Examines how SME organisations can retain people’s identification with their founding purpose and values over time and promote the desired culture. Employees’ sense of purpose and the set of values steer and guide the culture of the organisation.

Our report, Keeping culture, purpose and values at the heart of your SME, highlights the key role of culture to business success. This report provides practical ideas, hints and tips for smaller businesses about how to retain what you’re all about over time. It draws on the practical experience of 16 case study organisations and consultants who work with SMEs.

The case study organisations are: Arolite, Caljan Rite-Hite, Choccywoccydoodah, DUO, EducationCity, Healthspan, IMarEST (The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology), Julia’s House, MJF Cleaning, Naked Wines, NP Group, Romax Technology, Secret Escapes, UKFast, Watford Community Housing Trust and Youthscape.

Download the report below

Keeping culture, purpose and values at the heart of your SME - Report
PDF document 616.8 KB

CIPD Trust

Tackling barriers to work today whilst creating inclusive workplaces of tomorrow.

Find out more

Bullying
and harassment

Discover our practice guidance and recommendations to tackle bullying and harassment in the workplace.

View our resources

More on this topic

Podcast

HR People Pod

The CIPD's fortnightly podcast brings together top HRDs, CPOs and business leaders to look behind the news headlines and current topics impacting HR practices

Listen now
Factsheet
Organisational climate and culture

Discover why organisational culture is an influential but problematic term, and why employers should focus on organisational climate to more readily enact positive change

For Members
Podcast

Creating a culture of psychological safety

Improved wellbeing, enhanced performance, risk taking and innovation are all desirable by-products of achieving a psychologically safe work environment. But how are we creating that environment in the first place?

Listen now

More reports

Report
Labour Market Outlook

Read our latest Labour Market Outlook report for analysis on employers’ recruitment, redundancy and pay intentions

Report
Resourcing and talent planning report

Trend analysis and benchmarking data on recruitment, retention and talent management to inform HR and employers on practice considerations and decision-making

Report
CIPD Good Work Index: Northern Ireland

A Northern Ireland summary of the CIPD Good Work Index 2024 survey report

Report
CIPD Good Work Index: Wales

A Wales summary of the CIPD Good Work Index 2024 survey report

See all reports