It's the Culture Stupid!
11/18/02
Lou Gerstner, Jr., has reflected on what it took to make IBM's dramatic turnaround work. You may be surprised by his comments: "Along the way, something happened--something that quite frankly surprised me. I fell in love with IBM. ... I came to see, in my decade at IBM, that culture isn't just one aspect of the game--it is the game. ... We changed almost every process in this company, but none of those changes would have gotten done if we didn't convince the IBM team that a whole new set of values and behaviors had to emerge. And interestingly, many of them were a return to IBM's true values, not the grotesquely misalignment of those values that had emerged during the bad years. ... Once IBM was reminded of its core culture, it helped rally the company and bind it together in ways that had been absent for years."
Company cultures can shift from its true values when left on autopilot. As CEO, Lou Gerstner learned to reignite sound values in pursuit of needed changes. He showed that in a chaotic world, a company's core values can provide a clear direction for needed change. Thomas Watson, Sr., began the tradition of sober, formal business dress because he wanted his salesman to look like the bank presidents they called on. The purpose was built around the value of making customers comfortable. In current years, IBM's rigid adherence to a formal look did not make customers comfortable. They also made IBMers look out of touch. By reaffirming the value of making the customer comfortable, now, even executives will show up in khakis and sweaters if it makes the customers comfortable. When was the last time you revisited the core values of your organization as a catalyst for needed change? Maybe it is time to do just that. A few more turnarounds are in order in these challenging times. And guess what? Maybe you too will fall in love with the culture and the people who make it work in your organization.
MONDAY'S MIRTHFUL MOMENT
Dr. Ann Weeks provides this week's mirth--some "Tweakers" compliments of NYRhoda. Enjoy:
1. Marriage changes passion... suddenly you're in bed with a relative.
2. I don't approve of political jokes... I've seen too many of them get elected.
3. Shopping tip--You can get shoes for 85 cents at the bowling alley.
4. I am a nobody, and nobody is perfect; therefore I am perfect.
5. How come we choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America?
6. Every time I walk into a singles bar I can hear Mother's wise words--"Don't pick that up, you don't know where it's been."
When you keep your eyes open for mirth, you just may find it! Hope this kicks off your morning and helps get your mood adjusted for the week. Now, get busy MAKING CHANGE WORK and have some fun along the way!...