I have worked for various companies with different types of organizational cultures and have found that it can be a powerful, intangible force (positive or negative). Organizational culture can influence many aspects of a company such as job satisfaction, performance, turnover, creativity, company reputation and ultimately organizational effectiveness. Oftentimes people are stunned when they realize that they have been hired into a company that does not practice the vision and values that are posted on the company website.
Some companies use statements boasting about how great their organizational culture is, as merely an advertising tool. However, in today’s market candidates and customers are more likely to research a company by reaching out to others who will give honest feedback about it. This makes it even more important for companies to live up to the claims they make on their websites. The true organizational culture is not what is written it is the actual behavior of the organization.
If a company boasts about the importance of developing and supporting people yet employees feel that they are constantly denied opportunities to learn and be promoted then the company may have a challenge with its organizational culture. This company is likely to attract candidates who want to be developed therefore new hires may not stay long once the truth becomes evident. On the other hand if a company’s reputation supports its vission and values statements it is likely to attract and retain the type of candidates that will fit well in the environment.
Coach Kenya 