A values-based corporate culture is fast becoming an integral factor in the workplace. It sets the tone for the daily employee experience – employees want to feel good about their work activities, and a positive culture fosters deep awareness and identification.

The effectiveness of employee referral programs is affected by the quality of the corporate culture. Since referral programs are optional to employees, and lie outside of their job descriptions, they are more likely to be involved if they feel a mutual affinity towards their company.

Here are 4 ways your employee referral program could benefit from your values-driven culture:

1. Pride: An excellent corporate culture yields proud employees – employees who are willing to show their appreciation and help out your sourcing expedition. While they may already be receiving bonuses for their efforts, the knowledge that their company rocks gives them that extra push to step up to the plate.

2. Employment Buzz: Aside from providing internal motivation, employees can use the tangible evidence of your corporate culture as proof to their referrals of what a catch your company is. It supplies employees with photos and videos of your recent company fun days, blog testimonials of their co-workers explaining how they have grown professionally during their tenure, and simply the ability to explain to their referrals exactly why they feel that your organization is the place to work.

3. Social Reputation: In today’s world of social media where good – and bad – news travels fast, it’s important that exposure of your corporate culture precedes you. Even before your employees reach out to their referrals, they should already know that yours is a great workplace.

4. Attract the Best: Referrals are strong candidates who want to work in an environment in which they feel valued, challenged, and positioned to further their career. A corporate culture that outwardly embodies these same mission and goals will attract better referrals.

Conclusion

Corporate cultures that promote trust, respect and transparency are ripe for creating successful referral programs. Referral programs thrive when employees are involved in the process and recognized for their participation. Acknowledging your workers as integral contributors to your program – and, by extension, the workplace as a whole –place value on their efforts.

Your referral program will also increase exposure of your employer brand. The better the corporate culture, the more positive the employer brand, and the more people will want to work at your company.

Source: http://blog.gooodjob.com/2013/01/why-corporate-cultures-are-key-to-...