One for the boss: how to make your office a great place to work

When it comes to fostering an environment that employees can thrive in, there are a few key things to consider, according to an expert panel interviewed by The Guardian. Here are the highlights.

Show off your strengths
Attracting the right talent is all about presenting a welcoming and trusted brand. User-generated content such as online reviews, blog posts and social media comments are one way of portraying the culture of your company. Respond to criticism with tact and professionalism and accept praise with humility. People are more likely to trust the opinions of others.

Create a set of values
Business values go a long way to setting out a clear company culture and brand identity. Rachel Clacher, Co-Founder of phone answering service Moneypenny says managers have to ‘be’ the brand in everything they do and say. Use your values statement to outline how you talk to customers and each other.

Promote work-life balance
Every employee has the legal right to request flexible working after 26 weeks and a good work-life balance is on the top of many workers’ wish lists when they look for new jobs. Promote flexible arrangements by developing a clear set of guidelines of what you expect from anyone who works remotely so you can protect productivity while allowing your employees to have a good work-life balance.

Read the full article at bit.ly/1QXqBoG