Here is a question for the ages: “How can we create value for our organization from the bottom of the pyramid?”
The following is the SalesCooke response to this question found on LinkedIn.com.
The biggest problem with this question is reflected in the words “bottom of the pyramid”. This demonstrates a hierarchal view of the corporation. That alone is a big problem. Value based corporate culture is not hierarchal or autocratic. It is founded on innovative, highly motivated, and team oriented behaviors.
To create a corporate culture that adds value, the employees in the organization must feel truly empowered. Empowerment need not be a corporate buzzword. Rather, it is a commitment to the organizational team, regardless of their level, that they have the real ability to identify and develop innovative ideas and can implement change at any level. In progressive and innovative companies this is where value is developed and deployed.
Too often employees are not encouraged to engage and let their true value and ideas shine. In a fully empowered corporate culture, activities that foster creativity, innovation, and value are developed and encouraged at all levels. Take a look at the Google model. Everyone is expected to create and innovate, even to the extent that they set aside time to work on something not related to their day-to-day job. How is Google doing? This is how it works.
The problem with corporate America today is that most managers and executives do not understand how to provide leadership that empowers their employees. They are more focused on processes, controls, and authority. When these restrictive behaviors are deployed, they get in the way of progressive and innovative thought. An effective leaders eliminates these behaviors and encourages creativity and innovation. By freeing up the organization to think and process creatively, the company will develop and evolve in an innovative and value based manner. This is the type of culture that creates value at all levels.