12 Examples of Company Culture & How to Build One in India

Company culture is the shared values, beliefs, and behaviors that shape how employees interact, make decisions, and contribute to an organization. It influences everything from workplace collaboration to leadership styles and employee satisfaction.

A strong corporate culture is crucial because it fosters cohesion, makes organizations more attractive to top talent, and directly impacts business performance. Studies show that engaged employees who thrive in positive work environments can drive up to a 202% increase in performance. Moreover, 92% of job seekers consider corporate culture a key factor when choosing an employer.

But what defines a great company culture? It goes beyond perks and policies. It’s about:

• Clear company values that guide decision-making.

• Employee well-being through support programs and benefits.

• Inclusion and diversity ensuring all employees feel valued.

• Growth opportunities for continuous learning and development.

• Transparent communication fostering trust and collaboration.

A company’s culture demonstrates how these values come to life in everyday work. Some of India’s most successful organizations have made culture a priority, setting benchmarks for innovation, inclusivity, and employee satisfaction.

In this article, we will cover:

• 12 Indian companies with outstanding corporate culture examples and what makes them stand out.
• How these companies prioritize employee well-being, diversity, leadership, and professional growth.
• Practical insights on building an inspiring company culture in India.

12 Best Company Culture Examples in India

India is home to several organizations that have set gold standards in workplace culture. These corporate culture examples serve as models for businesses looking to improve their own workplaces.

Here are 12 Indian companies that have built exceptional workplace cultures:

1. Tata Group

Tata Group, one of India’s most esteemed conglomerates, has long been celebrated as a benchmark for corporate culture in India. The organization’s commitment to employee welfare is deeply embedded in its corporate ethos, influencing various facets of its operations.

• Historical Commitment to Employee Welfare

From its inception, Tata Group has pioneered numerous labor welfare initiatives. Notably, Tata Steel introduced progressive measures such as the eight-hour working day, free medical aid, and the establishment of a welfare department. These initiatives underscored the company’s focus on creating a supportive and equitable work environment.

• Modern Initiatives for Employee Well-being

In contemporary times, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a flagship company of the Tata Group, has launched the “TCS Cares” program. This initiative offers professional counseling, self-help resources, and wellness webinars, addressing mental health challenges such as anxiety and stress among employees.

Beyond well-being, communication plays a critical role in fostering a strong workplace culture. In partnership with Sociabble, Tata Realty, another flagship company of the Tata Group, modernized its intranet system, creating a mobile-friendly, centralized platform that streamlined information flow across the organization. With Single Sign-On access, employees could stay connected and informed no matter where they were, reinforcing a culture of inclusivity and engagement.     

2. Infosys

Infosys is among the top corproate cultures in India, prioritizing continuous learning and innovation. This is evident in initiatives like the Infosys Global Education Centre and the Infosys Innovation Fund, both designed to upskill employees and drive technological advancement.

• Infosys Global Education Centre

Located in Mysuru, the Infosys Global Education Center is a 337-acre corporate university training over 14,000 employees at a time. Since its inception, it has equipped over one million professionals with industry-relevant skills.

• Infosys Innovation Fund

Infosys launched the Infosys Innovation Fund $500 million fund to invest in AI, machine learning, and emerging technologies, fostering entrepreneurship and accelerating innovative culture.

Recognizing the importance of digital influence, Infosys also partnered with Sociabble to create The Influential You: Social Selling for Executives eBook, helping its leaders enhance their online presence, engage with employees, and strengthen brand advocacy.

3. Zerodha

Zerodha stands out among corporate cultures due to its flat hierarchy culture and trust in employee autonomy, giving employees the freedom to make decisions without excessive managerial oversight.

• Zerodha fosters a flat organizational structure/flat hierarchy culture, empowering team members to make decisions without excessive managerial oversight.

• To promote work-life balance, Zerodha offers a hybrid work model, with two days of remote work and three in-office days for collaboration.

4. Hilton

Hilton’s focus on employee support makes it a strong corporate culture example in India. It was recognized as India’s No. 1 Best Company to Work for second time in a row in 2024, highlighting its commitment to employee well-being, diversity, and inclusion.

• Employee Well-being: Hilton’s Thrive@Hilton initiative supports team members’ well-being across mind, body, and spirit, offering programs like Care for All, which provides resources for self-care and caregiving.

• Diversity and Inclusion: Hilton fosters an inclusive workforce representing various backgrounds and perspectives. Through Team Member Resource Groups (TMRGs), employees find community and support, promoting a culture of belonging.

By prioritizing well-being and inclusivity, Hilton creates a supportive environment where employees can thrive.

5. HCL Technologies

HCL is a leading company culture example, prioritizing employees over customers. The organization has embraced an ‘Employees First, Customers Second’ philosophy, revolutionizing traditional management structures to prioritize employee empowerment.

• Empowerment Through Transparency: By inverting the organizational pyramid, HCL has made management accountable to frontline employees. Initiatives promoting open communication and transparency have been implemented to build trust and empower staff.

• Recognition and Rewards: HCL offers various programs to acknowledge employee contributions, including performance awards, spot awards, and long service awards. These initiatives aim to motivate and retain talent by celebrating achievements and dedication.

6. Flipkart

Flipkart’s work environment makes it an inspiring corporate culture in the startup space. The company fosters a startup-like environment that encourages creative freedom and open communication, enabling employees to take ownership and embrace calculated risks.

• Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs): In 2019, Flipkart allocated $100 million worth of ESOPs to senior and mid-level staff as part of its annual performance assessment. Additionally, in 2023, Flipkart completed a $700 million ESOP payout to nearly 24,000 current and former employees following the PhonePe demerger.

• Wellness Programs: The company provides extensive health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, on-site clinics, and fitness facilities, supporting overall employee well-being.

• Learning and Development Initiatives: Through programs like Flipskool, Flipkart offers tailored courses and resources to enhance employee skills and career growth.

Flipkart leverages Sociabble’s employee advocacy platform to amplify its organization’s culture, promote its wellness and learning initiatives, and strengthen employee engagement through social media-driven internal communication.

7. Swiggy

Swiggy’s progressive workplace policies, prioritizing well-being, growth, and work-life balance, make it a standout company culture in the Indian tech space.

• Parental Support: Swiggy offers a gender-neutral parental leave policy, including paid leave for both caregivers, 15-day bonding leave for parents of toddlers, prenatal care reimbursement (INR 20,000), and a Child Welcome Gift (INR 10,000).

• Tenure-Based Benefits: Employees completing 3, 5, and 7 years receive celebratory rewards, including travel vouchers up to INR 40,000, trophies, and curated gifts, recognizing long-term commitment.

• Learning & Development Wallet: Team members get reimbursements for courses, books, certifications, conferences, and personal development activities like gym memberships and yoga classes.

• Moonlighting Policy: Swiggy allows employees to take up external gigs as long as they don’t conflict with their primary role, an industry-first move supporting financial and personal growth.

8. Synchrony International Services Pvt. Ltd.

Synchrony’s strong DEI initiatives and leadership programs make it a leading corporate culture in India. It has been consistently recognized as one of India’s Best Companies to Work For 2024 and among India’s Best Workplaces in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) 2024. It was also ranked among the Top 10 Best Workplaces for Women 2024 by Great Place to Work® India, underscoring its commitment to an inclusive and supportive environment

• Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: Synchrony actively cultivates an inclusive workplace through Diversity Networks+, empowering team members to connect, support each other, and foster belonging. This commitment is reflected in its 51% female workforce, 106 employees with disabilities, and over 50 veterans and family members.

• Global Diversity Experience India 2024: The company hosts this annual event to bring employees together for networking, leadership panels, and community service initiatives.

• Employee Well-being: Synchrony promotes work-life balance with flexible work options, including remote work to improve employee experience.

9. Mahindra & Mahindra

Mahindra & Mahindra exemplifies a corporate culture that aligns company’s success with social responsibility. Its ‘Rise for Good‘ philosophy emphasizes driving positive change and empowering all stakeholders, including employees, communities, and customers.

The company offers leadership development initiatives, such as the Mahindra Accelerated Leadership Track (MALT), a 12-month fast-track program designed in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University to nurture future leaders.

10. Godrej Group

Godrej demonstrates a great company culture by championing inclusivity and sustainability. It is known for fostering a diverse, inclusive, and sustainable workplace.

• Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives:

  • Comprehensive LGBTQIA+ friendly policies, including equal benefits for same-sex partners, gender-neutral adoption support, and gender transition assistance.

  • Gender-neutral facilities, such as washrooms, to create an inclusive workplace.

  • Anti-harassment policy covering all gender identities, ensuring a safe and equitable environment.

  • Community partnerships and advocacy programs to promote inclusivity beyond the workplace.

• Sustainability and Employee-Driven Innovation:

  • Sprint Program: Encourages employees to develop innovative solutions with mentorship and cross-functional collaboration.

  • Eco-Friendly Initiatives: Projects like Smart Automate, AquaCool, and Net Zero Habitat focus on sustainability-driven innovation.

  • Green Manufacturing: Commitment to reducing carbon footprint through energy-efficient processes and materials.

11. Zomato: Transparency & Trust-Based Culture

Zomato’s policies make it a modern company culture example. The company’s culture is rooted in transparency, trust, and innovation.

• Zomato offers a period leave policy for female and transgender employees, allowing them to take time off as needed to cater to their health.

• The company emphasizes mental well-being, encouraging employees to take necessary time off to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

• The company provides a supportive atmosphere where employees can learn from their experiences, even when outcomes aren’t as expected.

12. Marico

Marico’s open-door policy and innovation-driven approach position it as a notable organizational culture example. Marico fosters a culture of ownership, encouraging employees to lead initiatives and take responsibility for their work.

• Employees, called ‘members,’ are encouraged to take ownership of projects, driving an innovative culture. The ESOP program further strengthens this sense of belonging.

• A transparent, open-door culture allows free-flowing communication, while Personal Development Planning (PDP) helps employees align their careers with their aspirations.

How to Build an Inspiring and Positive Company Culture in India

Creating a thriving workplace culture requires intentional effort, clear values, and continuous engagement. Businesses that invest in employee experience, transparent communication, and collaborative work environments see higher employee retention, better performance, and stronger alignment with organizational goals.

Here are four key strategies to build an inspiring company culture:

1. Identify and Reinforce Core Company Values

Company values should reflect the business’s mission and the expectations of its employees. Organizations with well-defined ethical standards, inclusivity, and employee well-being initiatives build stronger workplace cultures.

These values are generally reflected in hiring practices, leadership decisions, and daily operations. To reinforce them, companies need to integrate it into training programs, internal communications, and performance evaluations.

An employee communication platform like Sociabble accelerates organizational culture by enabling active communication and reinforcing core values. With video training, live broadcasts, newsletters, and surveys, companies can keep employees engaged while shaping a culture that aligns with their mission.

2. Involve Employees in Shaping Organizational Culture

A culture that supports employees must be designed with their input. In India, where workplaces are diverse in roles and demographics, giving employees a voice ensures that policies are practical, inclusive, and beneficial to all.

Companies can engage employees through workplace committees, anonymous feedback channels, and employee surveys. Involving employees leads to greater satisfaction, stronger retention, and a great company culture.

3. Communicate Company Vision and Successes Transparently

Employees are more engaged when they understand their company’s vision and their role in it. Clear communication whether through internal newsletters, leadership town halls, or regular updates on business successes ensures employees stay informed and feel valued.

Recognizing both company milestones and individual achievements reinforces a positive work culture and boosts morale. Sociabble’s rewards and recognition platform makes top-down and peer-to-peer recognition effortless, enabling companies to celebrate wins – big or small – and reinforce positive behaviors that align with the organization’s values.

4. Continuously Refine Corporate Culture and Improve Based on Employee Feedback

A company culture that evolves with its employees remains relevant and engaging. Gathering insights through employee surveys, exit interviews, and open-door policies helps businesses understand what’s working and what needs improvement.

More importantly, implementing meaningful changes based on feedback – whether it’s revised policies, better benefits, or leadership adjustments – shows employees that their voices are heard.

Conclusion

A strong corporate culture is a fundamental driver of long-term success. The corporate culture examples discussed in this article demonstrate that great company cultures lead with a people-first approach leads to higher retention, innovation, and productivity. These companies are proof that clear values, employee engagement, and a commitment to continuous improvement create workplace environments where people thrive.

Building a positive company culture is not a one-time initiative. it needs to be reinforced, refined, and adapted as organizations grow. Businesses must continuously refine and improve their culture, learning from these corporate cultures. By making it a priority, companies can attract top talent, boost productivity, and create lasting success.

We’ve worked with hundreds of clients in over 180 countries, including industry leaders like L’Occitane, Renault Group, Primark, and Coca-Cola CCEP, helping them engage employees and encouraging their company culture to thrive.

To learn how Sociabble can help your company enhance its communication and strengthen its organizational culture, simply sign up for a free customized demo.