For business owners, decision makers, and stakeholders in any company there has never been a more important time to focus on culture. Recognized as a key to retaining top talent, solidifying your brand, and presenting a positive image to the market, culture has the power to make or break your company.
Linking your culture to your brand may seem a little risky, but it is important. Without a strategy to create and build on culture in connection to your goals you may find that your efforts go nowhere.
There are different types of organizational culture. Most of them can help your business thrive, with a few exceptions.
Wondering which culture fits your business best? Here are the 3 top types, and one to avoid:
1. Make It A Mission
For some organizations, the health of the business comes second to an overall cause. Of course, this can be intimidating to some business leaders who see their bottom line at risk.
But giving your organization a larger mission or cause can work to motivate the entire company. Experts say that after approximately $75,000 employees value culture over money.
What better way to make employees feel valued than to give them an important mission to accomplish every day?
2. Baseball Team Culture
One of the most employee-centric types of organizational culture is a baseball team or team approach. In these organizations, the customer comes second to the overall health of the team.
In addition, roles are clearly defined as with baseball. But in a baseball team keeping the players happy is paramount– so long as they perform.
Rather than work around the needs of the client, these organizations work to keep their employees happy. They know that happy employees mean innovation and happy clients in the long run.
3. The Customer Always Wins
Rather than an employee focus, or a mission focus, there are organizations whose sole preoccupation is with the customer. The customer is always right in these organizations.
And while these types of organizational culture models are effective for creating client loyalty, they aren’t always the best fit for everyone. For cutting edge companies that are trying to stay ahead of the trends this culture may not work.
The simple reason is that many innovators believe that customers don’t know what they want yet. Their job is to make it happen.
But in today’s social media and live video culture, many companies could benefit from a more customer-focused philosophy. In the digital age, customers who win reward businesses again and again.
Avoid These Types Of Organizational Culture
The cover your ass or the finger pointing culture can be one of the worst things to happen to your company. When employees are only motivated by avoiding the negative they are discouraged from implementing process improvement.
In addition, it’s nearly impossible to foster an entrepreneurial spirit in this atmosphere. This is the company where no one wants to stick their neck out– in case it gets chopped off!
Unfortunately, each of these cultures needs to be managed and fostered. They are not a stagnant thing.
I can help you create and maintain a culture that works for you! Contact me today for more information on my services and how they can spell success for your business.
