Business cultures are changing. The days of top-down management styles and hierarchies are antiquated and have been traded in for autonomous management and collaboration. Some industries are slower to change than others. The ones who do opt to change are experiencing the benefits to their internal culture and brand. Here are some examples.
Technology Companies
Tech companies have largely been at the forefront of innovation in terms of their products and management culture. People like Eyal Gutentag at Lyft and Stacy Sullivan at Google have built corporate cultures that allow for innovation, special projects and employee perks while also blowing the lid off products and service delivery. These high-performance teams enjoy things like unlimited time off and food from a chef, but they churn out quality results at the same time.
Startup Companies
Many startup companies deploy a flat organization. This means that there is no real hierarchy and multiple layers of management. These organizational structures breed creativity and innovation and allow companies to reach the market, deliver quality products and grow quickly. The U.S. provides fewer barriers to entry for startup businesses than any place in the world, and it’s the organizational culture and ingenuity that breed the success the U.S. enjoys when it comes to startup businesses.
Diamonds in the Rough
Some companies shine in industries that aren’t known for their innovation and management structures. Southwest Airlines is a unicorn in a sea of stagnant airline companies where employees love their jobs and work-life is fun. ADP is a benefits provider, but its corporate culture has been recognized in several publications as they stand out from the crowd.
As companies grow, it can be challenging to maintain flat organizations. But successful companies can still be intentional about culture and creating a work environment where people are happy to come to work, give their best efforts and deliver tangible results.
