Time After Time
– Cyndi Lauper, 1984
So, what type of culture does your business possess? And why is it so important to find that perfect mix for employees, customers, and beyond? And finally, if it’s not working, how can you change the culture of your company into something better?
Why Company Culture Is Important
Forbes contributor George Bradt offers his insights into the corporate culture conundrum. In essence, your competitors – over time – can pretty much duplicate your most successful business model, down your work staff, process, and practices. What they cannot copy is your culture.
According to Bradt, culture comes from five distinct components: behaviors, attitudes, relationships, values, and the environment. The best companies weave a complex web with these “culture components” to create a sustainable – and completely original – brand. For those thinking about new ways to create a more positive culture, here are a few BRAVE ideas for beneficial implementation of a new order.
How Can You Change the Culture?
Changing an ingrained culture within the company can take a Herculean effort on everyone’s part. In the end, it will be about each individual coming to understand that a culture change is inevitable (and necessary): the change will assist in creating more success, improved relations, and a better overall business in the long run.
How does a corporation accomplish this tall task, you ask? Opening up effective lines of communication, allowing for an honest discourse, preaching accountability for all employees (top-down), and rewarding honesty, initiative, and a respectful nature are great places to start. A redesign of the awards or recognition handed out may need to be instituted, also; by rewarding employees for the specific behaviors you desire to see more of, you will be moving toward creating a changed culture.
Top Resources
Of course, it can be a slow process to change something on such a large scale. Commitment, planning, and proper execution will take time, but if done correctly can alter your business culture into something beyond your wildest imagination. So, a few extra resources and articles on the subject matter can’t hurt to help you on your way towards change.
Torben Rick writes on changing company culture and offers some interesting and salient points for both workers and owners alike. Forbes.com provides a solid article on the corporate culture debate. Regarding workers, blog.ecu.edu provides an interesting look at how different cultures affect employees. And, to end, the NY Times offers a look at how employees should fit within your company culture.
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