Episode 033 BUSINESS – Using Story to Discover and Define Company Culture

Episode 033 – A Business Episode – Using Story to Discover and Define Company Culture Scenario #1 John sat at his desk, shuffling papers back and forth.  He’d recently taken over the marketing of his mortgage company and he was trying to figure out what he was doing wrong. He posted on FB, Instagram, Twitter, all the spaces they felt they could reach their customers, but they weren’t getting much response. How could he improve interaction with his potential clients? Scenario #2 Jillian had just been promoted to head of a sales team. She knew that each team was like a family here at ABC and she was now the new leader. How was she going to set up her team dynamic? How was she going to create camaraderie, action, and a highly motivated team? Scenario #3 The Bright and Shiny window company had been around for twenty years. They were well established and had their way of doing things. Now suddenly, when they needed to hire new people they were being asked about company culture. What in the hell is company culture? And why should we care? I. What is company culture? Company culture forms, if not purposefully, then organically, by the values (do you value innovation?), management styles (perform or die; Open door support, family style), attitudes and energies of the employees and the perks and benefits that create loyalty, fun, and buy-in with your employees. This culture defines the often unwritten but very real rules of behavior. How do your employees act when you are not around? What do they expect from the company? Do your employees and your clients feel connected and loyal? Do your programs create space for innovation or are your people highly regulated? Do you provide extra programs like a gym membership or monthly family get together to build relationships of loyalty with your employees or clients? Does your company become a part of the employees or clients story and make that connection? What does the company expect, value and reward from its employees? What will the company provide, incentivize and tolerate?  The answers to these questions can easily outline the company culture. There is an interesting article in Entrepreneur magazine, from last year, 10 examples of companies with fantastic culture. I want to share this with you because it provides real life examples of what defined and successful company cultures look like. Then, I’d love for you to share with the group what you feel your company culture is…good or bad, undefined, or well defined. https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/249174   II.WHY CREATE IT ON PURPOSE? Company culture has always been around, it’s unavoidable, but it’s only been in recent history that successful companies have started to create it on purpose. Why? For a number of reasons The new millennial workforce (70%) is as concerned with company culture as they are with pay and benefits. Working with a company that has similar values and in which they feel they are a valuable part of the family in which they become a part of the company story builds loyalty and longevity in a group that frankly isn’t known for either. Does it make their story look good? It’s the future. The speed at which business ideas and platform are changing is difficult to keep up with. Air BNB, Uber, Periscope, Google, Zappos, Twitter…these companies that are thriving are paying very close attention to company culture. It’s an important new aspect of doing business. And certainly, one that is working. Why leave something so important to chance? It’s going to be there, you might as well create it with purpose because it affects your reputation, your customer and employee loyalty, your retention of employees, your bottom line.   III.  How does story align as a tool for...