Culture Archives

Mergers and Acquisitions – Culture by Default or by Design?

March 16, 2015 by Harmony Crew

Of the many strategic decisions a leadership team makes, mergers and acquisitions are among the most difficult – and important. With millions – even billions – of dollars in play, as well as the diverse and often competing interests of employees, partners, and investors, how does a leadership team know if they are making the right move? While the financial “bottom line” is still critical, many CEOs are taking a broader, more holistic view. For example, Google’s Larry Page uses … Read More

Trust Me…

March 10, 2015 by Harmony Crew

What comes to mind when you hear the words “trust me…”? A slick used-car salesman? A shady politician? Chances are, your first thought was of someone trying to get the best of you in an underhanded way. And that’s normal. Because trust – like respect – can’t be commanded. It has to be earned. What does this mean for business leaders? A lot. Research shows that the character and actions of the senior leader are inextricably linked with trust in … Read More

Culture | Leadership

Bridging Multiple Generations On Your Team

January 14, 2015 by Harmony Crew

As much as we like to talk about generational differences (the “command and control” Baby Boomer or the “lazy” Millennial), does age really determine how you’ll perform on the job? Of course not. But life experiences and backgrounds combined with the major cultural, social, and political events that occur during our formative years undoubtedly shape how we interpret and react to the world. To a large extent, our mindsets, communication styles, comfort with technology, and work habits are heavily influenced … Read More

Culture | Leadership

Getting with the “Be With”Program Helps Managers Become Leaders

October 22, 2014 by Harmony Crew

We recently blogged about the importance of spending time with your direct reports. While research suggests that six hours a week spent interacting with your employees may be the “magic number” for increasing engagement, we believe the issue isn’t just about quantity – it’s also about quality. For example, when you’re talking with your employees or team members – in person or on the phone – what do you discuss beyond work priorities and deadlines? If the answer is “nothing,” … Read More

Culture | Leadership

A Holistic View Of Employee Recognition Pays Off

September 17, 2014 by Harmony Crew

You may have already heard the recent news that, according to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace Study, 62 percent of employees are “not engaged” at work. These individuals aren’t outwardly hostile, disruptive or unproductive like their “actively disengaged” peers. They usually show up and do what they’re told. Yet, while their managers and co-workers may like them, they probably don’t trust them to go the extra mile. To have the emotional commitment and self-motivation to move from competent to … Read More

Brand | Culture | Leadership

Can you help me?

September 4, 2014 by Harmony Crew

In response to ever-increasing levels of competition from their on-line competitors, many traditional retailers are putting more emphasis on personal and friendly service – “the human touch.” After all, high-end retailers like Nordstrom have successfully used this approach for years. Deliver superior service and engender customer loyalty – it certainly sounds like a recipe for success. Perhaps like us, you’ve noticed an uptick in attempted helpfulness in your recent shopping trips. Or have you? We’ve all felt the important difference … Read More

Culture | Leadership

Shifting From Compliance To Engagement

August 21, 2014 by Harmony Crew

According to a recent Gallup Poll, more than 70 percent of Americans are disengaged at work. That’s seven out of every 10 employees – the majority of our workforce! What’s especially challenging is that many of these individuals are adequate contributors. They get the job done. They receive average performance reviews. But, they are largely going through the motions without the passion, commitment or creativity of their more engaged peers. Just think of the untapped potential you could unleash if … Read More

Brand | Culture | Marketing

Discovering Your Authentic Brand Promise

July 28, 2014 by Harmony Crew

The critically acclaimed TV series, Mad Men, may be set in the 1960s, but the insights it offers into the evolution of advertising, marketing, and business strategy are timeless. A scene in Season 7 particularly resonated with us. As the creative team gathers to start work for a major new client, Peggy directs each of the copywriters to give her 25 taglines by the next day. When Don asks, “What’s the strategy?” she responds, “They want to see the tags … Read More

Culture | Leadership

Mother May I?

July 21, 2014 by Harmony Crew

How to foster “Adult-Adult” relationships with your team. What do you call someone who lets you cry on their shoulder, mediates your disagreements, solves your problems, tells you what to do – and checks to make sure that you did it? If you answered “boss,” you’re not alone. Leaders and managers in all types of organizations – from government and non-profits to the Fortune 100 – struggle with how to establish meaningful and productive relationships with their employees. If you’re … Read More

Culture | Leadership

Applying lessons from science helps us feel good – and that’s good for business

May 29, 2014 by Harmony Crew

It’s not easy to achieve lofty goals if it doesn’t feel good getting there. So clearly, it makes sense that work should feel good. Then why are so many people stuck in a seemingly endless cycle of fatigue and frustration? Why are so many in the working world – executives included – giving so much of themselves, but feeling disengaged and underappreciated? Gallup’s recently released “State of the Global Workplace” report provides valuable insight into our happiness and productivity at … Read More

1 2 3