Question

Discuss how a manager might assess strategy-culture compatability and what steps might be taken to manage cultural change in an organization through Communication.

Answer 1

Strategy-Cultural Relationship:- In order to maintain a balance of the cultural & strategy, it is real important to assess the strategy-cultural relationship, while implementing strategies, ideas in any part pf business. It would not be fair to say as to what follows what, but a good mix between Strategy & Culture could be the best solution to a company’s success while leading new businesses & new strategies. If these face conflicts, then rate of failures get high. Culture is basically speaks about the ethical &core values of an organization, it is their identity & speaks about who they are what they believe in. Corporate culture involves people, their emotional values & ethical values. Whereas Strategies is the business aspect, wherein action plan is logically designed as to how the profits & victories can be achieved during a long period of time. Both of these have to go hand-in-hand in order to achieve targets keeping the values of the organization intact. Action plan created that conflicts with any of the cultural value, are much likely to experience resistance.

Assessing the Strategy-cultural compatibility:-

1. Employee Surveys:- Quarterly surveys can be conducted within an organization, this helps to understand the thoughts of a person.
2. Analyzing gaps:- Keeping an eye where the people behavior is leading to gaps in process completion & then providing a timely polite feedback.
3. Communication:- Manger needs to a have bi-monthly one-on-one’s with the members of the team, in order to understand the challenges in personal, professional life of a member.

Steps to take in order to manage cultural change in organization through communication:-

1. Define clear agenda (Mission & vision) :- A good manager, right from the beginning will set clear agenda as to what is expected out of the team & what is required in order to achieve those. Mission & vision should not get hampered, in the journey.
2. Behavior Definition:- Manager should define the behavior which is acceptable in professional manner. Each member is expected to behave ethically, keeping intact the core values otherwise it could lead to actionable step against their behavior.
3. Clear Expectations:- Each member should have assigned & agreed key responsible areas to work upon, basis which there has to be clear communication about the performance evaluation, compensation, benefits & rewards.
4. Transparency:- Manger should keep transparency in all the discussions unless it is related to personal details. This helps in building integrity in team & also builds the strong bonding.
5. Horizontal Communication:- Manager should create tasks that involve different people of team at different points, to interact & have conversations. This will surely increase the bondage & help building the team stronger.
6. Cultural changes take time:- Don’t expect that team will fall in the changes as you have thought; it take time to changes people what they have been following since past.
7. Take Accountability:- A manager should prepare team so that it can perform best, but whenever needed, he can always be looked upon. Basically a manager should always take the accountability of the entire team.
8. Team Activities: Team activities/outings should be conducted so that there is a blend of thoughts & ideas that can be shared on personal basis.