The ROI of a Healthy Culture: Why Investing in People Pays Off
Why investing in people pays off.
By Kaitlin Beck, Founder – Vital Culture
When business is booming and growth is rapid, it’s easy to focus on strategy, sales, and systems, sometimes at the expense of culture. But here’s the truth: even the best-laid plans will stall if your team isn’t aligned, engaged, and thriving. That’s why culture isn’t a “nice-to-have”, it’s the engine room of sustainable growth. Something that should be part of your People Strategy.
The Hidden Costs of Poor Culture
We’ve all seen the warning signs:
High turnover when you need stability most
Disengaged teams missing targets
Leaders stretched thin, putting out fires instead of driving strategy
Great people quietly checking out or moving on
These aren’t just “people problems”, they’re performance problems. Research consistently shows that poor culture quietly drains businesses of time, money, and opportunity. According to Gallup, disengaged employees cost businesses up to 18% of their annual salary in lost productivity alone. For a team of 30, that adds up fast.
Mini Case Study: Turning Values into Results
Recently, I worked with a local business that had experienced a period of rapid growth. They were facing high staff turnover, inconsistent onboarding, and a sense that their original purpose had gotten lost along the way. Together, we:
Revisited and reactivated their core values, making sure they were reflected in daily behaviours, not just in a handbook
Clarified roles and expectations across the team
Introduced new routines and regular touchpoints to keep culture visible and actionable
The result?
Team engagement increased noticeably, with more participation and positive energy
Onboarding became smoother, with new hires getting up to speed faster and staying longer
Leaders reported greater clarity and spent less time dealing with unexpected issues
Most importantly, the team felt reconnected to what mattered, and that shift showed up in both performance and retention.
Why Is the ROI So High?
Because culture touches everything.
Every system, every process, every interaction is shaped by the culture you foster. When people feel connected and valued, they give their best, and that flows directly to your bottom line.
Businesses that invest in culture often see 20–30% improvements in productivity and retention. For many, that’s the difference between treading water and sustainable, scalable growth.
How to Start Turning the Dial Up
Check the pulse: Use simple surveys or honest conversations to understand how your team is feeling right now.
Reset expectations: Clarify values, roles, and what “great” looks like, especially after rapid growth or change.
Embed new rhythms: Make culture visible in meetings, recognition, and the way you make decisions.
Ready to See the ROI for Yourself?
Culture isn’t a quick fix, but it is a lever you can pull to unlock great results. If you’re navigating growth or change and want to build a culture that drives performance (not just survives it), let’s chat.
At Vital Culture, we help businesses turn vision into strategy, strategy into systems, and systems into sustained growth—with people at the core.
Curious how a healthy culture could pay off for your business?
Drop me a message or connect via vitalculture.com.au I’m always up for a conversation about what’s possible.
Why Communication Still Sets Winning Teams Apart in 2025
When you step into a thriving business, you notice it straight away. There’s energy, momentum, and a sense that everyone is working towards something bigger—together. At the heart of that feeling? Communication.
In my work with Perth businesses, I see it time and again: when communication is clear, honest, and intentional, teams move faster, leaders have more headspace, and performance lifts across the board. But when it breaks down, even the best strategy or systems can’t save you from confusion, frustration, and missed opportunities.
What the Data Says: Atlassian’s State of Teams 2025
Atlassian’s State of Teams 2025 report is packed with fresh insights on what really drives team performance today. Their research is clear:
Communication is the #1 performance driver. It’s not about having more meetings—it’s about clarity, context, and real connection.
Clear goals and shared outcomes keep teams aligned. When everyone knows what success looks like, decision-making gets easier and results follow.
Simple, repeatable systems support growth. The best teams have ways of working that make it easy to share information, track progress, and keep momentum going.
Living your values matters. Teams that consistently act on their values outperform those that just talk about them—especially under pressure.
Psychological safety is non-negotiable. When people feel safe to speak up, innovation and accountability follow.
How This Shows Up in Real Life
Recently, I worked with a local team in the midst of rapid growth. On paper, they had a solid strategy and talented people. But under the surface, communication had become patchy. Team members were making assumptions, “corridor conversations” were creeping in, and the same issues kept resurfacing.
We started by rebuilding their communication rhythms—making space for open conversations, feedback, and clarity on who owns what. We set clear, shared goals and put simple systems in place to support daily work. The impact was immediate:
Engagement and trust lifted
Decisions sped up
The team started enjoying coming to work again
Practical Steps for Your Team
You don’t need to be a tech giant to get this right. Here’s where to start:
Set clear expectations: Make it obvious how, when, and where your team communicates—especially as you grow.
Document what matters: Don’t rely on memory or hallway chats. Write down decisions, next steps, and feedback.
Create space for honest feedback: Encourage your team to speak up, ask questions, and share ideas—without fear.
Ritualise connection: Weekly check-ins, monthly reviews, or daily huddles—find what works and make it a habit.
Why It Matters
When communication is intentional, everything else gets easier. Teams align, leaders lead, and systems actually support growth (instead of getting in the way).
At Vital Culture, we don’t do band-aid fixes or big talk with no follow-through. We help you build the structure, habits, and conversations that drive real performance and set your business up to win—now and as you grow.
Want to see what high-performing communication looks like in action?
Check out Atlassian’s State of Teams 2025 report for practical frameworks, data, and examples you can use with your own team.
Ready to move your team from “good enough” to great? Let’s talk.
#CultureWithPurpose #BuildStrong #LeadWell #TeamCommunication #VitalCulture
Relating to Every Person in Your Team: The Bridge to a More Diverse, Connected Culture
At Vital Culture, I’ve seen that a business’s real strength comes from genuine relationships with every person in the team—especially when those people bring a rich mix of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Whether you’re growing quickly, welcoming new leaders, or refining how your team works together, the ability to connect across diversity is what brings your culture and vision to life.
Why Relatability Across Diversity Matters
Culture isn’t just a set of values on a page—it’s lived in everyday conversations, shared wins, and the way people support one another through change. My approach is to meet people where they are, listen, and understand the unique experiences that shape your workplace. This respect and curiosity help everyone feel included and valued, no matter their background or role.
Building Trust Across a Diverse Team
Trust is built through consistent actions and open communication. I work alongside your people—facilitating workshops, joining meetings, and having honest conversations—to understand what’s working and what needs to shift. This ensures any solution is practical and meaningful for every part of your team.
Translating Direction for Every Perspective
Every team communicates differently, and every background brings its own strengths. My role is to ensure your priorities and goals are understood by everyone, using language and examples that resonate broadly. When people see how their work fits into the bigger picture, they’re more likely to participate and contribute.
Bringing Values to Life for All
Values are most powerful when they’re visible in daily decisions, rituals, and recognition. I help teams turn values into simple, repeatable actions that everyone can get behind—making your culture something people experience every day.
Making Space for Every Voice
Some of the best insights come from the most unexpected places. I encourage input from across the team, not just from leadership. By creating space for everyone to participate and share their perspective, we build a stronger, more connected workplace.
Real-World Example: Bridging the Gap in a Diverse Team
Recently, I worked with a business where the leadership team wanted to drive a new direction, but found it challenging to engage a diverse group within the team—employees from different backgrounds and life experiences who felt disconnected from the “big picture.” The leader was frustrated: messages about purpose and new initiatives just weren’t landing.
Here’s how I helped bridge that gap:
I spent time listening to team members from different backgrounds, learning what motivated them and what support they needed. Their feedback was honest—they wanted practical tools, clear expectations, and to see how changes would make their jobs better.
I worked with the leader to adapt messaging, focusing less on abstract strategy and more on real-life benefits: better rosters, more recognition, and opportunities for skill-building.
We set up informal Q&A sessions and small group workshops, allowing team members to share ideas and feedback directly with leadership.
I provided simple tools to keep communication open—regular check-ins, quick surveys, and shout-outs for everyday wins.
The result? Team members felt heard and included. The leader found new ways to connect. Over time, engagement improved and the gap between leadership and the diverse team began to close.
In Practice
My approach is hands-on, practical, and people-focused. By relating to every member of your team, across all backgrounds and perspectives, I help build workplaces where people feel seen, supported, and equipped to deliver together. When everyone feels like they belong, culture becomes your strongest asset.
Curious how this approach could help your business?
Building High-Performance Culture: The Secret to Sustainable Growth in Perth Businesses
In Perth’s fast-moving business scene, rapid growth and constant change are the new normal. While strategy and systems matter, it’s your company culture… the invisible engine behind every high-performing team, that determines whether you grow with strength.
Why Culture Is Your Competitive Advantage
Culture isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s the difference between teams that thrive and those that simply survive. When culture is clear, structured, and lived every day, you see higher retention, stronger engagement, and measurable business results.
At Vital Culture, we see this firsthand: when high-growth businesses invest in culture, they see clarity, structure, and momentum. These aren’t just buzzwords—they’re the foundation for scaling successfully for your people.
The Framework for High-Performance Teams
Drawing on proven methodologies, we help Perth businesses embed three essentials for high performance:
Clarity
Every team needs a shared understanding of mission, vision, and values. This clarity guides decision-making and empowers every team member, from the C-suite to the frontline.
Structure
Systems and processes shouldn’t stifle creativity—they should enable it. Clear KPIs, transparent reporting, and simple onboarding tools create consistency and free up energy for innovation.
Momentum
Sustained growth comes from small, consistent actions: celebrating wins, giving regular feedback, and ensuring every project ends with clear next steps. Momentum is built in the day-to-day, not just at annual strategy sessions.
Warning Signs: When Culture Needs Attention
Rising turnover or repeated “corridor conversations”
Negativity, disengagement, or lack of ownership
Siloed teams and unclear handovers
If these sound familiar, it’s time to hit reset. Honest team surveys, values workshops, and a fresh look at your onboarding process are powerful first steps.
Practical Steps for Perth Leaders
Run a culture health check: Use surveys and candid conversations to surface what’s really happening.
Reset your values: Make them actionable and visible in daily work—not just on the website.
Invest in leadership: Equip managers with frameworks and support to lead with clarity and consistency.
Build onboarding that works: Give every new hire a clear roadmap and the tools to succeed from day one.
The Results: Beyond the Buzzwords
Investing in culture pays off. Our clients report lower turnover, higher engagement, and real business growth—even in periods of rapid change. In Perth’s evolving market, culture is your edge.
Ready to lead well and build strong?
At Vital Culture, we partner with growth-focused businesses to create the clarity, structure, and momentum that drive high performance.
If you’re ready to turn the dial up, let’s talk.
Kaitlin
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What Great Looks Like: Building a Culture That Unites OGs and New Hires in Growth-Stage Businesses
In high growth businesses, “good” can get you started, but only “great” will take you where you want to go. If you’re a founder or GM, you know the difference: good is a team that gets the job done. Great is a team that’s connected, clear, and moving in sync, where the OGs feel valued and the new hires are truly onboard, not just present.
Why “Good” Isn’t Enough in Growth
When you’re scaling, “good enough” culture is what leads to silos, miscommunication, and a sense that something’s slipping through the cracks. You see it when:
The original team is loyal but frustrated by change,
New hires are eager but unsure how to fit in,
Leaders are stuck translating between “how we’ve always done it” and “where we’re headed,”
What “Great” Looks Like
At Vital Culture, we help businesses move beyond “good enough” to a culture that’s truly great, one that’s lived, felt, and seen in every interaction. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
Clarity in direction, everyone knows where the business is going, what’s expected, and how their role matters,
A connected team, OGs and new hires are united behind a shared purpose, not divided by history or tenure,
Values in action, your values aren’t just words, they shape decisions, drive behaviours, and show up in how people lead and collaborate,
Confident leadership, leaders communicate the “why,” set clear expectations, and model the culture every day,
Systems that support people, processes are clear, onboarding is intentional, and no one is left to “wing it,”
Culture that retains, people feel engaged, committed, and proud to be part of a team that’s building something special,
Moving From Good to Great
The shift from good to great isn’t about adding more perks or plastering values on the wall. It’s about:
Listening to the OGs and honouring their legacy, without getting stuck in the past,
Bringing new hires into the story so they feel ownership and belonging from day one,
Co-creating values that reflect where you’ve been, where you are, and where you’re going,
Turning those values into clear, daily practices, so everyone knows “what great looks like” here,
Ready to Build Great, Not Just Good?
If you’re tired of settling for “good enough” and want to build a business where the culture is your competitive edge, let’s talk. At Vital Culture, we partner with growth stage leaders to tighten what’s working, fix what’s not, and build a team that performs, for your people and your clients.
Let’s define what great looks like for your business, and make it real, together.
Book a discovery call or reach out at kaitlin@vitalculture.com.au.
The First 30 Days: Why Onboarding Is the Secret to Long-Term Retention
It all begins with an idea.
Let’s be real — most businesses put all their effort into getting someone in the door, and not nearly enough into what happens next.
Whether it’s a new member, client, or team hire… the first 30 days can make or break the relationship.
At Vital Culture, we call this the conversion after the conversion.
Because signing up is just the start. Retention starts with how you show up next.
Most businesses don’t have a retention problem, they have an onboarding problem.
And you’ll see it in things like:
Members ghosting after week 3
Clients disengaging before the project hits momentum
New hires unsure what’s expected or how to win
Leaders constantly needing to re-explain the “how we do things here”
It’s not that people aren’t committed — it’s that they don’t feel anchored.
They don’t feel clear.
They haven’t had the chance to connect with the brand, the people, or the process in a meaningful way.
And that’s where onboarding comes in.
So what makes onboarding actually work?
Whether it’s internal or external, great onboarding does three things:
Builds connection
People want to feel seen.
That starts with a warm welcome, consistent touchpoints, and someone who remembers why they’re here - not just that they’re here.
(We cultivate connection, right from the start.)Creates clarity
People stick around when they know what to expect, how to succeed, and what the rhythm looks like.
The moment someone feels lost or unsure, that’s where disengagement creeps in.
(We’re real — clarity over fluff, always.)Shows the value early
Retention lives in the first few wins.
A small result, a shift in mindset, a meaningful conversation - that’s what builds belief and loyalty.
(We empower and disrupt — making early momentum count.)
The Vital Culture Approach
We embed onboarding as a core part of the systems we build — whether it’s for clients, members, or team.
We map:
The first 30 days of the journey
What they need to feel (and when)
What information they need to receive (and how)
Who owns each touchpoint
What “success” looks like at each step
Because when your onboarding is intentional, your retention becomes predictable.
And that’s where performance gets consistent, culture feels stronger, and your people start doing the heavy lifting with you, not just for you.
(We lift as we rise — and onboarding sets the tone for that.)
Retention doesn’t live in a follow-up email, it lives in the moments that make people feel like they belong.
When onboarding is done well, people don’t just “join.”
They commit. They engage. They stay.
And for us? That’s one of the secret sauce moves we love building.
→ Want help building an onboarding system that sticks?
From Chaos to Clarity: What’s Actually Holding Back High-Performing Businesses
Feeling stuck in the day-to-day?
Here’s what’s actually holding most high-performing businesses back. We help leaders move from reactive to ready — with aligned strategy, scalable systems, and a culture that works.
You didn’t build your business to stay buried in the day-to-day.
Most businesses aren’t broken.
They’re just stuck in the noise.
You’ve got good people. You’re delivering value. But when you’re constantly reacting, stretched thin, or holding everything together — it’s more friction than flow.
It’s not failure. It’s the gap between where you are and where you could be.
So what’s actually holding you back?
It’s rarely just one thing. It’s the space between strategy, systems, and people.
Unclear strategy = confusion and inconsistency
Clunky systems = wasted time and energy
Misaligned team = stalled execution
Even high-performing businesses hit these blocks. The difference? Clarity.
Busy isn’t better.
You can be flat-out all week and still not be growing.
True performance comes when you trade constant motion for focused direction.
What does clarity look like?
It’s not just a strategy doc. It’s a living rhythm inside your business.
Clarity means:
Everyone knows the direction
Roles and systems support delivery
Culture drives performance — not burnout
How Vital Culture helps
We help leaders shift from in it to on it — with strategies that stick and systems that scale.
We do this through:
Strategic clarity and roadmap building
Operational and systems design
Leadership and culture alignment
All real. All tailored. No fluff.
Ready to cut through the noise and get back to what you do best?
Let’s chat.
Why I Started Vital Culture
It all begins with an idea.
By Kaitlin Beck
I didn’t start Vital Culture to play small — and I didn’t start it to be just another consulting brand.
I started it because I’ve been inside enough businesses to know that even the most passionate, high-performing teams can end up feeling overwhelmed.
Not because they’re doing anything wrong - but because things grow fast, and the foundation doesn’t always grow with it.
Suddenly, you’re deep in the day-to-day, putting out fires, trying to lead while still holding it all together.
And while things are technically working, they’re also… heavy.
Disjointed. A little reactive. Just harder than they need to be.
That’s the space I step into.
Not to fix, but to realign. To build on what you have, and make it better.
I built what I wish more people had access to.
Not a generic playbook.
Not bandaid consulting.
But a 360-degree, values-driven approach that actually meets people where they’re at.
What we do at Vital Culture is practical, honest, and embedded — not surface-level.
We help you get clear, build momentum, and lead with confidence.
That means:
Strategy that makes sense and actually sticks
Systems your team will use (because they helped build them)
Culture that’s real, not performative - and that shows up in how people work every day
Why the name Vital Culture?
Because culture isn’t a poster on the wall. It’s how your business feels, functions, and grows.
Culture is how strategy gets lived.
And when it’s strong, clear, and aligned, performance follows.
That’s why we don’t separate people from performance.
We build both, together.
This is for the ones still in the thick of it.
If you're a founder, an operator, or a hands-on leader - this is for you.
You’re not doing anything wrong. But you deserve to do it differently.
You deserve the structure that lets you lead.
The clarity that lets you grow.
The kind of business that feels as good as it performs.
If you value real over rehearsed...
If you’re here to grow - and lift others as you rise...
If you believe in leading with connection, not control…
And if you’re ready to do things differently - with bold, meaningful change...
Then you’re in the right place.
That’s why I started Vital Culture.
That’s who we’re here to build with.