Chapter Four

CorporateCulture English for

Management

Contents

Definition1

Factors revealing Corporate Culture2

Ikea as an example3

Corporate culture is defined as the specific collection of values and norms that are shared by people and groups in an organization and that control the way they interact with each other and with stakeholders outside the organization.

Just like a thread running through an organization

Definition

Brainstorming

Discuss in groups of four.

What are major factors revealing corporate culture?

                            

1. Artifacts, such as dress, office layout, symbols, slogans, ceremonies

1. Artifacts, such as dress, office layout, symbols, slogans, ceremonies

2. Expressed values, such as “The HP Way”

3. Underlying assumptions and deep beliefs, such as “Don’t hesitate, just do it”

2. Expressed values, such as “The HP Way”

3. Underlying assumptions and deep beliefs, such as “Don’t hesitate, just do it”

Culture that canbe seen at thesurface level

Culture that canbe seen at thesurface level

Deeper values & shared understandingsby all members

Deeper values & shared understandingsby all members

VisibleVisible

InvisibleInvisible

Symbols

Slogans

Dress Code

Dress Code

In a casual work setting, employees should wear clothing that is comfortable and practical for work, but not distracting or offensive to others.

Heroes

Others

Google’s dog policyAddressing each other on a

first-name basisOpen-plan office

The HP Way 惠普之道

We have trust and respect for individuals. We focus on a high level of achievement and

contribution. We conduct our business with uncompromising

integrity. We achieve our common objectives through

teamwork. We encourage flexibility and innovation.

Other Mission Statements

Ford Motor Company (early 1900's) Ford will democratize the automobile“

Sony (early 1950's) "Become the company most known for changing

the worldwide poor-quality image of Japanese products“

Boeing (1950) "Become the dominant player in commercial

aircraft and bring the world into the jet age“

Walt Disney Values

No cynicism Nurturing and promulgation of

"wholesome American values" Creativity, dreams and

imagination Fanatical attention to

consistency and detail Preservation and control of the

Disney "magic"

The Ikea Way - Reading

Read the passage ‘A strong and living corporate culture’ on page 90.

Discuss in groups of four the following questions. What are COMPANY VALUES of Ikea? What are COMPANY POLICIES concerning

welfare for managers, recruitment, and promotion?

How would you describe Ikea employees?

Ikea’s values, policies & staff profile

COMPANYCOMPANYVALUESVALUES

simplicity, humility, thrift, responsibility, enthusiasm,

flexibility, openness

COMPANYCOMPANYPOLICIESPOLICIES

- absence of status symbols; - recruitment of people who share

the company’s values; - Internal promotion;

STAFFSTAFFPROFILEPROFILE

- Strong enough to question and change things if necessary.

- Caring- Human

Ikea’s values, policies & staff profile

The Ikea Way - Discussion

Discuss the meaning of following words and sentences.

We also want people who can cut across our organization. (Para. 3)

To see the person behind the professional.

(Para. 5) Battles are seldom won at the desk. They are

won out in the real world. (Para. 6) The continued success of Ikea rests on the

involvement of individual employees. (Para. 7)

The Ikea Way - Listening

Goran Nilsson, Managing Director of Ikea UK, talks about the company’s corporate culture.

Listen for the first time. Get the general idea.

Listen for the second time. Choose one correct answer for multiple choices questions.

The Ikea Way – Listening 2

Five Ikea managers talk about Ikea and its founder, Ingvar Kamprad.

Listen and decide which core Ikea values each anecdote illustrates.

Vocabulary

Cornerstone 基石 Vitality 活力，生气 Exaggerate 夸张 Humility 谦逊 Thrift 节俭，节约 Unpretentious 谦逊的，开诚布公的 Impulse 推动力 ; 刺激 Rebuke 指责，训斥 Synonymous 同义的 Rest on 依靠 Perceptiveness 感知力，觉察力

Vocabulary

Swedish krona 瑞典克郎 Cost-consciousness 成本意识 Democratic 民主的 Humbleness 谦逊 Pay-off 收益 Figure 合乎情理 Mindset 心态 Initiative 举措 Walking the talk 将言论付诸实践

Vocabulary

Flashy 炫耀的 Career advancement 职业发展 Scandinavian 斯堪的纳维亚的 Management induction 管理人员入职培训 In situ 在原处 / 完好无损