This is costing NZ business billions……

This is costing NZ business billions…….

Where does business culture come from? It’s not a trick question- in fact it’s a question that many answer correctly -business culture comes from leadership.

The real question is, if so many know the source of business culture why do we get leadership and the resulting culture so wrong asks Chris Bell, Managing Director of Customer Experiences an organisation that specialises in the development of employee and customer focused cultures.

In May 2009 a New Zealand survey on leadership and workplace culture found that poor work culture and a lack of workplace leadership was costing NZ business more than 2.6 billion a year.

The survey went on to say that less than 45 percent of those surveyed had trust and confidence in their work leadership and less than 47 percent felt their leader’s management style improved their productivity.

Another survey and another ignored result backed up by recent examples including Telecom and CEO Paul Reynolds. His recent vision for Telecom is “a customer focused organisation that works together”. That was also his vision back in 2007 when he came into his position - Paul, as customers we are still waiting.

The recent Pricewaterhouse report on the NZ Police is another example of many reports and still little action to address leadership and cultural issues and once again the Minister has given the people of NZ assurances that this will be addressed.

To business leaders – clearly define the culture you want to create to maximise your organisation’s potential and find the right people to develop that culture.

To employees- Clearly define the culture that will allow you to maximise your potential and then identify organisations that have that culture in place.

To customers – Understand that in a competitive market place you have all the power. Use your power wisely by only supporting those organisations that are focused on you.

If business is to make any progress in 2011 leadership and culture will need to be addressed. 2.6 billion dollars in the current economic climate is just too much to ignore as we continue to linger near the bottom of the OECD productivity rankings.

ENDS

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