Unlock the Secret to Building a Culture Code That Rocks - Lessons from Netflix, Zappos, and HubSpot

What do companies like Netflix, Zappos, and HubSpot have in common? They all have a culture code that rocks.

A culture code is a set of guiding principles that define a company’s values, beliefs, and behaviours. It’s like a roadmap that helps everyone in the organisation stay aligned and focused on what matters most.

When building a great company, having a culture code that connects is key. But how do you go about creating one that really shines? Luckily, I’ve done the hard work for you and compiled lessons from some of the best culture codes out there. Here’s what I’ve learned from Netflix, Zappos, and HubSpot.

Lesson #1: Know Your Values

The first step in building a culture code is to define your company’s core values. These are the principles that guide your decisions and actions, and they should reflect the essence of your company’s identity.

Netflix’s core values include things like “judgment,” “curiosity,” and “courage,” while Zappos emphasises “delivering wow through service” and “embracing and driving change.” Each company’s values are unique, but they all serve as a foundation for their culture codes.

Lesson #2: Tell Your Story

Your culture code should reflect the history and evolution of your company. This helps people understand why you do what you do.

HubSpot’s culture code includes a section called “Our Story” that outlines the company’s journey from a startup to a global leader in marketing software. This section helps employees connect with the company’s mission and purpose.

Lesson #3: Define Your Behaviours

Your culture code is more than just a set of values. It’s also a set of behaviours that reflects those values. These behaviours should be specific, measurable, and actionable, and they should guide the way people interact with each other and with customers.

Zappos’ culture code has a section on “delivering wow through service,” which outlines specific behaviours like “go above and beyond” and “create fun and a little weirdness.” These behaviours help employees understand what’s expected of them and how to embody the company’s values.

Lesson #4: Involve Your Team

Creating a culture code shouldn’t be a top-down exercise. Instead, it should be a collaborative effort that involves everyone in the organisation. This helps ensure that the code is authentic and reflective of the company’s culture.

A cross-functional team of employees created Netflix’s culture code, and the entire organisation regularly provides feedback to update it. This ensures that the code remains relevant and resonates with everyone in the company.

Lesson #5: Live Your Code

Finally, a culture code is only effective if everyone in an organisation lives and breathes it. Leaders need to embody the values and behaviours outlined in the code, and everyone in a company needs to hold each other accountable for upholding them.

Zappos takes its culture code so seriously that it offers employees $2,000 to quit if they don’t feel like they’re a good fit with the company’s values. This incentive ensures that everyone on the team is fully committed to living the code.

In a world where companies rise and fall at lightning speed, building a strong culture has never been more important. Creating a culture code is a crucial step in building a company that attracts top talent, drives results, and makes a positive impact on the world. By knowing your values, telling your story, defining your behaviours, involving your team, and living your code, you can create a culture that rocks. So, what are you waiting for? Start building your culture code today!

Share your culture code success story: Have you successfully built a culture code that rocks? I’d love to hear about it and share your story with other readers.

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Cheers,

Karl Cremin

Click here to access a culture code template from Hubspot.