BUSINESS CULTURE:
“The way we do things here”
Most business owners would like an organisational culture with a high level of accountability, creativity, innovation and disciplined execution. An ownership mentality with the team is what business owners aspire too, that is the team help to grow the business.
Employees are typically looking for an organisation that is enjoyable to work for, they feel they are doing meaningful work and they are empowered to do their jobs well and they have a sense of belonging.
The goal for the business leader is to merge the two needs into one organisational culture.
Why is this so essential?
The number one driver of highly satisfied,loyal and engaged customers is the employees, who are the front line to customer satisfaction.
By building an effective organisational culture this is also a major point of difference to your competitor, this major point of difference can have a significant impact on profitability.
Highly Effective Culture = CASH.
Purpose: Why do we exist?
For example a jewellery store exists to create the wow factor when a bride opens the box and sees the engagement ring for the first time.
The stone mason who is cutting the stone and understands the compelling purpose of that stone to build a beautiful cathedral, on the flip side a stone mason that does not even know why he is cutting the stone just going through the motions.
Vision: What is the overarching objective of the business? (Number 1 Objective)
The jewellery store: Our Vision is to impress ourselves, if we are not impressed why would our customers be?
JFK had a Vision of being first to the moon.
Mission: What are the 5 or 6 critical success factors to achieve the Vision? You can have a Vision
however the mission is the road map to get you there, in JFK’s case it is fine to have a Vision but the Mission is what will get you there to achieve your Vision. EXAMPLE BELOW:
1) We must have an aligned team.
2) We must attract and retain the best people.
3) We must have outstanding product knowledge
4) We must have a customer first approach
5) We must grow profitably
6) We must maintain freshness of our products at all times and follow all systems and procedures.
Values: What are the behaviours we expect in our business?
EXAMPLES:
Trust
Respect
Support
Accountability
Discipline
Reliable
Structure
Consequences
Open communication
Guidelines
The culture statement needs to be laid out and then lived and breathed by all. The behaviours that do not support the Culture need to be eliminated. We do not do that here!
The performance based culture is open and honest and clearly measures behaviour and performance of all part of the business.
There is an expectation that all those that turn up to work do so with passion, energy, teamwork and fun. All are accountable for their actions and are clear that they have a role to play to help build a healthy profitable and
sustainable business.