Understanding how corporate attitudes and culture influence outcomes
What we do
How organisations describe themselves – and the business they believe they are in – has been a topic that has covered many pages of the most respected business books around. Less often discussed, but in our view equally important, is the organisation’s institutionalised attitude towards creativity.
All organisations like to think – and often believe – that creativity is at the centre of their business. Sadly, this is rarely true. While the most senior managers understand the importance of creativity, further down the organisation they fail to understand its relevance. They think of themselves variously as technology companies, retailers, financial institutions or service providers, and it is this misunderstanding that stifles creative entrepreneurship within the organisation.
At Town & Town we help our clients understand the culture within their organisation and its effect on encouraging or stifling creative thinking and entrepreneurship. It is our belief that creativity should be at the heart of every organisation looking to evolve and grow.
Here’s a situation you may find familiar…
“To be honest, I think all modern art is a con.” Sam could see that this away-day, designed to get to know people from other departments, was going to turn into an ear-bashing for him and his team in Creative Services. Maybe a trip to Tate Modern was not the best idea. It certainly wasn’t impressing the guys from IT.
Finding a solution
Back in the office, Sam tackled the issue with his boss. “How come we’re expected to act like creative entrepreneurs and outsmart the competition when anything ‘creative’ is up for a dig? Are they serious about this being a creatively led business? “His boss was sympathetic. “Maybe we need to get on outside view on our company culture.”
Resulting benefits
Understanding your company’s attitude to creativity is essential to its development, and you are unlikely to find out how people feel by asking them yourself. By bringing in an independent advisor you will quickly learn where any problems with the corporate culture lie, and you can then act to rectify the situation.