How culture silently influences and shapes organisational success

People and Change Associate with KPMG Advisory Services Linet Nyawira. [Courtesy]

In the dynamic landscape of modern business, organisations constantly strive to stay ahead of the curve, adapt to market changes, and maintain a competitive edge.

Technology and flexible strategies stand out in this quest for success. Even with all the focus on innovation and strategy, there’s a silent force that often gets overlooked but holds immense power – organisational culture. As Peter Drucker famously said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” 

The rapid evolution of technology has revolutionised the way businesses operate. From automation and artificial intelligence to data analytics and cloud computing, technological advancements have become indispensable tools for enhancing efficiency, streamlining processes, and unlocking new opportunities.

Organisations globally are implementing digital transformation initiatives to ensure they keep up with technological advancements.

On the other hand, flexible strategies have also emerged as a cornerstone of organisational agility. In an era of uncertainty and disruption, rigid, one-size-fits-all approaches no longer suffice.

Instead, organisations must embrace adaptability, continuously iterating their strategies to navigate changing market dynamics, customer preferences, and competitive landscapes. Organisation strategies are developed on organization culture and implemented through its support. 

While technology and strategy often take the spotlight, it is organisational culture that quietly shapes the foundation upon which these pillars are built. Organisational culture encompasses the shared values, beliefs, norms, and behaviours that define an organisation’s identity and guide its members’ actions. 

Organisational culture determines how employees perceive and embrace technological advancements and strategic initiatives.

Therefore, organisations should promote a culture that fosters innovation, collaboration, and experimentation. This should be supported by an environment where employees eagerly embrace new technologies and drive digital transformation initiatives forward with enthusiasm and creativity. 

Conversely, a culture that is resistant to change, characterised by fear, complacency, or distrust, only acts as a barrier to technological adoption and strategic flexibility.

Even the most cutting-edge technologies and well-crafted strategies will struggle to gain traction in such an environment, hindering organizational progress and stifling innovation. 

In the journey towards organisational excellence, technology and flexible strategies are indispensable allies.

However, it is the underlying culture that determines whether these efforts bear fruit or not. By acknowledging the critical role that culture plays and actively cultivating an environment that values innovation, resilience, and adaptability, organisations can unlock their full potential and thrive in the face of uncertainty and change.

This can be achieved by investing in cultural transformation initiatives and conducting regular culture surveys, ensuring that as the organisation adopts new technologies and strategies, its culture evolves to complement these changes. 

Culture, technology and strategy work in harmony to bring organisations towards success, enabling them to navigate the complexities of the digital age with confidence and agility.

As we embark on this transformative journey, let us remember that a harmonious integration of these three essential elements is crucial to an organisation’s success.

-The writer is a People and Change Associate with KPMG Advisory Services Ltd and can be reached at [email protected]. The views and opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of KPMG