culture series #1: organisational culture, what every business needs to know

What's the secret ingredient that transforms an ordinary workplace into a thriving, innovative powerhouse? It's not just cutting-edge tools or brilliant talent. It's organisational culture - the invisible force shaping how team work, interact, and grow. At Beluga, we're passionate about helping businesses embrace and evolve their culture, creating environments where people and ideas can thrive. But what exactly is organisational culture, and why is it such a critical part of business success? Let's break it down.

what is organisational culture?

Organisational culture is the shared values, behaviours, and practices that define how a company operates. It's the "vibe" of an organisation - its DNA, personality, and moral compass rolled into one. From how teams communicate to how decisions are made, culture shapes the employee experience and the organisations trajectory.

Culture can be described in many ways:

• Observable Behaviours: These are the patterns that employees follow daily, like collaboration or autonomy in decision-making.

• How We Make It Make Sense: Culture gives teams a shared understanding of goals and purpose, aligning their actions.

• Social Control System: It promotes desirable behaviours and discourages those that don't align with organisational values.

• Organisational Immune System: Culture can act as a protective barrier, filtering ideas and practices that don't fit the organisation.

Far from being static, culture evolves in response to internal dynamics and external factors like societal trends and market shifts. The hidden culture of an organisation (what people feel) can be different from the visible culture (what we see and observe everyday).

why does culture matter?

A thriving culture is essential for achieving business success. Here's why:

1. Attracting and Retaining Talent

Employees today aren’t just looking for a job; they want a workplace that aligns with their values and offers purpose. A strong culture is a significant driver of retention, with research from Glassdoor showing that 56% of employees value culture more than salary when deciding on a job (Glassdoor).

2. Driving Business Performance

Culture has a direct impact on business outcomes. According to PwC’s Global Culture Survey, companies with positive cultures are twice as likely to achieve exceptional business performance (PwC). Additionally, research from Deloitte highlights that organisations with aligned cultures and values are 30% more likely to achieve long-term growth (Deloitte).

3. Encouraging Innovation and Agility

In a fast-changing world, open communication and collaboration empower teams to adapt and generate new ideas. Google, for instance, credits its "psychological safety" approach to team interactions for its sustained innovation (HBR).

4. Improving Employee Wellbeing

A supportive culture improves mental health and reduces absenteeism. A study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) found that organisations with strong, positive cultures report 26% fewer sick days (CPD Online).

the four types of organisational culture

Cameron and Quinn’s 'Competing Values Framework' offers fascinating insights into organisational culture, drawing on extensive research to categorise how companies operate and evolve. They categorised organisational culture into four distinct areas each offering unique advantages:

• Clan Culture: People-focused, promoting teamwork and inclusivity.

• Adhocracy Culture: Innovation-driven, encouraging creativity and risk-taking.

• Market Culture: Results-oriented, centred on competition and achievement.

• Hierarchy Culture: Structured and efficiency-focused, ideal for consistency (HBR).

At Beluga, we recognise that no organisation fits neatly into a single category. Through our Culture Evolution services, we help businesses discover their unique cultural blend and refine it for success.

what makes a culture great?

The best-performing organisations share key cultural traits that drive their success:

• Alignment: Clear goals and a shared vision.

• Trust: Transparent communication and mutual respect.

• Innovation: The willingness to embrace new ideas.

• Psychological Safety: A safe space where employees feel confident sharing ideas and giving feedback.

• Appreciation: Regular recognition and celebration of achievements

A study by Gallup found that organisations with engaged and aligned cultures report 23% higher profitability compared to those without (Gallup).

when and how to change organisational culture

Sometimes, the culture that got an organisation to one stage can hold it back from reaching the next. Signs that it’s time for change include:

• High turnover or disengagement rates.

• A shift in business strategy misaligned with current norms.

• Inability to adapt to technological or market changes (CPD Online).

"Culture change isn’t easy—only about 30% of such transformations succeed"

According to McKinsey (McKinsey) success requires committed leadership, clear objectives, and full organisational involvement. Microsoft’s turnaround under Microsoft's leadership offers an inspiring example of how bold cultural reinvention can lead to extraordinary results (HBR).

how beluga can help transform your culture

At Beluga, we believe that empowering organisations to embrace change and unlock their potential is a key to success. Here’s how we can help:

1. Culture Evolution

Our Culture Evolution programmes guide businesses through the complexities of cultural alignment and transformation. Whether it’s developing an Employee Value Proposition (EVP) or creating a roadmap for change, we ensure your culture supports your goals.

2. Immersive Learning Experiences

Our Immersive Learning Experiences are designed to inspire growth and adaptability. The Be More: Leadership workshops focus on building confident leaders who can motivate teams, set clear goals, and navigate challenges effectively, blending practical insights with engaging activities.

3. Employee Experience Design

We’ll help you design and implement extraordinary employee journeys, creating cultures that attract top talent and improve retention, from onboarding and induction design to employee engagement initiatives or experiences centred around your values and behaviours.

4. Leadership Retreats

Through creative leadership retreats and tailored facilitation, we equip leaders with the tools to inspire and guide cultural change. We can help kick-start your journey of transformation if you're unsure on where to start first. A retreat is a great way to gather key stakeholders an hone in on your story as a business, charting your world reality and where you want to head.

Organisational culture isn’t just a buzzword, it’s your greatest asset. When nurtured, aligned and applied with your business strategy, it drives engagement, innovation, and performance. Whether you’re looking to refine your culture, embrace change, or strengthen what’s already working well, we’re here to help.

Are you ready to dive deeper and create a culture that sets your organisation apart?