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Hello Mike,
I am struggling to analyse the culture of the organisation using some aspects of the cultural web.
Question 1:
For example, if we look at symbols,Frigate, december 2010 question says:
“Symbols such as logos, offices, cars, titles, language and terminology are a shorthand representation of the nature of the organisation. At Frigate, the adoption of the term ‘Commander’ by its managing director, Ron Frew, and his use of naval terminology is indicative of how he wishes to be perceived and the way he wants the company to run. Indeed the name of the company itself reflects his naval obsession. The main symbol of his success is the motor cruiser that Frew owns and moors at the local port. The irony is that Frew actually has no naval experience. He is acting out a stereotype of how he perceives naval life to be.”
But can the symbol be instead:
“Ron is extremely critical of suppliers and customers, believing the suppliers are constantly shortchanging the company and that the customers are overly demanding.”?If so, what is the impact of this on the culture of Frigate? Or have I misunderstood the definition of “language” under symbols?
Question 2:
The Frigate co answer used the criticism of supplies and customers by Ron to explain “stories”:“The stories told by members of an organisation are usually concerned with success, disasters, heroes, villains and mavericks. It appears that Frew is the hero, seeing off lazy staff, unscrupulous suppliers (trying to sell me inferior quality goods for higher prices), problematic customers (moaning about prices and paying later and later) and bureaucratic officials (squandering my hard-earned money). These are identified as the villains. He even extends his stories to society as a whole, believing that a period working in the navy would do everyone good.”
Is it safe to say that this story told by Ron influences the employees into believing the suppliers and customers are villains?
Is this what the purpose of identifying stories is for- to identify what influences employees?Hoping you could help me on these, thank you so much.
I’m Ken, not Mike.
Symbols and titles. No hos attidude towards suppliers andmcustomers is not a symbol or title. Symbols are big offices, flashy cars, a reserved,parkinf space, expensive clothing etc. Titles are ‘sir’, ‘captain’, ‘beloved leader’ etc.
The stories about suppliers and customers will establish how these stakeholders are treated. Even if employees do not believe they are complete villains, Ron’s confrontational attitude will have an influence.
Oh dear, I am so sorry for getting your name mixed up.
Would symbols include verbal representations as well? BPP study text includes this under the definition of symbols: “verbal representation like language and titles can symbolise the nature of an organisation”
It then uses an example of “Mechanics use jargon which customer don’t understand to describe parts and problems” to describe “language”.
What is the purpose of identifying this? How does it define the culture of the organisation?
Hoping you could help me on this, thank you once again, Ken.
Oh dear, I am so sorry for getting your name mixed up.
Would symbols include verbal representations as well? BPP study text includes this under the definition of symbols: “verbal representation like language and titles can symbolise the nature of an organisation”It then uses an example of “Mechanics use jargon which customer don’t understand to describe parts and problems” to describe “language”.
What is the purpose of identifying this? How does it define the culture of the organisation?
Hoping you could help me on this, thank you once again, Ken.
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