Understanding Corporate Culture

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Check-In with Coaches

Now that you have spent some time in your internship, you can speak more confidently on how your organization functions.

What are some of the cultural traditions of your company?

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Google Interns’ First Week

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Questions to Think of

What is it really like to work here?

What are the realities of working “our way”?

What behaviors and attitudes are expected?

How are coworkers expected to communicate and deal with each other?

How are decisions made and problems solved?

How do employees and customers expect to be treated?

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What is Corporate Culture Then?

An organization’s founders commonly determine the culture of an organization. It may evolve over time, but the processes and ways of working together become deeply embedded.

The beliefs and values of the workplace

The company’s focus of attention

The decision-making and problem resolution processes

Conduct and achievements that will be rewarded

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37 Pieces of Flair!

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Seeing Corporate Culture

Think about your company through these questions:

Who talks to whom?

What language do people use when talking about their work?

What is the preferred means of communication?

What is the style of written communication, via memos and e-mail messages?

Who is copied on the communications?

How are meetings conducted?

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Analyzing Corporate Culture

Zappos’ Company Culture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CcLIPaUz3E.

Apple’s Corporate Culture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcHpgsTg458.

Facebook’s Corporate Culture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovZdriTyFNA.

Cisco India’s Corporate Culture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHpsIGopFm8.

CSG International’s Corporate Culture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbkjy2W5OeU.

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Seeing Corporate Culture Critically

While you watch your video in your groups, think about these questions:

• What is it really like to work here?

• What behaviors and attitudes are expected?

• How are coworkers expected to communicate and deal with each other?

• How are decisions made and problems solved?

• How do employees and customers expect to be treated?

• How might the presentation of a company’s culture vary from employee to employee?