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1Running Head: Organizational Culture

Organizational Culture

Christina Guthrie

Slippery Rock University


Scheins levels of culture can be compared to my organization, Liberty Tax in multiple

ways. In addition, these characteristics can also relate to the popular software company,

Microsoft. To start, the artifacts are the characteristics of our organization that can be viewed,

heard, and felt by individuals. A very important and the most impressionable artifact is our

costumes. Liberty Tax is recognized by the Statue of Liberty costume (Management Study

Guide, 2014).

During tax season, marketers dress up in the Statue of Liberty costume and act as a live

advertisement. This form of outrageous marketing is vital to the success of the Liberty Tax

Service offices. We venture from business to business and make partnerships while others are

entertained by the costume being worn. The ultimate goal is to attract customers and help the

community.

Our approach is to be professional and passionate about our pursuit of fun. We are

creating a culture in which fun, humor, and playfulness is the center in a fast growing, world-

class business. We believe in giving back to our communities and partnering directly with non-

profit organizations. The bottom line is that fun is hard to avoid fun at Liberty Tax Service.

Microsoft has more of a defined and business-like approach. They target more students

and working professionals. Unlike Liberty tax there is not a costumed person to attract the

attention of the public. This company makes its appearance everywhere from mobile phones,

personal computers, and game systems within homes, businesses, and schools.

Marketing in itself has a mission, strategy, and a goal. Our goal is to provide security,

confidence, and protection along with the feeling of having a personal tax consultant. Our most

valuable asset is our attitude and personality so that we can relate to and communicate to the


public. We measure our goals by keeping a record on how many clients come in with our

promotional material and who was referred to us through the send a friend program.

Microsoft employees all share a passion for life in creating quality products for the

people who count on us to help them realize their potential. Life at Microsoft is about more than

just work, it's about who we are as people. Careers at Microsoft go beyond training, everyone is

encouraged to choose or be a mentor. Within this one company, customers ranging from

consumers to corporations and from gamers to governments are all taken care of. It’s an

opportunity to experience a variety of jobs, technologies, and geographies. Ultimately, the goal is

to make an impact by working on things that make a real difference in millions, even billions, of

people’s lives (Microsoft, 2015).

The next level according to Schein is the values of the employees. The thought process

and attitude of an employer has an effect upon what people will actually think. The Liberty Tax

focus is to have fun by creating raving fans. Like every organization, we make mistakes, but we

learn from them and view them as a wise person’s education (Sideways Thoughts, 2014).

Having set policies, procedures, rules, and an assigned person to manage the team affirms

that things will be run smoothly and effectively. Having fun and being friendly is our main

policy, with this is in mind it’s not difficult to meet goals and receive awards. Our basic reward

is the referral program for the public. For every referral someone would receive fifty dollars and

additional prizes for referring three, five, and ten people.

Microsoft offers rewards and benefits beyond being a current employee. Employees of

Microsoft are all connected through an Alumni Network and Alumni Foundation. The Microsoft

Alumni Network (MSA) and Microsoft Alumni Foundation (MSAF) invite any and all former


Microsoft employees to join the community by becoming members. MSA provides a network of

professionals and discounts on products. MSAF enables employees to find organizations to

support or find alumni to help support nonprofit work (Microsoft, 2015).

Fundamental assumptions are in the last level of culture that Schein discusses. This level

answers questions for the organization. The reality of the situation is that we all need to

complete our taxes every year. Timing plays a role in this organization as far as processing the

returns to meet IRS deadlines. Various activities are designed to target early and late season

customers. Space is provided for each employer, although we are all friends, space gives us our

own identity. Everyone at the office works as a team and we all look out and help one another

(Sideways Thoughts, 2014).

With Microsoft, technology is exploding with powerful mobile devices, more compact

computers, and game systems. Microsoft employees must be able to keep up with the fast paced

world. Timing is very important in this type of industry. Employees are committed to adhere to

the strict policies that contribute to how we work, learn, live and play.

The workplace within Microsoft is very different from the typical office setting. This

company provides a lively atmosphere consisting of libraries, clubs and gyms. To make the day

even more enjoyable, subsidized restaurants and breakout areas featuring the latest gadgets are

accessible (Microsoft, 2015)


References:

Renando, Chad. (2014). Sideways Thoughts. Organisational culture defined, courtesy of Edgar

Schein. Retrieved from http://www.sidewaysthoughts.com/blog/2010/11/organisational-

culture-defined-courtesy-of-edgar-schein/

Management Study Guide. (2013). Edgar Schein Model of Organization Culture. Retrieved from

http://managementstudyguide.com/edgar-schein-model.htm

The Microsoft homepage presents information on the careers, business groups, and opportunities

within the company (http://www.microsoft.com/about/en/us/default.aspx).

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