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We hear about it all the time in the work-life arena.  How can we achieve the oh-so desired engagement, retention and nail talent management?  Everyone says it’s not just about policies and programs.  In order to create workplaces that meet business needs and are more responsive to employees, we need to change culture.  But how to you do that?  It sounds so daunting!

Well, I found out about one success at a presentation that I attended at the 2008 WorldatWork conference called Making Flexibility a Strategic Lever for Corporate Growth.  Presented by Barbara Taylor of BDO Seidman and Cali Williams Yost, Joanne Spigner, and Donna Miller of Work+Life Fit, the presentation focused on how to move an organization – employees, leaders, managers – from a vision to culture change.  Using a strategically picked task force from all levels and business lines, they described their process of “building a shared vision,” and how to avoid “vision blockers.”   Their five “strategy innovation lessons” include:

1. compelling business case
2. early ownership up and across
3. patient (sometimes messy) process
4. key messages replayed relentlessly
5. non-traditional teaming

Great stuff!  Has your organization worked to achieve cultural change?  If so, how have you done it?  Are you stuck?  What are the challenges?

• Organizations , Policy , Workplace