In today’s fast-paced business world, a strong organisational culture is more than just a nice-to-have—it’s a critical enabler of success. According to Harvard Business Review, companies that proactively manage their culture can see up to 516% higher revenue growth than those that don’t. While a solid business strategy is essential, your culture is the foundation that helps bring that strategy to life.
Organisational culture defines how things are done within a company—the attitudes, behaviours, and values that influence decision-making and interactions among employees. Simply put, strategy is what a company does, while culture is how it does it. When a company aligns its culture with its goals, it ensures that its team members are unified behind a common purpose, which drives higher levels of employee engagement and performance. This leads directly to improved productivity, better service delivery, and long-term financial success.
In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where rapid growth is a constant, culture plays an even more vital role. As regional businesses scale, their culture needs to evolve alongside their growth strategies to ensure a smooth integration of new employees, ideas, and processes.
A well-defined culture acts as a blueprint for employees, helping them understand not just the tasks at hand, but also how to work together to achieve shared objectives. When employees are engaged and invested, they are more likely to take ownership of their work, contributing to the business’s overall success.
As Lucy d’Abo, CEO of together, points out: “A strong business strategy is key, but your culture is the enabler to achieve it. At together, we’ve seen first-hand how culture can transform businesses. Organisations that invest in building a strong culture not only see improved financial results but also a more resilient workforce that can adapt to changing environments.”
The key is in fostering a culture that is aligned with the company’s mission, vision, and values—one that motivates employees and creates an environment where they can do their best work.
If your company culture isn’t aligned with your business strategy, you might find yourself working harder to achieve your goals than you need to. A culture that isn’t working for you can hold back innovation, stifle creativity, and lead to employee disengagement. In contrast, a positive, purpose-driven culture helps propel businesses forward, making it an indispensable part of any successful organisation.
So, take a moment to ask yourself: Is your company culture helping or hindering your ability to achieve your business goals?
Top Tips for Aligning Organisational Culture with Business Strategy:
- Assess your current culture – Regularly assess your workplace culture to understand how it aligns with your business goals and identify areas for improvement. Yes, culture can be quantified!
- Communicate your vision – Ensure that your company’s mission, vision, and values are clearly communicated to all employees, so everyone is on the same page.
- Lead by example – Leadership should embody the values and culture they wish to cultivate. Employees are more likely to adopt company values if they see them modelled at the top.
- Encourage open communication – Foster an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas, providing feedback, and collaborating with one another.
Invest in employee development – Provide training and growth opportunities to help employees feel more engaged and aligned with the company’s culture.
