Week 5 Discussion: Culture
Describe how the culture impacts operations management either positively or negatively and support with an example from either experience and/or research.
4 types of organizational culture (May 14, 2013). Arts Fwd. Erickson, T. J. & Gratton, L. (2007, March).
What it means to work here. Harvard Business Review. Smartbiz. (2020).
10 types of company culture explained.
Take some time to think about your personal experience with a business’ organizational culture OR you could research a company’s culture. Describe how the culture impacts operations management either positively or negatively and support with an example from either experience and/or research. After, read and reply to two other posts giving your opinion on how their operation could improve organizational culture or how you could see incorporating some of the concepts into your work environment. (discussion board 200-300 words and 2 replies 100 words per reply)
Here are two discussions which need to reply!
discussion 1
In my current work with fundraising and alumni management, there are certainly a few cultures at work. The two that stand out most would be market and hierarchy. I couldn’t say if this tends to be the way of the fundraising/alumni development world, but it is certainly the way things are with my current office.
First, I would describe part of my office culture as market, we are absolutely goal oriented and achieving your numbers is what is most praised. We are currently working on closing an sizeable gap to reach our overall goal of over $4,000,000 by the fiscal year end on June 30th. However, we are on track to meet or exceed lastyears numbers, which for me is exciting, but for the more senior members of the team, is not what they set out to do. So there is crtainly a bit of competitiveness within the office as well as a sense of accomplishment when goals are met or exceeded.
Then comes the hierarchy piece of our cultural makeup. My office is used to doing things a certain way, and it has worked for many years, so there is a great deal of checks and balances to ensure that things continue the way they always have. For example, emails, mailers, any sort of communication to donors or alumni has to be triple checked by those at the top. Everything has to have a certain tone, the correct words must be used, right down to the font. In this was there is a great focus on doing things right and ensuring all runs smoothly.
For the most part, I would say that these cultures have been efficient and helped productivity and the accomplishing of goals. However, I think there is also a bit of slow down at work that retracts some of the efficieny and success that could be had. A great example would be the triple checking of emails, while it is great to have many eyes on a project, having to go through this many reviews slows the process down greatly. I would think that productivity would be improved if only the large mailing pieces were reviewed with this level of scrutiny, and would keep things moving.
The focus on goals is great, and I think when it comes to hitting financial goals, my office does a great job. However, I think there is too much focus on hitting these numbers and so some of our communications/solicitations can come off a bit panicked and desparate. If there was just a slight shift in our goals setting and how we approach reaching them, I think we would see a more relaxed, productive, and efficient office culture.
discussion 2
A positive organizational culture is directly linked to the success of the company. This is the reason, that on paper the best places to work are typically the most successful, like Google for example. Because they maintain a friendly positive organizational culture where its employees are treated well. It can be in terms of salary structure, holistic development, health benefits, and a sense of security for the employee. There are many factors like financial compensation which many people put as one of the most important factors when deciding which job to take. Some others reasons are that a job place may also provide non-financial support from higher management, transparency, and equality in decision making, a friendly environment, and also a workplace culture that make an environment a fun place to work in.
A few key elements can be included to make a positive organizational culture.
Above-average pay – For example, Google’s salary and perks are typically more than its competitors like Amazon and FB.
Sense of security – keeping the best and most inclined employees is in Google’s best interest when employees are not worrying about their job security and ability to provide for themselves they are free to be their best selves.
Meaning of work – Whether a software development or creation of medicine the employees must be recognized for their work and how their efforts are impacting the organizations and customers.
Coworkers – One of (for me) the biggest aspects of workplace culture is how all the employees (cogs in the machine) gel together. Does everyone get along? At the bare minimum does everyone respect each other?
For me at the W, my hotel coworkers are my family. We usually go out with eachother after work at least 2 or 3 times a week. I have worked at properties where this isnt the case. Everyday is a drag and not all the pieces are congruent which can make long days last forever. So to be at one where everyone is so close knit is amazing. Yes, you deal with stressors like any job, and working with the public can be difficult at times, upper management can sometimes burden the proerpty with somewhat unrealsitic goals, but at the end of the day it is incredibly rewarding and worth all the trouble you may face.
Answer preview describe how the culture impacts operations management either positively or negatively and support with an example from either experience and/or research.
651 words