So little is understood about the mysteries of an organisation’s culture, is it any wonder that business today shakes it head and simply decides to dispute the existence of cultural issues. As strategists we have no choice but to acknowledge its existence because we see its effects each and every day.
Understanding culture in your organisation, while onerous, is never the less, an essential ingredient to success and a failure to recognise or understand its ramifications is nothing short of dangerous.
Explore our historical blog articles for nuggets of wisdom (and random musings) from our crew.
Frustrated with an annoying radio personality on Triple J, my staple radio diet, I decided to flick over to commercial radio for a temporary listen, hoping for one of those no-ad-marathons. Unfortunately, I was absolutely pummelled with really really really bad advertising. If television advertising is like shopping at Target, this was like shopping at Red Dot – bargain basement stuff.
Humans are wired to pay attention to colour. From the black and yellow stripes on a bee’s body, to the heavy grey clouds of an impending storm, colour gives meaning to our environment and our experiences within it.
I find the notion of reversing your carbon footprint interesting – plant a few trees and you’re clear. It’s an excellent concept, don’t get me wrong, but companies are using it as another sales tool, a way to boost their corporate conscience and the bottom line.
Nothing should shock me any more. I’m considered a resident of the Home for the Bewildered; honoured by punks who address me as ‘Grandad’; checked out by females who look like Whistler’s Mother and generally treated as if the autumn of my life has turned distinctly snowy. Yet contrary to popular belief, age does not insulate you against disbelief or observed stupidity. Just yesterday, I read about a caring business owner who in response to a customer complaint, promptly banned the customer from his store, abused her, used foul language to describe her complaint and harassed her all the way through the car park to her car.
Balance. Sounds simple doesn’t it. So why is it that we view balance differently even when there is only the slightest change? Give this a try…stand with your feet together and look forward. Easy isn’t it? Ok, now find something to stand on – a milk crate, a stack of books, anything with a little bit of height and a small surface area. Stand in exactly the same way…not as easy is it?
I have just finished reading a book by Tom O’Toole, the founder of the renowned Beechworth Bakery in Beechworth, Victoria. And I’ll tell you, it’s bloody fantastic. This guy can’t use a computer, can’t use a calculator, and can’t spell. But I learnt so much from this book.