Culture- Measurement and Management

The Lazy CEO Podcast

In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast, hosted by Jim Schleckser, the discussion revolves around the crucial yet often overlooked topic of corporate culture. Jim emphasizes the significance of company culture and its impact on various aspects of business, including mergers and acquisitions.

Jim begins by defining culture as "how we do what we do" and explains that it encompasses how organizations think about their work. He highlights that culture plays a vital role in attracting talent, making partnerships, and determining the success or failure of mergers.

He identifies several measurable factors that define a company's culture:

1. Formality: The level of formality within the organization, encompassing dress code, hierarchy, vocabulary, and communication styles.

2. Analytics: The extent to which data is used for decision-making, ranging from intuitive decision-making to data-driven approaches.

3. Transparency: How open the organization is with sharing data, including financial information, with its employees.

4. Team vs. Individual: Whether the company emphasizes teamwork or individual performance in its culture.

5. Performance Tracking: The rigor with which the organization tracks and measures individual and team performance.

6. Innovation and Curiosity: The organization's attitude toward seeking new solutions and continuous improvement.

7. Frugality: The company's approach to spending and resource allocation, from being cost-conscious to more liberal in spending.

8. Humor: The role of humor in the workplace, ranging from serious and formal to lighthearted and fun.

9. Conformity: The degree to which employees are expected to conform to established norms and practices.

Jim concludes by emphasizing the importance of cultural alignment in mergers and acquisitions and how mismatches in these cultural factors can lead to the failure of such endeavors. Understanding and measuring these cultural aspects is vital for business leaders to make informed decisions about partnerships, acquisitions, and organizational development.