⚡ Get All Content for 20% Off ⚡

Your Business Is Never Too Big to Be as Nimble as a Startup For established companies, shifting a corporate culture is one of the most significant -- and necessary -- changes it can undergo.

By Joy Chen

entrepreneur daily

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

d3sign | Getty Images

Conventional wisdom suggests that larger, more established companies are slower to adapt to changing consumer habits and trends and less likely to take risks. They're often criticized for having too much bureaucracy, too many levels of management and too many structures in place that prevent them from making decisions quickly and fostering innovation.

Conversely, startups are praised for their ability to be nimble, quick and freer to take risks. Innovation flourishes in this type of environment, where employees are empowered to think outside the box and business moves at the speed of light. But what if established brands adopted an entrepreneurial mindset?

Related: 10 Examples of Companies With Fantastic Cultures

The reality is, a company's size isn't important -- what really matters is its outlook and culture.

We all know that transitioning a traditional corporate structure to operate more like a startup isn't easy. For established companies, shifting a corporate culture is one of the most significant changes that a company can undergo. But that shift doesn't have to contradict the basic tenets of a successful established brand -- being nimble is about winning in the marketplace. It allows companies to be faster to market with more innovative products, thus beating out the competition and creating both financial and brand value. And there are many ways established brands can adopt the habits and culture of smaller startups.

1. Create a value-based company culture.

Creating a value-based company culture is the best way forward for any business and the best way to help employees thrive. Companies with a strong adaptive culture based on shared values are better able to build trust among team members. And creating an open and trusting culture that allows for team members to speak their mind and share their ideas leads to innovation -- thus benefiting the bottom line.

When I took over as CEO of H2O+ Beauty, an established skincare brand that had been around for several decades, I saw that the lack of constant innovation had resulted in the company losing its relevance. To correct that problem, we implemented a sweeping shift in the company's business model and culture, which included moving its headquarters to San Francisco, bringing on new team members, and establishing an "entrepreneurial" culture that values teamwork and innovation.

One of my favorite traditions that reflect this culture is our Friday "winedown," an opportunity for the team to get together every Friday afternoon over a glass of wine to discuss whatever comes to mind, both personal and professional. This casual and safe space for discussion and brainstorming has led to some of our company's best ideas.

Related: Can Your Company's Culture Disrupt the Sales Side of Your Business?

2. Transparency is key.

Another core tenet of a startup culture is transparency. While harder for large companies to adopt, its importance cannot be understated. Building a transparent environment where the team understands how the business operates and how the business is performing is a great way to get employee buy-in.

The best part is that it's often reciprocated. When employees are honest and direct with management, and leaders understand how the team is doing and feeling, everyone is better off. Recognizing and rewarding those who live the values and walk the walk will help reinforce the culture and make these changes stick.

When I first transitioned from a large corporation to a smaller brand, I made a very common mistake: scheduling too many meetings. Instead of walking over to someone's desk to ask a question, I emailed that person to schedule a meeting, which started to establish a precedent for conversations that were more closed-off and formal than they had to be. When I realized my mistake, a light bulb went off: fewer but more impactful meetings with team members at various levels helps align the whole team and allows for faster decision-making.

3. Celebrate wins.

One of the most important ways to maximize the potential of a brand is to celebrate successes along the way. Cheer for the team, because that gives them the confidence that the time and effort they're putting in really matters. Celebrate small wins, because those communicate progress, which is important for team motivation. Remind everyone that they're in it together and working toward the same company goals. These small victories help build momentum and motivate employees to continue to work hard.

Related: Being 'Authentic' Doesn't Mean You Have to Stay Small

Many established companies have a lot going for them. They benefit from greater resources, infrastructure, intellectual capital and financial stability. But with these changes, they too can become more nimble and, in turn, more innovative. Just think of all the possibilities if more established companies adopted an entrepreneurial, startup-inspired mindset. We'd have a lot of people challenging the status quo and creating something new.

Joy Chen

Co-founder and CEO of Pure Culture Beauty

Joy is the co-founder and CEO of Pure Culture Beauty, which she developed in partnership with Victor Casale (former Chief Chemist at MAC Cosmetics and founder of CoverFX) to innovate the skincare industry and deliver a suite of products that meet consumers’ unique skin needs. Formerly, she was the Chairman and CEO of H2O+ Beauty and the CEO and Executive Board Director of Yes To. She has a strong record of driving sales and profit growth by scaling businesses, transforming retail and marketing landscapes to online and digital, and building innovative brands. She remains an active board member for nonprofit organizations and startup businesses. Joy received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a Masters of Business Administration from Harvard University.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Remote Side Hustle a 43-Year-Old Musician Works on for 1 Hour a Day Earns Nearly $3,000 a Month: 'All From the Comfort of Home'

Sam Ziegler wanted to supplement his income as a professional drummer — then his tech skills and desire to help people came together.

Business News

AI Is Impacting Jobs. Here Are the Gigs Affected the Most, According to an Analysis of 5 Million Upwork Postings

The researcher said in the report that freelance jobs were analyzed first because that market will likely see AI's immediate impact.

Leadership

Former Interrogator Shares 5 Behaviors Liars Exhibit and How to Handle Them

Five deceptive behaviors to look for and how to respond to those behaviors when you encounter them.

Money & Finance

4 Promising Industries Investors Should Be Watching in 2024

Wondering whether your industry is on the decline or set to expand? Read on for these predictions on the best sectors for growth in 2024.