Client Background:
Navigating Rapid Growth and Culture Integration
A data center and managed services provider grew significantly through multiple acquisitions, expanding from two to nine locations over three years. While operations were integrated, cultural alignment proved challenging. Leadership faced conflicts between teams, misaligned values, and rising employee turnover, highlighting the need for a cohesive, story-based approach to cultural integration.
Project Scope:
Unifying Teams Around Shared Values
The project focused on addressing the underlying cultural challenges resulting from rapid growth and acquisitions. Using a story-based framework, the initiative aimed to define shared values, improve communication, and create a culture that aligned teams while addressing retention and engagement challenges.
Key Initiatives:
Building a Cohesive Culture Framework
Purpose, Way, Impact Workshop & CultureTalk Surveys:
Conducted a comprehensive workshop alongside organizational and individual surveys to define the company’s higher purpose, identify cultural archetypes, and establish shared values across teams and locations.
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Culture Awareness Programs: Created materials to support employees in understanding and evolving cultural expectations, fostering greater alignment and collaboration.
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Accountability Plan: Executive leaders modelled four key behaviours through a structured accountability program.
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​Quarterly Culture Health Checks: Implemented ongoing surveys to measure progress and ensure alignment.
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Reward Gateway Platform: Integrated tools to track and reward culture alignment among teams.
Results & Impact:
Creating a Unified and Resilient Organization
Improved Collaboration: Teams across locations developed more substantial alignment through shared values and a common cultural language.
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Increased Employee Engagement: Participation in culture initiatives exceeded 40%, with growing involvement over time.
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Enhanced Communication: New feedback channels and transparency initiatives reduced conflicts and strengthened trust.
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Retention Gains: Improved alignment and recognition programs contributed to reduced turnover and higher employee satisfaction.
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Stronger Leadership Ownership: Leaders actively embraced accountability for driving cultural change, modelling key behaviours that inspired teams.
Conclusion:
Transforming Culture Through Stories
By leveraging a story-based cultural framework, the organization successfully unified its teams, improved communication, and fostered a sense of shared purpose. This transformation not only enhanced employee engagement and retention but also established a resilient culture ready to support future growth.
