Bursts of growth are exciting in a small-medium sized business.  New clients, new projects and the team grows to support the increased demand. But with that growth comes a challenge: how do you scale up without losing the special culture that made your company special in the first place?

Here in New Zealand, we value close-knit teams, trust, and authenticity. When a business grows, there’s a risk that your company’s core values and mission can get diluted, leaving your people feeling disengaged. Here’s how to keep that from happening and ensure your culture stays intact as you grow:

Always Hire for Culture Fit, Not Just Skills

It’s tempting to hire the most qualified and experienced candidate, but if they don’t align with your culture and values, it can cause friction with existing staff. Look for people that get excited about your mission and who will fit into your team dynamics. Skills can be taught; attitude and values are harder to change.  Also, be careful when recruiting ‘corporate’ people into small business cultures, their experience maybe amazing, but they are used to working in a completely different way.

Communicate Your Purpose and Vision (Over and Over…and Over)

As you bring in new team members, make sure they know where the company is heading. Share your purpose and vision clearly in an induction and then regularly through team meetings, email updates, or informal chats. People want to feel like they’re part of something bigger, and a clear vision helps them see how they fit into the picture.

Keep Things Personal

Even as your team grows, keep the personal touches that make your business unique. Celebrate birthdays, organise team get-togethers, and keep those open-door policies. These little things help maintain the feel that smaller teams often have and prevent new hires from feeling lost in the growth. Walk around the business and get to know people, especially the new ones, look for common interests and make them feel safe and welcome.

Empower Your Team to Lead

When your business grows, it’s impossible for you to be involved in every decision. That’s where a strong culture comes in handy. By empowering your team to make decisions aligned with your values, you create a sense of ownership and trust. It also gives your managers a chance to reinforce the culture in their own way.

Listen and Adapt

Growing is all about change, and change can be uncomfortable. Take the time to listen to your team’s feedback. What’s working? What’s not? Being open to adapting your approach while staying true to your core values shows that you care about keeping the culture strong, even as things evolve.