Culture of Commotion

Bright, colorful and fun!

Addressing the various ways culture is represented  


Let’s look at the workplace culture more in-depth, using a simple example of the popular and various coffee cultures.

Walk into any Starbucks, Pete’s, or local coffee shop and you’ll immediately get a sense of the culture and values of the organization. Everything conveys a message from the appearance, layout, artifacts, atmosphere, and interactions, representing a set of beliefs and a forming community that shares those values.  Looking further at these aspects you can see what the company really values. 

   1.       Physical Structure and layout

A niche spot for the more eccentric or selected few
that identify with "The Bulldog"

               

Notice appearances. It creates an emotion. It’s inviting or selective. It is identifiable to the beliefs and lifestyles it attracts. Perhaps it says it’s hip, sophisticated, grungy, earthy, exciting, pricey, or cheap.The size of the building creates a desired atmosphere. It can be spacious and inviting, small and cozy, or a kiosk in a parking lot to serve your urgent needs to get you on the road again.

Observe the layout and what it motivates employees and customers to do. How the employees and the customers interact...and even how the employees interact with themselves.

A fluid layout that moves customers through the shop. Allowing customer to grab their drink, past the entertainment, seat themselves, or continue outside to the patio seating.

Imitamate working conditions, open space, visability of
actions promotes social interaction, quick communication,
 and honesty of work

2.       Artifacts

Feels cozy and just like home

Take a look at how artifacts such as décor, furniture, and decorations enhance the values and atmosphere of the shop. 

Small tables draw people closer, pianos share the love for music, organic coffee bags as decor promote sustainability, modern chairs convey sense of high-class standards, local paintings show support for the arts, etc.  

Using artifacts to state
company values 

3.       Attire and self-presentation

Notice the message attire sends. It can convey quality, professionalism, individualism, and more. Customers may
evaluate the product based on employee's appearance and disposition (along with the other mentioned concepts).
They can also self-identify with the self-expressionism or with the brand that the employee's attire consistently represents.  Some coffee shops are known for their attire, from Starbuck's green aprons to Dutch Brothers beautiful, young baristas in trendy clothes. One is more standard and modern, the other is more young and hip.

4.       Communication Patterns

Complicated coffee jargon
 condensed in short-hand 

Take note of the process of communication. The jargon used between the cashier and customer 

(“Venti, Americano with an extra shot and 2 pumps of vanilla”). The baristas actively asking the next person in their line. The cashier writing the order in short-hand on the cup, passing it off to the barista. The baristas moving about, letting each other know what is being made, what is needed, and altering caution in passing (“I have the venti macchiato,” “I need non-fat milk after you, Briana,” “right behind you” “hot container, watch-out.”). The completed product is called out or delivered to the consumer with a final smile and fare-well wish.

Adding a little extra something to
communicate customer consideration
and care

Communication in various forms and LOTS of it. Non-verbal communication like the always friendly smile from cashiers  greeting  customers. A flare of art in the crème of a drink making the customer feel special and privileged. Written communication on boards, signs, and menus in logically placed locations. There’s a process and structure that works, with a flare of personality. It’s open, fast, simple, proactive, efficient, and positive.

Written communication can be fun and creative or
 formal and simple.

Friendly service and
easy to approach

5.       Atmosphere

The way all the above is communicated sets a certain tone and creates a certain atmosphere.
It promotes certain behaviors, interactions, and activities. Atmospheres can be calm and tranquil, bustling with lots of commotion, or jiving with live music. Coffee joints become a workspace, an escape, a quick treat, a first date, a social hot-spot, the usual hangout, a music scene, etc.

Each expresses themselves, their beliefs, and their values differently. They take part in different norms. This creates the popular and varying coffee culture.

Translation to Corporations

How does this translate to corporations with less customer interaction? Well, look at the physical layout. What type of interactions and behaviors does it promote?

Look at the artifacts in the environment of the workplace (décor, furniture, etc.). What  messages, emotions, and values is it conveying?

Technological communication channels

Look at the attire requirements and level of expressionism within the office. What are you trying to convey through the appearance of your employees? How do co-workers, customers, and executives interrupt this?

Look at the tone of communication and the efficiency of how messages are spread, understood, and accessed. Remember to consider verbal, non-verbal, and written forms. What impact does this have on your employees? Are there bottle necks? Inefficiencies? Negative tones?

Finally, look at the atmosphere of the organization. What is the tone, the feel, the energy? Do the employees agree with your assessment?

*sourced from dilbert.com

Homework

1. The next time you walk into Starbucks, see if you can identify their values through the five concepts listed above.  (Follow the link to find their values)

2. Analyze your own company and see if the company values are acurately being represented by the five concepts stated above. If not....well, review my previous blog post: "Creating Culture".