not yet begun to hire a team, it’s critically important to consider your company culture so that when you’re ready to expand, you’re able to attract your dream team!

So how do you develop and nurture a company culture that both empowers your team to bring their A game and keeps them excited about your mission?

Kaitlin Sandor-Kerr is the founder of Toronto-based boutique HR consultancy Support Panda, which offers virtual HR Support for small businesses and start-ups. In this episode of the Business of Thinking Big, we dive deep into company culture, including what it REALLY means, why it’s so important, who should have input, and how developing your own company culture starts with discovering what you already have in place — and reinforcing the things that are already working!

In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌

3 core tips for building a healthy company culture, for entrepreneurs at the beginning or middle of their growth journey
Why the best time to define your company culture is when you’re still a company of one (and the second-best time is right now!)
The difference between creating a company culture by default and being intentional with your choices

Guest bio: Kaitlin Sandor-Kerr is the founder of Support Panda, a boutique HR consultancy that specializes in working with business leaders that want to provide an amazing employment experience for their employees.

Timestamps:‌ ‌

00:34 Meet Kaitlin Sandor-Kerr

02:09 Human element of business & leadership

03:33 Kaitlin’s journey to HR

06:25 What is company culture?

08:41 Being intentional from first steps

11:48 Why people resist expanding

15:22 Core tip 1: involvement

19:48 Core tip 2: intention

23:40 Impact on client experience & retention

25:56 Core tip 3: accountability

29:12 What’s best for the BUSINESS