It’s pretty well accepted these days that culture eats strategy in terms of moving a company forward.

It’s also a given that you need to take time to consciously build your culture, whether for company, group or team, since culture will happen regardless.

However, your cultural structure won’t stand long without some very pragmatic infrastructure.

In other words, culture needs to have teeth.

If you’re counting on an honor system where nothing happens to those who violate the culture then, over time, it will erode.

Not because you hire “bad” people, but because you hire humans and humans often tend to do what is convenient, instead of what they should do.

They also tend to follow a “monkey see/monkey do” pattern, so if a new hire sees an old hand cut a tiny corner here and skirt a little something there and nothing happens, then expect her to think it’s OK.

Teeth aren’t about bureaucracy they’re about the obvious repercussions that happen when the culture is violated.

They aren’t sneaky or hidden; they don’t demean or embarrass.

Above all, teeth don’t bite selectively; they apply equally to everybody—which is why they work.

Their purpose is to strengthen your culture, not undermine it — which is what happens the moment someone becomes exempt.

Flickr image credit: Claudio Gennari

Who do you channel? Sun Tzu or Lao Tzo?

I’ve cited Lao Tzu multiple times over the years, but, unlike most management gurus, not Sun Tzu’s Art of War.

I never liked battle analogies; never understood the idea of “killing the competition.” In spite of what I was told was my naiveté, it seemed to me that loving the customer was more important.

While those battle terms are still around, it seems like I was on to something way back then.

According to Frank Cespedes, Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School and author of Aligning Strategy and Sales those fighting words get the focus wrong.

Strategy gurus constantly use analogies with battle plans for “competitive advantage” versus the enemy. But the metaphor is not suitable because business, unlike a war or battle, is not primarily about defeating an enemy. Business is primarily about customer value: targeting customer groups and tailoring products, sales and other activities to serve those groups better or differently than others. (…)  Peter Drucker emphasized, “The purpose of a business is to create a customer.” That’s also the purpose of any business strategy: make customers, not war.

Winning customers is actually pretty simple, delight them, amaze them and provide them with something they either need or want.

Do all that and the competition will fade away in the eyes of your customers.

And theirs are the only eyes that matter.

Image credit: Kevin Wong

Image credit: HikingArtist on flickr

Post from Leadership Turn Image credit: TouTouke

It’s May and lots of strange and risky weather is in the air. It’s risk time here at the Business Channel and 13 of us met our editor’s challenge to do something different, because taking calculated risks is the foundation of most success—in or out of business.

For those of you who missed what’s new, here’s a list of risks by us and tips for you from around the channel.

1. At taxgirl, Kelly offers her best tax advice – to make decisions regardless of the tax consequences.
2. Mary Emma offers a peek into what it’s like to make the leap into entrepreneurship by developing your home business at Home Biz Notes, while Yvonne offers tips for taking chances in your home business.
3. Are you willing to take candy from strangers? Our newest blogger, Jennifer at Everyday Networker, thinks that it’s okay despite the risk. Find out under what circumstances it makes sense.
4. At Brandcurve, Susan explores the challenges and rewards involved in taking chances with your brand. Are you game?
5. Personal investment is all about taking risks. Should you avoid investing in a shaky market? Miranda has the answer at Yielding Wealth.
6. Politicians take risks every day – whether it’s Hillary downing a shot with a beer chaser (really!) or Obama trying out his bowling chops, it’s about getting noticed. At One Vote Matters, Thursday reminds us what’s really at risk during election season.
7. Leadership Turn invites you to be part of a new leadership reality show on the web. Miki is looking for help producing So you think you can lead… lots of fun opportunities for involvement and good stuff for the volunteers. Why not take a chance yourself?
8. Speaking of, what’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken? What about being the standout in your niche because everyone else says it can’t be done? At Doing Biz Abroad, Chris discusses why choosing to practice law in Philadelphia was outside of the norm.
9. Kristen at Biz Chicks Rule also discusses taking career risks. Do you like what you do? Shouldn’t you?
10. Rachel discusses taking chances in another niche – digital marketing – at Behind the Buzz – have you tried Penguin yet?
11. At Talk Stock Trading, Tisa ventures out of stocks to commodities to find out who is to blame for the “Gas Face” – you can cast your vote here.
12. At Digital Money World, Moneypenny wonders what to do when your choices are limited by circumstances that feel out of your control.
13. And not just a post – but an overhaul – Buzz Networker has a new writer, a new feel and a completely different look. Colleen is anxious to know if the risk pays off.

Join the fun and tell us what risks you’ll take this Spring.

Your comments—priceless

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