Chapter 3: Communicating the Corporate Culture

Synopsis
Every organization, just like every society, has a culture that defines its essence. Corporate culture consists of the fundamental value and belief structure of the organization collectively shared by the employees that is symbolically expressed in a variety of overt and subtle ways. The type of people in the organization as well as the corporate symbols, slogans, and philosophies are all clues to corporate values.

Corporate culture influences the organization in a number of ways. It impacts how people analyze and solve problems along with how the company responds to change. Research also reveals the positive financial impact of a company with a strong culture.

How do managers communicate the values? They craft actionable cultural statements, link values with specific behaviors, develop symbolic reminders of the core values, and invest financial resources in projects that support the corporate values.

Outline

1. What is Culture?
   
   
2. Why Is There An Organizational Culture?
1. Employees need focus
2. Culture provides an efficient mechanism to coordinate the activities of employees
3. Managerial power is limited
   
   
3. What Are the Consequences of Culture?
1. Culture impacts the bottom line
2. Culture influences how an organization analyzes and solves problems
3. Culture influences how the company will respond to change
4. Culture impacts employee motivation
   
   
4. How Can the Culture Be Discovered?
1. Reflect on the type of people in the organization
2. Pay attention to corporate symbols
3. Examine the corporate slogans, philosophies and value statements
4. Contemplate the more subtle indicators of culture

 

5. How Can the Culture Be Evaluated?
1. Is the organization trying to close the gap between the stated culture and actual culture?
2. Is the actual culture suited for the organizational challenges?
3. Does the actual culture fit the employeeÕs belief and values?

 

6. How Can the Culture Be Communicated?
1. Craft actionable cultural statements
2. Appropriately socialize employees
3. Develop symbolic reminders of the core values
4. Link values with specific behaviors
5. Filter information through the values
6. Use financial resources as powerful reminders
7. Manage conflict through the values, not the hierarchy
8. Routinely evaluate progress on the core values
9. Assist in the evolution of the meaning of the values

 

7. Concluding Remarks

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