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Learn more about how job applicants are assessing your company culture:.

What do you want to know?.

You send signals about your culture from your:.- About Us Page.- Email Etiquette.- Interview Process Clarity.- Language.- Listening.- Empathy. *ALL these disparate signals create the startup culture your candidates experience.*.

A lot of people think culture is something candidates assess during the interview process. Actually candidates are assessing the constant culture signals your startup puts out.

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Recently, I wrote up an entire newsletter issue about words. It’s for early-stage startup founders, and takes you step-by-step through a wording exercise. You can read it for free here:. If you know a founder who might benefit, please share it with them.

By using words thoughtfully at your startup you can build a strong culture that:.- Retains and empowers your team members.- Grows in a sustainable and positive way.The right words can completely change your startup culture.

We say about 5,000 words a day. Each word conveys meaning & associations. Each word conveys inclusiveness. Each word conveys what’s important at your startup. Carefully selecting the right words to describe your startup culture is crucial to your positive growth and success.

I’ve seen founders use the wrong words and miss out on a vital partnership. I’ve seen founders use the wrong words and loose funding. I’ve seen founders use the wrong words and hire the wrong team members. I’ve seen founders be unsuccessful because all their wrong words added up.

Being a founder means you do a lot of storytelling. You’re talking to investors, networking and rallying your team. Every time you talk, you’re crafting your startup culture.

“No one was qualified when they started, stop overthinking and just jump.”. – @orangebook_.

“Your zero-to-hero story is your most powerful marketing asset. Use it.”. – @ecomchasedimond.

That's a wrap!. If you enjoyed this thread:. 1. Follow me @ayouens for more of these.2. RT the tweet below to share this thread with your audience.

I learnt over 16 years as a co-founder:.Be intentional and consistent with your company culture. This leads to stability, success and solid culture foundations. Learn how to define and share your startup culture.

- Wellness budget to spend on hobbies, books, movies, travel, activity; whatever makes you feel better.- Stepping away from day-to-day operations with smart, kind and empathetic team members stepping up to lead on.

- Being open about my own mental health challenges and receiving support from my team.- Monday team meeting that also included a Scrum (random discussions like films, games or politics).- Using connection tools like Know Your Team.

- A culture pledge called Be Excellent To Each Other that we all sign and review.- Mental health check ins every day, as part of Slack standups.- Thursday team virtual hang out with games/drinks/chat.

Co-founding my first startup in 2005 & sharing our culture:.- In-office chat & Friday drinks.- Called people employees.- Eventually left due to co-founder culture issues…. Co-founding my second startup in 2021 & sharing our culture:.- Called people team members.

Candidates are assessing your startup culture, but it's not how you think: #peoplefirst #startupculture #culturetips #startupfounder