The Corporate Culture Audit - Nigel Bristow

There is little doubt that culture strongly affects the functioning of any organisation. But there is still little awareness among managers about how to uncover, evaluate and improve that culture - so that it works to reinforce the corporate strategy. The most effective way to identify the critical values and assumptions shared in a company is to conduct a culture audit. But, however you use the audit, it will give fascinating insights into the way your company works. Every organization should undertake it

The Corporate Culture Audit is a 5-step approach to evaluating your organisational culture - then harnessing that culture to win competitive advantage The company culture - 'the way we do things round here' - has a decisive impact on competitiveness and profitability. Changing and harnessing the company culture is also the vital first-step in any improvement programme. But how do you assess objectively something as intangible as company culture?

This audit outlines a 5-Step Culture Assessment and explains:

* the 4 elements of a company culture (purpose; strategic competence; trust/equity; adaptability)

* the 'hard' and 'soft' data you can gather

* how to collect, frame and analyse that data

* how to eliminate bias without using external consultants

* how to present and use your audit findings.