Archive for January, 2009
The Influences of Organizational Cultures
Organizations are like societies, they each have their own culture that has developed over time due to the actions of their personnel (leaders and employees/volunteers). When working to bring about change within an organization, one of the biggest mistakes leaders make is they discount the impact that the existing culture has on their efforts. I believe “culture clash” is the number one reason for change failure. Knowing how to build a culture that does not impede your organization’s plan for change, requires a focus on seven areas. These seven areas are Hiring, Training, Goal Setting and Tracking, Communication, Responsibility, Accountability, and Advancement Opportunities. These areas must be addressed and taken seriously to create an organization and positive culture that is ready to support the organizations change plans.
Recessions: Back to the basics
As organizations work their way through the current and future recessions (yes there will be more), it is a time to think about getting back to the basics of what makes the organization work most effectively. The basics start with six areas that the ownership/leadership should focus on; Goal Setting, Delegation of Responsibilities, Knowing the Details, Prioritize the Issues, Time Management, and Leadership. Review your culture and don’t blindly go forward in directions that were mapped out by the past, they may be leading you toward a destination that is not in your business plan.