The pace of technological change far outpaces my ability to keep up. I feel pretty bad-ass when I update the plugins on my website (even though my website is out of date!) I know about “zaps” and Buffer and SEOs and most days my smart phone doesn’t lord it over me that it’s much smarter than I am. But though I read Wired just to try to keep up, it’s actually a losing battle. It’s all just happening and changing faster than I or my budget can keep up with.
But even though I may not be keeping up with the latest tech, I know how important updates are! I do know that if you don’t update, upgrade and fix what you have, all of your technology can crash. And I know you have to have a solid operating system to make it all work.
The same is true for your culture!
Think of your culture as the operating system. It’s hidden but it drives everything. Depending on how you look at it, your OS has 3 main functions: It manages the computer’s resources, it establishes a user interface, and it executes and provides services for applications software. (Thank you Google search!) Your culture is a similar, hidden operating system that includes communication flow, user (client) and employee interface and it is the vehicle by which all business gets done – in this case, the applications software is the people doing their jobs.
So the question is, when was the last time you updated your culture?
Are you still using processes from when your business was smaller? Are you still using the same management flow even though job descriptions have changed? Are you still hiring and on-boarding the same way you always have even though you know you need to diversify?
Some things are easy fixes like re-doing organization charts and making sure that the right people are in the room for the right meetings. Other fixes are more difficult. Fixing things like trust, engagement, inclusion and belonging and basic organizational rituals and patterns are more difficult. But it can be done. It just takes attention and a plan.
Hopefully you have a plan for your IT along with your marketing and communication and, of course, succession, plans but do you have a plan for your cultural growth? If not, make one today. Your success depends on it. Let me know if I can help.
And I hope when we’re all old and grey that there will be the right tech support to keep us connected as in this hysterical Alexa video!
Also published on Medium.