Company Culture Examples: Exploring the Good, the Bad & How to Build the Best

When we hear about what sets good companies apart from the great, company culture is a buzzword often thrown around. But what exactly does this term encompass? Today we are going to define company culture and review successful company culture examples. That way, you can walk away and implement, refine, and adjust the culture of your company for the better. Ready to learn everything you ever wanted to know about company culture and discover corporate culture examples to emulate?

What is company culture?

Company culture is a widely used term for larger organizations, but what exactly is meant by this term? Consider company culture the DNA of your business. It is the force that drives your operations, defines team member interactions, and dictates performance.

Rather than having a concrete definition, company culture is a dynamic blend of various elements that collectively shape the work environment and the behavior of employees. It is influenced by the DNA of the organization, which is structured by its strategic narrative. Company culture includes:

• Mission and core values: The company’s mission and core values define its purpose and set ethical standards.
• Leadership style: Leaders set the tone of the company culture, influencing whether it fosters trust, collaboration, or rigidity.
• Communication patterns: The degree of openness of your communication channels affects alignment and employee engagement.
• Recognition and celebration: Programs that celebrate achievements and recognize contributions foster a positive work environment.
• Work environment: The physical and virtual work environments directly impact employee satisfaction and productivity.
• Employee behavior: The daily interactions of employees reflect the norms, attitudes, and values upheld by the company.
• Hiring practices: Hiring for cultural fit ensures that new employees align with the company’s core values and mission.
• Work-life balance: Initiatives that promote flexibility and well-being contribute to overall employee satisfaction.
• Learning and development: Providing opportunities for growth and training drives innovation and enhances adaptability within the workforce.
• Diversity and inclusion: A culture that values and embraces differences creates a more inclusive and dynamic environment.

So overall, company culture embodies the elements that make a company unique internally — as well as the external reputation of the company. And as you’ll soon see by examining some leading company culture examples, creating a defined culture gives companies a competitive edge.

Why a good company culture is important

Did you know that 67% of executives prioritize company culture over organizational strategy and operating models? This statistic, provided by Forbes, reveals the significance of company culture. But let’s elaborate on just why company culture matters to business.

Remember how I said company culture shapes reputation? Well, reputation matters big time when it comes to attracting everything from top talent to stakeholders to loyal customers. According to Randstad, a whopping 86% of potential employees would not apply or continue to work for a company that has a bad reputation with the public or former employees.

Meanwhile, Randstad also lists that 58% of employees either left a job or considered leaving if they felt office politics negatively influenced company culture. Therefore, it’s clear company culture is a crucial aspect of what leads to employee retention and satisfaction.

While bad company culture can cause companies to lose out when it comes to retaining top talent, creating a good company culture has some major advantages. In fact, a strong company culture that attracts top talent leads to a 33% revenue increase according to findings from Gallup.

As the above figures help to illustrate, company culture is a key player in both employee engagement and employee retention. It’s also an essential component to sustainable modern business success — especially in the age of social media and widespread cancel culture where false moves can sink institutional reputations.

Types of company culture

Soon, we’ll examine some company culture examples to see what companies are doing right — as well as toxic workplace culture examples to avoid. But first, let’s define the types of company culture.

The types of culture in a company vary. They can include:

6 examples of workplace culture from top companies

To improve company culture — and in turn, raise employee retention — it helps to take a look at company culture examples that work. That’s why we’re going to examine six companies that have distinguished themselves with exceptional examples of good corporate culture. Each of the business culture examples below has also defined clear company values that align with creating a positive company culture and attractive work environments. Likely, many of these names don’t come as a surprise.

1. Aldi

The multinational family-owned discount supermarket chain Aldi is known around the world for its efficient and supportive company culture. The company focuses on simplicity and efficiency, encouraging employees to be proactive and take ownership of their roles. Aldi invests heavily in employee development and offers clear career progression paths. This fosters a sense of loyalty and motivation among staff. Their culture emphasizes teamwork and a strong work ethic, ensuring that every employee feels valued and part of the company’s success.

Aldi core values: The Aldi corporate website states, “We like to think of ourselves as an ally for our customers in better-for-you shopping and living.” Aldi focuses on high-quality and curated products, carefully selected suppliers, closely monitored ingredients, and a commitment to reducing its environmental impact.

What you can learn from this company’s culture for your own organization: Aldi’s culture teaches the importance of clear communication and career development opportunities. By fostering an environment where employees feel supported and can see a clear path to advancement, your organization can boost employee satisfaction and retention. Meanwhile, Aldi outwardly projects a culture of customer care and social responsibility that shapes a positive image.

2. Adidas

Athletic apparel and footwear corporation Adidas is known for its innovative and inclusive corporate culture. The company encourages creativity and collaboration, allowing employees to bring fresh ideas to the table. Adidas promotes diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued. Their focus on work-life balance, sustainability, and employee well-being has earned them a reputation as a forward-thinking and employee-friendly company.

Adidas core values: The Adidas website defines the company values as “COURAGE, OWNERSHIP, INNOVATION, TEAMPLAY, INTEGRITY, and RESPECT.” The values are “closely tied to our culture and ultimately are the essence of our identity” and they aid workers in cultivating the Adidas mindset.

What you can learn from this company’s culture for your own organization: From examining the values of Adidas, you can learn the importance of fostering creativity and collaboration in the workplace. Encouraging diversity and inclusion, as well as supporting employee well-being, can create a positive work environment that attracts top talent. Adidas defines clear values that they want not just their employees to embody but that are also represented by the Adidas brand.

3. DHL

Logistics company DHL is recognized for its people-first approach to corporate culture. The company invests in training and development, offering employees numerous opportunities to grow within the organization. DHL emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collaboration, which is reflected in its global success. Their commitment to employee engagement and satisfaction is evident through their open communication channels and strong leadership.

DHL core values: The DHL Group defines its values as “We deliver the difference.” The website reads, “Purpose and innovation are at the heart of our business.” DHL offers a commitment to customers, colleagues, and global communities, and an initiative to drive positive change. The company lists health and well-being programs, DEIB commitment, and numerous impactful initiatives.

What you can learn from this company’s culture for your own organization: DHL’s culture highlights the value of investing in your employees’ growth and development. Open communication and strong leadership are both critical components of a thriving corporate culture. DHL also demonstrates the value of community building and strengthening customer relationships, while providing direct examples of impact initiatives to back up well-being offers.

4. Google

Here’s one name that all readers will recognize. Google is often cited as one of the leading company culture examples worldwide. Their workplace culture is built around innovation, transparency, and flexibility. Google offers employees a wide range of benefits and perks, such as flexible work hours, free meals, and on-site wellness services. The company encourages employees to take risks, think creatively, and continuously learn. These aspects contribute to their high levels of employee satisfaction and productivity.

Google core values: Google famously defined their core values as a list of, “Ten things we know to be true.” The first of these often-repeated values is, “Focus on the user and all else will follow.” In addition to becoming well-known for its commitment to creating an outstanding employee experience, the Google core values also communicate the importance of creating an exceptional work environment and products.

What you can learn from this company’s culture for your own organization: Google’s culture shows the importance of creating an environment where innovation and creativity are encouraged. Offering flexible work options and prioritizing employee well-being can significantly boost morale and productivity. Transparency and open communication are also key to building trust and fostering a positive workplace culture.

5. Patagonia

Outdoor recreational clothing company Patagonia is celebrated for its strong commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility. It is among the top workplace culture examples for this cause, as sustainable efforts are deeply embedded in its corporate culture. The company encourages its employees to take part in environmental activism and offers flexible work arrangements to support this. Patagonia’s culture is also characterized by a strong sense of purpose, as employees are motivated by the company’s mission to protect the planet.

Patagonia core values: Patagonia defines its values as quality, integrity, environmentalism, justice, and not being bound by convention. It encourages employees to, “Be just, equitable and antiracist as a company and in our community.” Patagonia also has an activism page on its website. Meanwhile, the inclusion of Patagonia Films highlights its celebration of the planet.

What you can learn from this company’s culture for your own organization: Patagonia’s culture highlights the importance of aligning your company’s mission with your corporate culture. By promoting a strong sense of purpose and responsibility, you can inspire employees to be passionate and committed to their work. Additionally, supporting causes that resonate with your workforce can enhance job satisfaction and attract like-minded talent.

6. Zappos

Online shoe and clothing retailer Zappos is well-known for its unique and customer-centric corporate culture. The company places a strong emphasis on employee happiness and believes that happy employees lead to happy customers. Zappos empowers its employees to make decisions and go above and beyond for customers. Their core values, such as delivering WOW through service and creating fun and a little weirdness, are deeply ingrained in their culture and guide every aspect of their business.

Zappos core values: Zappos has a company culture dubbed “the culture everyone wants to copy.” In addition to their WOW pledge, the company has nine other core values that it shares with employees. These include embracing and driving change, pursuing growth, being passionate, doing more with less, and being humble. Plus, the company encourages weirdness and individuality.

What you can learn from this company’s culture for your own organization: Like the previous company culture examples, Zappos demonstrates the power of a strong values-driven culture. By aligning your business operations with core values that prioritize both employee satisfaction and customer service, you can create a thriving work environment. Empowering employees to take initiative while also expressing themselves produces empowered and innovative teams.

Components of a good company culture

Now that we’ve reviewed corporate culture examples that are outstanding, let’s delve into some of the components of good company culture. What do the exceptional business culture examples have in common? One differentiating factor is leadership communication. Transparent, open communication from leadership ensures employees feel informed and valued, fostering a trusting and engaged workforce.

Another crucial element is diversity and inclusion. In the best company culture examples, you’ll find organizations that embrace different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. This not only strengthens innovation but also promotes a sense of belonging among employees.

Transparency also plays a vital role. Businesses that foster transparency — whether in decision-making, financial health, or company goals — create an environment where employees are empowered, leading to higher morale and accountability.

Together, these elements — clear leadership communication, diversity, inclusion, and transparency — form the foundation of a thriving company culture.

How to spot good and bad workplace culture (with examples)

Recognizing the signs of good and bad workplace culture is essential for both attracting and retaining talent, as well as ensuring long-term business success. Good company cultures foster innovation, collaboration, and employee satisfaction, while bad cultures can lead to high turnover rates, lower morale, and reduced productivity.

By examining good work culture examples and contrasting them with bad company culture examples, we can better understand the characteristics that make or break an organization’s internal environment.

Examples of good work culture

We’ve already spent quite some time examining good work culture examples today. To provide an overview of the topic, companies like Google and Patagonia often top the list. These organizations have built environments that emphasize creativity, transparency, and social responsibility.

They also encourage flexibility, which empowers employees to balance personal and professional lives, driving higher engagement and satisfaction. Meanwhile, at Zappos, the focus on employee happiness directly translates into excellent customer service, demonstrating how a positive workplace culture can impact overall business success.

Examples of toxic workplace culture

While we’ve explored good company culture examples, it’s equally important to identify the traits of toxic workplace culture to avoid. Toxic cultures often emerge in environments where communication is poor, leadership is disconnected, and employee well-being is neglected. In these workplaces, employees may feel unsupported, undervalued, and disengaged, leading to high turnover, low morale, and in severe cases, public scandals.

For example, Uber faced public scrutiny for fostering a high-pressure, competitive environment where success was prioritized at any cost. This culture encouraged unethical behavior, including harassment and discrimination, which went unchecked by leadership. The lack of accountability and transparency within Uber’s workplace resulted in a major hit to its reputation and led to significant changes in leadership. The lesson from Uber’s downfall is clear: a culture that ignores employee well-being and ethical practices can quickly spiral out of control, no matter how successful the company may appear on the surface.

Similarly, Wells Fargo became infamous for its toxic, results-driven culture, where employees were pressured to meet unrealistic sales goals. This environment led to widespread misconduct, including the creation of millions of fake accounts to meet quotas. The toxic pressure to perform resulted in widespread internal dissatisfaction and ultimately damaged the company’s trust with its customers. Wells Fargo’s example shows how a hyper-focus on short-term results, without regard for ethical standards or employee morale, can lead to long-term damage.

Both of these examples illustrate how toxic cultures can create a snowball effect of negative consequences. From unethical practices and legal issues to employee burnout and damage to a company’s brand, the cost of a toxic culture is immense. Therefore, businesses need to recognize the warning signs of toxicity — such as poor communication, disconnected leadership, and excessive pressure.

How to improve company culture

Improving company culture is a crucial step in building a thriving, engaged workforce. Whether you’re looking to emulate company culture examples from industry leaders or create a unique culture that fits your organization, it starts with a commitment to ongoing development. A positive company culture doesn’t just happen — it requires deliberate effort, structured communication, and alignment with the company’s core values.

Here are five ways to improve company culture for your company:

1. Foster open communication: Prioritize transparency by encouraging feedback through surveys, town halls, and open-door policies. Use communication tools like an intranet and employee apps to keep employees informed and aligned with company goals.
2. Define and reinforce core values: Clearly establish and communicate your core values, integrating them into daily operations. The aforementioned examples like Patagonia and Zappos show how values guide employee behavior and strengthen company mission alignment.
3. Invest in employee development: Offer professional growth opportunities and wellness initiatives to improve job satisfaction and engagement. Companies like Google demonstrate how focusing on employee well-being boosts loyalty and retention.
4. Recognize and reward contributions: Create formal recognition programs to celebrate individual and team achievements. Examples from Adobe and Airbnb highlight how recognition motivates employees and fosters a positive work environment.
5. Promote diversity and inclusion: Prioritize inclusive hiring, training, and representation to create a dynamic workplace. Focus on equality to drive innovation and employee satisfaction.

These steps offer practical ways to improve company culture and work towards a more positive and productive future that emulates the positive company culture examples.

Improve company culture with internal comms solutions

We’ve now done a thorough job examining company culture examples to create a clear image of how a strong culture looks. I’m sure only one question remains — How do I create this kind of company culture for my business or organization? When it comes to creating culture, companies need action plans. The heart of the action plans? Communication.

Employee connection tools like employee intranet platforms, employee email, and employee apps allow companies to distribute information to all employees. Additionally, they provide opportunities for employee collaboration to champion teamwork and establish a feedback culture.

Employee apps are also a great platform for establishing a company’s core values. To create a clear reputation, companies should select several values that most align with their mission, vision, and purpose. They should then routinely emphasize these values in all aspects of work. Integrate the core values into your company branding and make them a cornerstone of your organization.

Additionally, establishing a code of conduct dictates to employees how they should behave. Have all information included in the employee handbook and reviewed during the onboarding process. Keep in mind that codes of conduct should be embodied by all employees. Have your employees embrace the principles of the company through daily interactions.

To establish a clear culture, team leaders and higher-ups should set examples for all workers. This means creating a caring, positive work environment. Some companies might err on the formal side while others champion relaxed environments. But it’s up to leaders to make sure that the tone of the office and communications (whether at home or in-person) always reflects the standards of the company.

Closing words on company culture

At Staffbase we believe in defining a clear company culture, which is why we set our values of care, ownership, and growth. We also provide extensive communications tools, including employee apps, to keep workers connected and make it easier to create a positive work environment where everyone has equal access to information.

With Mission Control, our advanced communication management system, it is now easier than ever to establish centralized planning, enhanced employee collaboration, and measurable impact metrics. This empowers companies to align their communications efforts with ongoing goals and initiatives and support the creation of a strong company culture.