Corporate Culture
What do you think of when you
hear the word ‘Culture’?
What are we
looking at? I’m
sleepy
Defn- Culture (from the Latin cultura
stemming from colere, meaning "to
cultivate,")generally refers to patterns of
human activity and the symbolic structures
that give such activities significance and
importance
Corporate Culture
Definition- The shared values and beliefs that dictate the behaviors of all employees
within an organisation.
Define these 3 words:
• Corporate Culture
• Official Corporate Culture
• Real Corporate Culture
Indications of ‘corporate culture’
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The organisation’s mission statement
The most evident management style
The morale of employees
Type of dress expected
Divisions or departments
Physical environment provided by management for
employees
2. The most evident management styleShould we sack
NO! You are going to do
what I tell you!
this boring lazy
chick in the grey
suit?
• Autocratic?
Decision making strictly
hierarchical, where subordinates
are told what to do.
• Consultative?
Management discuss or liaise
with staff before making
decisions
• Laissez-faire?
‘leave well alone’
or ‘do your own thing’
Whatever you
say.
Do your own
thing!
Management leaves lower level
management and subordinates to
define their own tasks, roles
and responsibilities.
Yes… All she does,
everyday, is look at
that blank, white piece
of paper. No
productivity
whatsoever……
Activity 2.2-
pg 48
Explain the influence Brett Godfrey’s dress code and attitude
have on corporate culture.
Godfrey is the chief executive officer at Virgin Blue. Wearing a casual,
open-necked red polo shirt represents his laid back approach to management and
leads other employees to also feel comfortable in adopting this style.
His language is very informal and colloquial ie. “Shitload” “pain in the arse” and
“stoked” are words generally used in a social setting amongst ‘Aussie’ friends. It
Encompasses the ‘laidback’ stereotype aspect of Australian culture. Employees
are likely to follow suit and use similar colloquialisms.
2. What impact would Virgin Blue’s decision to do away with ‘stuffy pigeon
holing monikers’ such as baggage handlers have had on the culture at Virgin
Blue? Explain your answer.
Changing general job description titles such as ‘baggage handlers’ to ‘pit
crew’ gives the employees a sense of belonging and dignity. It also
displays the senior managements’ acknowledgement of their importance within
the organisation. It helps break down the barriers between management and staff.
Do you think calling the head of HR the ‘head of touchy feely stuff’ is giving
the position the respect it deserves? Why, or why not?
Yes, it refers to the HR role with simple emotive terminology. It also makes a
joke out of the role that deals with people problems and strips away the
perceived hierarchical power the title may have. Can be good for
breaking communication barriers
No, strips away the perceived hierarchical power the title may have and thus
the head of HR may not be taken seriously by staff when
communicating or putting in place HR procedures.
How does the corporate culture created at Virgin Blue encourage
a team environment?
Every job title is always part of a team or crew so that, everyone belongs to a
group within the organisation. The relaxed culture makes its even easier for
employees to create friendships and build greater bonds.
How could the culture of Virgin Blue have enhanced the organisation’s
success?
When employees develop better personal relationships within the
organisation, they are likely to be more accountable and therefore
more productive. Also this culture should lead to a decrease in staff
absenteeism and staff turnover as employees are happier in the
workplace. This assists in the collective effort of the organisation to
provide its products and services at its best.
Activity 2.3- Corporate culture of Mentone Girl’s
Secondary
1.
The official school culture
‘The way things are supposed to be running” according to written
statements and or the organisation’s slogan.
The difference between ‘official school culture’ and ‘real school
culture’.
Different interpretation of each person.
It depends on how each person perceives those values and beliefs
of this school. Also, not everyone would take on those values
and beliefs as their own because of personal reasons.
Problems arising from different interpretation.
A clash or disagreement in objectives.
Slow down of productivity is employees are not working together
cohesively