A strong corporate culture will help shape every aspect of your business . Yet most leaders fail to define one that is appropriate for their specific needs . This simple three-step process can help you identify your own unique culture while ensuring that it complements your business strategy and fits existing values and goals .
Far too many companies settle on a weak patchwork of loosely-related principles and ideas to help shape their corporate cultures . There are dozens of factors that influence culture , but defining yours doesn ’ t have to be complicated . Follow these steps to identify your culture and use it to drive strategy .
� Step 1 : Determine your focus . In this critical first step to defining culture , strive to identify the overarching focus of your values . Where does your business find the inspiration that shapes strategy ? Is it in people , actions , or outcomes ?
ÎÎPEOPLE : A person-oriented culture puts the needs of its employees , end users , or the community first . Such a culture emphasizes responsibility to others and the greater good . Examples : Team , Customer , Community , Empathy
ÎÎACTION : In the actionfocused culture , significance lies in the methods used to perform the work . How employees approach a problem or solution takes precedence over everything else . Examples : Innovation , Agility , Learning , Ownership
ÎÎOUTCOME : Cultures that follow an outcome-based focus tend to be larger , older , and more traditional in structure . Titles and hierarchy matter , with performance usually outweighing people in importance . Examples : Profit , Productivity , Growth , Image
Once a primary focus is identified , it becomes much easier to choose the specific elements that make up your unique culture — such as innovation , your team , or profits . Most cultures are actually comprised of several sub-elements , so don ’ t be afraid to combine complementary characteristics . For example , it ’ s okay to claim a culture that is both innovative and collaborative . Just be sure to stick to the most pervasive attributes that speak to your unique business . �
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