Culture isn’t a perk. It’s not beanbags, free fruit, or a jazzy PowerPoint. It’s the secret sauce that turns a workplace from good to great and with Global Company Culture Day on 18th September, there’s no better time to celebrate it.
Have you ever wondered about the missing ingredient that turns a workplace from good to great? Higher salaries, more holidays, and flexible working arrangements may look like they hold the answer on the surface, but we need to dive a little deeper. To add some real flavour to the place, we need a secret sauce that everyone loves.
I’m talking about building a company culture that helps everyone turn on rather than simply settle for turning up. With Global Company Culture Day on 18th September, what better time for a closer look?
Why Workplace Culture Matters
A culture is about so much more than handing out free fruit, a ping-pong table in the corner, and sprinkling a few beanbags on top (although these things are still appreciated!). It’s also about far more than pinging around the occasional PowerPoint deck and asking everyone to ‘buy in’ to a new approach.
Culture is about improving employee engagement, creating a sense of belonging at work, and making a team actually feel like a team. Imagine shifting from losing money due to presenteeism and a good-enough mindset to innovation and collaboration. Productivity goes up, the highest performers remain motivated, and everyone else sees that there are so many more opportunities for them to grow and develop. It’s the culture that brings everyone to a higher place; nothing else can do it.
How Culture Is Built Brick By Brick
There’s no magic PowerPoint that can transform culture overnight, and frankly, that’s a good thing. Culture is built in everyday gestures and the moments we share, not slides. At Wirex, I’ve seen first-hand how small, thoughtful actions create a ripple effect that changes how people feel at work. We’re proud of the strides that our People & Culture team have made so far - here are just a few highlights:
· Employee lifecycle surveys at key touchpoints ensure every Wirexer has a voice.
· Monthly mood and wellbeing pulses give us a real-time window into how people are doing.
· Always-On Feedback channels keep communication flowing openly, not just once a year.
· WoW Factor Awards, our global recognition programme, shine a spotlight on the amazing contributions of Wirexers everywhere.
· Enhanced family and domestic leave give people the support they need when life outside work really matters.
· Birthday and service anniversary off ensures Wirexers can enjoy the milestones that make life memorable.
The power of small actions applied consistently every single day across all levels is something that cannot be overstated. It’s what drives and shapes the culture, and it’s what helps all of us move beyond gimmicks and gestures so that we can focus on what really matters. If it brings people together, makes them feel valued, and sparks belonging - it’s not just worth considering, it’s worth celebrating.
Culture Begins With The Hiring Process
A remote-first environment presents a unique challenge because of the distribution of people across different locations. I’ve always believed that to get the culture right, we need to start by getting the hiring process right. Technical skills are essential, but cultural fit is where the magic happens. When values and behaviours align, people don’t just fill a role - they enrich the culture. Asking candidates about who they aspire to be in the future, what is important to them today, and how they would behave in specific situations truly matters.
Once the right person is found, they can add to the culture and drive measurable business outcomes. They’re collaborating, they’re bringing new ideas to the table, and they’re challenging the way we do things in a way that’s always positive and constructive.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Culture unites us, guides us, and belongs to all of us. So, this Global Company Culture Day, take a moment to ask yourself: what small action could I take to make my workplace stronger, kinder, and more connected?
Because in the end, a good company culture isn’t about turning up - it’s about turning on. That’s the secret sauce.