What is Your Corporate Culture? is it Working?

There once was a significant regional bank, since absorbed, that always projected a snooty, unhelpful, "holier-than-thou" attitude. Most of my experiences with this bank, at any level, were filled with their ego and arrogance. It was always distasteful, and I was told by many employees how little they liked their company as they were treated with little respect.

This is an example of corporate culture: low mutual trust or respect, intense control by management, careful, precise, micro-monitoring of employees, low pay, no goodwill from customers, no appreciation from employers, meaningless incentives and meager raises. This generates a similar attitude at all levels---distrust and lack of respect. It starts at the top and permeates downward.

I have done business for years with another bank, a national one called Citizens Bank. Since I travel a lot, I manage to visit branches all over. I have always been treated exceptionally well, as if each branch I go into is my local branch where I am well-known and friendly with all the employees. Again, a distinct example of corporate culture, but in this case, a nurturing attitude from the top permeates downward throughout the business.

Review your corporate or small business culture and evaluate whether or not it is working for you and your business. Upon inspection you may find you need to make changes. Maybe your corporate culture it is not projecting what you want it to project. Maybe it starts with you.

Remember, it starts from the top and filters down. Change your approach and attitude and change the entire culture of the business.