A company culture is much more than free lunches or extra time off; it’s about relationships and how people connect, collaborate, and feel a sense of belonging. For a business, maintaining a balanced organizational culture is crucial for success and gaining a competitive advantage; especially now that hybrid work models have become the norm. It’s no coincidence that many companies prioritize cultural fit over skill fit when hiring new employees. However, establishing a strong company culture in a digital space can be challenging—but not impossible. With the vast array of digital tools at our disposal and a touch of human creativity, businesses can build a thriving digital company culture. After all, true digital transformation is impossible without a strong digital company culture.
What exactly is an organizational digital culture?
The traditional organizational culture we know is mainly described as the values, beliefs, and behaviors within a business. Now, organizational digital culture is when technology blends with this and shapes how people work through technology to meet business goals.
A strong digital culture ensures that employees are not just using digital tools but are fully immersed in an environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and efficiency. Digital culture is about how a company embraces technology to improve processes, engage employees, and maintain a strong sense of belonging, regardless of team member’s location.
Various digital tools to embrace for connection and collaboration
Since we’re talking about a digital world—and, therefore, a digital company culture—let’s explore the tools that enhance connection and collaboration between employees, making them feel more engaged. When it comes to communication, there are multiple messaging apps we’re all familiar with, like Slack and Microsoft Teams, but most of us don’t take full advantage of their capabilities. While these platforms are great for work-related discussions, they can also foster casual interactions. Companies that encourage fun, non-work channels (like a #jokes channel or a #music channel), create something more meaningful: a sense of camaraderie that’s hard to replicate through emails.
Additionally, in fully remote work models, these digital spaces help employees feel more involved, ensuring they don’t miss out on important moments and stay closely connected with their colleagues. This sense of inclusion naturally leads to stronger collaborations and a more engaged workforce.
Make video meetings more engaging
We’ve all heard of Zoom fatigue, but let’s be honest and say that video calls are still an essential part of remote work. The trick is to make them feel less like a chore. Encouraging cameras-on policies (without making them mandatory) fosters face-to-face interaction, making conversations more personal. Meetings shouldn’t just be about work updates; a little creativity, whether themed virtual backgrounds, icebreaker questions, or quick team-building activities, goes a long way in making them more engaging.
Infuse creativity into company culture
A great culture is one where employees feel inspired, motivated, and included. Digital spaces can make this happen in surprisingly creative ways.
Gamifying onboarding and training is one example. Instead of making new hires sit through long, monotonous sessions, companies can introduce interactive learning with games. A new hire could earn a badge for completing their first project, leveling up as they learn more about the company. This keeps learning engaging and, most importantly, fun.
Beyond onboarding, companies can inject creativity into everyday work through themed challenges and contests. Whether it’s a design challenge, a friendly pitch competition, or a ‘best home office setup’ contest, these activities encourage employees to think outside the box while also fostering collaboration and friendly competition. A little incentive, prizes, recognition, or a simple shoutout makes participation even more exciting.
Build a strong visual brand identity
A cohesive company culture is not just about words but also about how it looks and feels. A strong visual identity helps create a sense of belonging, even in a digital space.
Branded internal communications, whether it’s templates, infographics, or video updates, make company messages more engaging. Companies can use short, visually appealing content instead of lengthy emails that no one reads to get key messages across. The more dynamic, the better! GIFs, memes, and interactive elements can make even the most routine announcements more interesting.
Social media also plays a huge role in shaping culture. Companies that showcase their people, their values, and their day-to-day life on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn create a more authentic and relatable brand. Employees should be encouraged to contribute, whether by sharing behind-the-scenes moments or participating in company-wide social campaigns. When employees feel like they’re part of something bigger, engagement naturally follows.
Optimize the virtual workspace
The digital workspace is an extension of company culture, and small touches can make a big impact. Custom Zoom backgrounds, branded Slack emojis, and personalized digital stickers create a cohesive, fun, and visually engaging work environment. A well-designed digital workspace makes employees feel like they’re part of a unified team, even working from different locations.
It’s also important to consider accessibility and user experience. A company culture that values inclusivity ensures that digital tools are easy to navigate, that communication platforms accommodate different working styles, and that no one feels left out due to technological barriers.
Use digital signage to build a strong culture
Culture isn’t just built; it’s showcased, celebrated, and reinforced every day. With digital signage, you can keep your teams connected, no matter where they are. Instantly share wins, highlight key updates, and inspire with dynamic content that speaks to your people. Here’s how you can do all of that using digital signage:
Employee communication
Digital signage can strengthen company culture by fostering a sense of connection and involvement among employees. When teams stay aligned with updates and feel included, they engage more with the company’s vision and values. Using data dashboards to showcase key insights or achievements creates transparency and encourages collaboration, reinforcing a culture of trust. Additionally, various popular apps or social media walls allow employees to interact in creative ways, building stronger bonds and enhancing workplace engagement.
Inclusivity
Digital signage can also play a key role in promoting inclusivity within the workplace. Displaying content in multiple languages, incorporating audio and visual elements, and ensuring easy access to company updates through interactive kiosks help create an environment where every employee feels valued and included. Additionally, businesses can use digital signage to showcase diversity initiatives, promote awareness campaigns, and highlight employee achievements, reinforcing a culture of belonging.
Safe environment
When employees feel safe at work and know that in case of an emergency, they will have the right guidance, everything runs more smoothly. Digital signage provides real-time safety alerts, clear evacuation instructions, and wayfinding maps, helping employees stay informed and prepared. This reduces risks and ensures peace of mind, allowing employees to focus on their work without concerns about accidents or potential hazards.
Final thoughts: The future of digital organizational culture
With the world relying more and more on technology, so will company culture. Technological advancements like AI or Virtual Reality will offer new ways, even more creative and engaging, for businesses and employees to connect, collaborate, and contribute more to the organization’s culture. The only question is how fast organizations will embrace this digital approach in order to build a strong culture and stay ahead.
A digital workplace doesn’t have to feel distant; it can be as vibrant and connected as an in-person workplace.