A positive company culture has values that every employee knows by heart. These values and this mission are accessible and branded into all of the company’s internal and external communications.
Not just colleagues, but friends: A great work environment is a breeding ground for genuine friendships. When coworkers choose to spend time with each other, even outside of the office, you know that the professional dynamic is going to be just as positive.
What defines a great company culture?
171–176 of 176 posts
Re: What defines a great company culture?
#172Earlier quoted context omitted.
Same with Good to Great (I think that was also written by the same guy). Some of those companies applauded are still doing well and others are embroiled in scandals of various sorts.
If I remember correctly, 'The Halo effect' by Rosenzweig has a pretty critical retrospective on these two books.
I had to read it for a leadership class. It had some great stories, but people overlook that the CEOs interviewed all said "luck" was a huge factor. So the rest of the book seemed like it was partly BS.
For example, Walgreens sold off their lucrative restaurant business and put all new stores in extremely high traffic areas and became the seller of not only prescriptions, but random things people need, but don't want to go to Walmart for. It paid off nicely, but it was extremely controversial at the time. They also didn't freak out when internet dotcom companies (set to take over the industry) popped up as they knew those competitors were missing the entire supply chain. Instead they took their time and automated things better to make customers happy in a different way like automated phone ordering. Was all of that genius, or luck. Maybe a bit of both. The same story with Barnes & Nobel and Amazon doesn't turn out so well.
Re: What defines a great company culture?
#173Earlier quoted context omitted.
If I remember correctly, 'The Halo effect' by Rosenzweig has a pretty critical retrospective on these two books.
I had to read it for a leadership class. It had some great stories, but people overlook that the CEOs interviewed all said "luck" was a huge factor. So the rest of the book seemed like it was partly BS. For example, Walgreens sold off their lucrative restaurant business and put all new stores in extremely high traffic areas and became the seller of not only prescriptions, but random things people need, but don't want…
I am really fascinated by the failure of Borders and the continued decline of Barnes & Noble. I'm not an expert but it feels like they really overextended themselves, diluted their focus and like you said, failed to leverage their position the way Walgreens did. But maybe the reason I feel that way is just that I spent a lot of time at the neigbhorhood B&N/Borders reading their books without buying anything other than the Starbucks coffee at the on-premise coffee shop. Can't say they managed to get much money out of me, but I think they provided an enormous service to the community.
Re: What defines a great company culture?
#174Earlier quoted context omitted.
I had to read it for a leadership class. It had some great stories, but people overlook that the CEOs interviewed all said "luck" was a huge factor. So the rest of the book seemed like it was partly BS. For example, Walgreens sold off their lucrative restaurant business and put all new stores in extremely high traffic areas and became the seller of not only prescriptions, but random things people need, but don't want…
I am really fascinated by the failure of Borders and the continued decline of Barnes & Noble. I'm not an expert but it feels like they really overextended themselves, diluted their focus and like you said, failed to leverage their position the way Walgreens did. But maybe the reason I feel that way is just that I spent a lot of time at the neigbhorhood B&N/Borders reading their books without buying anything other tha…
One of the things I hate most about Covid. I used to go to B&N almost every weekend to browse and buy. I probably spent at least a thousand dollars there over the past decade and nearly $0 in 2020-21. Yes, it's a great service. I love libraries too, but B&N is better about newer books. Also a great Saturday morning out if you have a toddler. Amazon has the niche' books I like such a weird programming books, but the experience is missing. I also like just rummaging around until I find something unexpected that I like.
Re: What defines a great company culture?
#175How about none at all? I'm not joining a cult. I go to work to get paid and that's it. I don't need some weird culture shoved down my throat and I certainly don't need to be thinking about work 24/7.
That in itself is a perfectly valid culture - e.g. happy and relaxed employees who actually want to come into work in the morning are probably more useful than even extremely clever people bored out of their minds being berated by egotistical managers.
Ok technically yes but I can almost guarantee any company discussing culture is not one that tends toward the more relaxed/happy end of the spectrum.
Re: What defines a great company culture?
#176How about none at all? I'm not joining a cult. I go to work to get paid and that's it. I don't need some weird culture shoved down my throat and I certainly don't need to be thinking about work 24/7.
> How about none at all? This is like saying I don't want to have any behavior. Every company has a culture. The difference is whether you are aware of it and working on it or not.
Alright well take a look a job postings and I bet more often than not the word culture will be beside the word rockstar. Typically that means they want you to live/breath their "culture" 24/7. I rarely see the term when the job actually has a decent work/life balance.