What is Corporate Culture?
Corporate Culture, often simply referred to as organisational culture, is the collective values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours that define an organisation and its employees. It encompasses the norms and practices that influence how work gets done, how employees interact, and how the organisation presents itself to the outside world. A strong corporate culture aligns with the company's goals and contributes to a positive work environment, employee satisfaction, and overall organisational success.
Why is Corporate Culture relevant to internal comms?
Corporate Culture is profoundly relevant to internal comms professionals because it directly impacts how messages are crafted, shared, and received within an organisation. The culture influences the tone of communication, the channels deemed appropriate, and the level of formality or informality expected. Understanding and aligning with the corporate culture is essential for internal comms to effectively engage employees, reinforce company values, and foster a sense of community and belonging.
Examples of Corporate Culture in internal comms
An example of corporate culture influencing internal comms could be a company that values transparency and open dialogue, thus encouraging the use of open forums, Q&A sessions with leadership, and regular, candid updates about company performance. Conversely, a more hierarchical organisation might rely on formal communication channels and carefully crafted messages from the top down.
Best practices for Corporate Culture
Clearly define and communicate the organisation's core values and expectations to all employees.
Ensure leadership models the desired cultural attributes and communication styles.
Regularly assess and adapt the culture to reflect changes in the organisational goals, workforce, and external environment.
Common challenges for Corporate Culture
Aligning diverse employee backgrounds and perspectives with a cohesive culture
Adapting to cultural shifts without losing the organisation's core identity
Maintaining a strong culture during rapid growth or organisational changes
What does Corporate Culture mean for frontline teams?
For frontline teams, a clear and positive corporate culture provides a framework for decision-making, customer interaction, and teamwork. It ensures that even the most customer-facing employees understand and embody the values and practices that define the organisation, leading to consistent service quality and employee engagement.
Corporate Culture FAQs
How can you measure the strength of Corporate Culture?
Through employee engagement surveys, feedback mechanisms, and observing how well employees' daily behaviours align with the stated values and norms.
Can Corporate Culture change, and if so, how?
Yes, culture can and often does evolve in response to internal changes or external pressures. Deliberate efforts, led by leadership and supported by internal comms, are required to guide and communicate cultural shifts.
What role do internal comms play in shaping Corporate Culture?
Internal comms are pivotal in reinforcing culture by consistently reflecting the organisation's values in all communications and providing platforms for cultural expression and dialogue.
