Changing Corporate Culture Project Overview
Change is often difficult but also necessary for the long-term success of any organization. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses had to quickly pivot away from business as usual to adapt to a new reality. Formal sit-down restaurants started offering takeout, hotels changed their check-in and cleaning processes, sports venues operated without spectators, and schools switched to a distance-learning model. Even more challenging than these operational changes, however, is a change in culture. Our textbook defines culture as “the shared values, norms, rules, and behaviors of an identifiable group of people who share a common history and communication system” Because values, norms, rules, and behaviors normally evolve over a considerable period of time, changing the culture represents a significant challenge. Your task is to persuade an audience of decision makers at an organization of your choosing to commit to a cultural change. Your task is to convince your organization to make one of the following changes.
• Take an active stance on issues of social justice in your community.
• Commit to environmental sustainability.
• Focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in hiring and promotion practices.
• Make your organization welcoming to people with disabilities.
• Provide a living wage and retirement benefits to all colleagues.
• Allow colleagues paid time off to engage in volunteer work.
• Include nonmanagement colleagues on the organization’s Board of Directors or leadership team.