Company culture

Question 1

What is company culture?

Answer 1

it sets the way a company thinks and interacts
implicit assumptions
share beliefs
values
norms & behaviours

Question 2

Company values

Answer 2

when senior manager don’t live up to your values, cynism will spread
values have to be reflected in daily behaviour otherwise they can turn into clichés

Question 3

Characteristics of a dysfunctional culture

Answer 3

lack of flexibility
bad or mediocre managers
lack of transparency
obsolescence (can’t evolve or innovate)
bad quality or customer service
lack of collaboration & communication (people & department)
people/department units following personal agenda
very political, criticism and backstabbing
fear and lack of trust
selfishness

Question 4

3 insights

Answer 4

1. organisational cultures are linked to performance
2. you need to work every day on your culture
3. company cultures can make you better (or worse) professionally and personally

Question 5

What are the 2 implicit assumption

Answer 5

1. beliefs
2. behavior

Question 6

X-Type theory (control)

Answer 6

Manual worker
you cannot expect high levels of engagement and job ethic
most people must be coerced, controlled with punishment
avoid responsibility, prefers to be directed, lacks ambition
most people have little capacity for creativity

Question 7

What do X-Type theory see labor as?

Answer 7

cost driver

Question 8

Y-Type theory (empowerment)

Answer 8

knowledge worker
people will exercise self-direction and self-control
self-control is often indispensable
the average worker can learn to accept & seek responsibility
people can be self-directed and creative at work

Question 9

What do Y-Type theory see labor as?

Answer 9

profit driver

Question 10

Characteristics of a high performing organization

Answer 10

higher levels of service
higher levels of employee motivation and engagement
higher levels of transparency & trust
better selection of employees & talent development
higher levels of productivity per employee & accountability
higher levels of innovation, quality and operational excellence
higher profits

Question 11

The 5 working areas

Answer 11

1. articulate your values & link them to behaviours
2. selection
3. acculturation
4. assessment
5. meta-communicate your values (story-telling)

Question 12

Articulate your values & link them to behaviours

Answer 12

CRUD
C - credible
R - relevant
U - unique
D - durable

Question 13

Selection

Answer 13

selecting the right employee is a strategic issue
50% technical skills
50% values & attitudes

Question 14

Acculturation

Answer 14

an opportunity to start ‘holding’ employee’s behaviour & set expectations

Question 15

Assessment

Answer 15

360 degree assessment
50% culture
50% competence, results

Question 16

Meta-communicate your values (story-telling)

Answer 16

storytelling to reinforce company values