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Culture Rules

Culture is destiny. It is who you are and who you want to be. The smartest organizations use their corporate culture as a secret weapon. Culture rules. It’s often the biggest  difference maker. And that’s why we always talk about it when we discuss assessments, strategic planning and executive coaching. So, whether you are in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kentucky or Jacksonville, Florida, it’s worth looking at how you approach your corporate culture.

Defining corporate culture

In its simplest form, corporate culture is made up of the behaviors and beliefs that guide your employees. This can include words and phrases like hard-working, curious, thrifty, nimble or dedicated to exceeding customer expectations.

The goal is to create a paragraph that, in a few words, explains what it means to be part of your organization.

Does your organization visit clients on a regular, scheduled basis? Then emphasize discipline and structure.

Does your organization need to remain flexible to respond to rapidly changing demand? Then you should value people with the ability to change directions on a dime.

How culture is used

Great organizations are proud of their culture. They use it to bind the team together. And, even more significantly, they use it to attract future employees.

Everyone likes working on a winning, growing team. But many employees are looking for a deeper connection. They want to be part of an organization whose culture is aligned with their values.

And the only way for that to happen is to let everyone know. Tell candidates up front about your unique culture. You are proud of it. It works. Broadcast it. It’s fine if a candidate isn’t into it. And better to know up front.

Using assessments to measure culture fit

The right assessment can help an organization define and identify culture fit. We use one that has two components: behaviors and motivators. The behavior component (DISC) shows how people do what they do. Even more significant is the motivator component that shows why people do what they do.

It’s a two step process. First, translate your culture into behaviors and motivators. Step two is to have candidates take a twenty-minute assessment and see how they compare.

Barr Corporate Success

For nearly twenty years, Krissi Barr of Barr Corporate Success has been helping organizations develop, define and deliver their culture. That’s because culture rules. That’s why the topic will work its way into the conversation whether she’s working with a Cincinnati business on executive coaching, leading a strategic planning session for an organization in Kentucky or providing assessments to a company in Jacksonville. Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about how Krissi can help you and your business.