There are a number of common factors that always influence culture, and you should consider each of them when determining what will be the best one to enhance your career and provide the environment for you to be successful.
Structure – the ownership of a company will often influence the mindsets and values of the people within the organisation.
- Government
- Private
- Not For Profit
- Publicly Listed Company
Performance – most organisations experience different business cycles at different times. Opportunities are often greatest with organisations that are in a period of growth and development. Assess whether an organisation is in a period of:
- Growth
- Plateau
- Decline
Size – values and behaviours that drive culture can be influenced by the size of an organisation. Consider what size of organisation you are best suited to:
- <30 staff
- <100 staff
- <500 staff
- >1000 staff
Industry – participating in an industry that you are excited and passionate about can be very rewarding and fulfilling.
Vision – an organisations vision should provide guidance on the strategy, values and purpose of the company. To be effective, a vision must be “authentic” and accurately reflect the behaviours of the organisation and its people.