Operationalizing Culture

Often companies are challenged to change or improve their culture. While everyone knows that culture eats strategy for breakfast, only a few have a clear plan for building a winning culture.

This framework has proven very helpful in operationalizing such a plan. It typically breaks down into three areas of action. Firstly, an exercise with the leadership team to define purpose, vision, and core values. Zappos does this famously well and openly publishes about it. Secondly, the more comprehensive task to determine the ceremonies and rituals that foster vision and values in daily work. This also encompasses the refinement of major existing meetings like all-hands or regular department gatherings to ensure they promote the targeted behavior. Finally, some form of continuous measurement to create a closed feedback loop. There are various great tools out there offering a combination of regular pulse surveys, anonymous feedback, and the support of one-on-ones of people managers.

As always, let me know if you would like to discuss how this applies to your situation.

From Purpose to Behavior