“Teamwork makes the dream work!”
Yeah, I know. That may be one of the most overused team quotes around. But the thing is, it’s also 100% true.
There’s just something magical about a workplace that feels like the Three Musketeers: “All for one and one for all!”
It makes for an environment people actually want to show up to every day.
But even then, no workplace feels like sunshine and rainbows 24/7.
At Patrick Accounting, we’ve worked with hundreds of small business owners who struggle with staffing and creating that magical workplace. The most common challenges we see include:
- High turnover costs eating into your profits.
- Difficulty attracting and retaining talent.
- Productivity issues stemming from disengaged employees.
- Team conflicts that drain energy and distract focus from your business goals.
- The constant concern about how to build loyalty when you can’t afford huge bonuses.
What is Your Culture Costing You?
These staffing and culture problems aren’t just frustrating, they’re expensive. And they’re particularly challenging for small businesses where every hire and every dollar matters more.
The good news? Small businesses actually have a distinct advantage—your staff members aren’t just numbers, and you can build strong, meaningful connections that larger companies often struggle with. Smaller organizations often find it easier to improve culture because they have less hierarchy, better access to leadership, greater agility, a stronger sense of community, and better alignment with values.
Over the years, we’ve discovered some simple but powerful ways to create a culture people love. And we want to share those ideas with you, so you too can build a business where people want to work. Here are five strategies that have worked for us:
- Start with “Thank you.”
- Connect rewards to your values.
- Include your entire team.
- Ask your team what motivates them.
- Make recognition fun and interactive.
“Culture is simply a shared way of doing something with a passion.” — Brian Chesky, Co-founder of Airbnb
5 Small Business Culture-Building Strategies to Boost Employee Engagement
As small business leaders, it’s important to remember that our attitude is contagious. It becomes the barometer that everyone else in the office checks to set their own mood—influencing how each day plays out.
We also need to remember that our team members have lives outside of work, and they’re choosing to spend a large chunk of their waking hours with us. If we want them to be more engaged, more productive, and more attentive, then they must know we genuinely care about them.
So, we’ve identified five key strategies that consistently build stronger, more positive workplaces. These aren't complicated or expensive initiatives—they’re simple, actionable steps that transform how people feel about coming to work each day.
1. Start with “Thank You” (But Do It Right)
The simple act of saying “thank you” might be the most underrated culture-builder out there—whether it's thanking someone face to face or sending a handwritten note.
Public recognition tends to resonate, as well. When you acknowledge someone’s hard work in front of their peers (or even their spouse or kids who happen to stop by the office), it builds both individual confidence and team standards. And it creates a moment they’ll remember.
Timing and context are also key. Immediate recognition for a job well done feels more authentic than saving it for a quarterly or annual review. You also need to ensure that you have the full picture of everyone who played a part in a success before you make any public recognitions. The last thing you want to do is leave someone out.
What makes gratitude particularly powerful in small businesses is the personal touch. When you know someone stayed late to help a client or several members of your team took time to brainstorm a creative solution to a persistent problem, making the effort to acknowledge those contributions shows you're paying attention to the details.
Want to take your appreciation game to the next level? Check out our article on The Three Questions to Assess Your “Thanks ROI” to make sure your gratitude lands.
2. Connect Rewards to Your Values
Rewards that support your company’s values hold more meaning and leave a lasting impression. At Patrick Accounting, we work as a team and win as a team.
Some of our favorite traditions include:
- Ringing the bell in our “bullpen” for big wins.
- Awarding the Patrick Accounting belt and glove each month (a nod to our Rocky-inspired brand story of climbing the stairs to get one step better every day).
- Sending care packages in the mail for various occasions and events…or just for the heck of it.
Think about what symbols represent your company’s values, and then turn them into tangible recognition. And while you’re thinking about that, take a look at our article to identify 5 Non-Cash Ways to Motivate and Appreciate Your Employees.
3. Include Your Entire Team
Remember that it takes the whole team to create success. Every person needs to know their role and what “winning” looks like for them.
The sales team has obvious metrics to celebrate, but what about your behind-the-scenes heroes? The admin who keeps everything running smoothly? The person who makes sure bills get paid on time?
Get creative with how you measure and celebrate success across all departments. Sometimes the most valuable team members are the least visible.
“Great things in business are never done by one person; they're done by a team of people.” — Steve Jobs
4. Ask What Motivates Your Team
Have you ever opened a gift and had to fake excitement? Most of us have. Don’t let your rewards program create that same awkward energy.
Instead, take the time to find out what actually motivates your people:
- Run a quick poll in Slack.
- Add questions to your performance reviews.
- Simply ask during team meetings.
- Set up an idea box for people to drop suggestions.
You might be surprised by what you discover. When we did this, we found that some team members value a free pizza to take home to their family more than a gift card because it saves them time on a busy weeknight. Others love our “office for a month” prize, where they get to use a prime office space for a month.
Small businesses might not have massive budgets for rewards, but creativity that shows you put some thought into things often beats cash anyway.
5. Make Recognition Fun and Interactive
We use a prize wheel to add a game show element to our recognition. (These are easy to order online branded with your company logo.) Team members can choose an item from our prize menu or bank their points to redeem for something bigger at a later date.
The excitement of spinning the wheel and choosing their own reward creates more engagement than just handing out a predetermined gift. This approach to employee engagement costs far less than many corporate programs but delivers greater impact because it’s personal and fun.
“Customers will never love a company until the employees love it first.” — Leadership expert, Simon Sinek
Consistency is Key to Building a Positive Work Environment
Culture is built through intentional effort and repetition.
You can’t discuss your mission and values once and expect them to stick. Culture requires constant reinforcement:
- Celebrate when someone embodies your values.
- Privately coach when someone misses the mark.
- Repeat your values at every all-hands meeting.
At Patrick Accounting, we review our core values regularly as a team exercise. It helps new team members understand what we mean by “Team First,” “Own It,” “Challenge It,” “Passion for Purpose,” and “Empathy for Others.” And it reminds everyone why these principles matter.
Ready to Create a Winning Culture in Your Small Business?
Building a great culture in your small business doesn’t require a massive HR budget. Simple team-building strategies can be some of your most powerful tools to address staffing issues and challenges.
In the 20 years we’ve spent helping small businesses build thriving, profitable companies, we’ve seen that the best company cultures are often achieved through consistent appreciation, clear values, and genuine care for your team.
A great culture and a profitable business aren’t separate goals. They’re two sides of the same business success coin. When your team feels valued, your customers feel it too, and that’s when the magic happens.
Investing in your culture isn’t just about making work more enjoyable. It’s one of the smartest moves you can make for your business. A strong culture leads to higher productivity, lower turnover, and greater profits.
What If Your Accountant Could Help You Make Your Business More Profitable?
Ready to build a thriving workplace and fuel your business growth? These resources will help:
8 Ways to Improve Your Profits in 30 Days
The Cost of Not Having a Small Business Accountant
