Has your company recently undergone a significant internal restructuring or even a merger with another company? If this is the case, make sure you don’t overlook the importance of successfully merging and sustaining a healthy corporate culture. Although mergers or restructurings tend to focus on financial and legal matters, the cultural aspect of such a major shift can be just as important to the future success and well-being of the company. When two companies come together, or when one undergoes a major change, there may be a risk of cultural clash and internal disputes. That’s why it’s so important to follow these essential steps to ensure your company culture continues to thrive.

Make Employees Feel Comfortable Communicating Their Concerns

Perhaps one of the most effective ways any company can ensure a healthy culture is by making it as straightforward as possible for all employees to voice their concerns and opinions. Make sure that you have a mechanism whereby employees can give their input as to how the merger or restructuring is going and whether the company culture needs to change. For instance, you should consider:

• Starting an anonymous complaints box
• Equipping the human resources department to deal swiftly with any concerns raised
• Holding meetings where employees can voice their concerns or add comments
• Making every employee feel valued and heard

Develop a Detailed Plan for Your Culture Going Forward

Without a plan, you may find your culture going off track quickly. Sit down and brainstorm different ways to unify your workforce and build a common foundation. Some fun and simple ideas could include providing:

• Employee training events
• Corporate retreats
• Additional employee benefits and other forms of support

Embed Your Company Culture Directly Into Your Brand

Lastly, to ensure a smooth transition going forward, make sure you embed aspects of the company culture directly into your branding. This lets both workers and consumers know exactly what your business stands for. You may want to consider updating or revising:

• Motto
• Logo
• Mission statement

Following a major corporate merger or restructuring, it’s more important than ever to focus on fostering a healthy and thriving corporate culture. No matter the size of your current company, it’s important to give employees a space to communicate their thoughts, develop a detailed plan for the company culture and weave that culture directly into the company’s branding. By following this simple, three-step playbook, you can successfully maintain a vibrant culture in your company even as the business continues to grow.