Expert View: Workplace culture and the Capital of Culture
As we pass the half way mark in Liverpool’s year as Capital of Culture and with Superlambananas becoming the iconic figure that is spreading the culture message across the city, it’s important to remember that a good workplace culture is a fundamental cornerstone of business success. It is a vital ingredient that underpins productivity, business growth and sustainability.
Research shows that involvement with the arts increases motivation, builds teamwork and inspires people – factors that business leaders identify as key profit drivers. Working with culture can help to recruit, develop and retain talented employees. It can help them enhance skills and attitudes – particularly in communication, leadership, creativity and innovation. Good relations between people at work are as critical for small businesses as they are for large ones. Very small changes can often make a big difference very quickly.
A recent example of a good workplace culture programme can be seen at the major retail development, Liverpool One, at the heart of the city’s regeneration. They offered their staff a joined up package of business and skills support, which included Equality and Diversity Advisors who provided training focusing upon cultural awareness, as part of a wider customer skills training programme.
Acas has been at the forefront of improving workplace relations, providing advice and guidance to businesses. Our mission is to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations. We do this by providing independent advice, high quality training and by working alongside employers and employees. We firmly believe that prevention is better than cure.
The Acas Liverpool Helpline (08457 47 47 47) takes over 50,000 calls a year, our business support services are demand led and designed to have a real and practical impact on performance that will lead to bottom line added value. Our aim is to ensure that businesses in the region are best placed to achieve success in their respective sector by developing effective and productive workplaces.
For further details of our services and to find out how Acas can help to improve your business performance, please call and have a chat with my colleague Andy Vernon, Acas Senior Advisor for Merseyside, on – 0151 728 5624 or e-mail: avernon@acas.org.uk or visit our website at: www.acas.org.uk. Also visit the Arts & Business website www.aandb.co.uk to see how you can get involved.
Rob Vondy
Area Director
Acas (Merseyside and Cheshire)
