Nothing but a facade

It’s amazing how one senseless decision by one person within a company would have a tremendous influence on changing your perception of that entire company. This is what we call a “Moment of Truth.” All it takes is a few seconds for the decision by one person to completely change the impression you are under, from a positive perception to a negative one.?

So many companies out there put a lot of effort into painting a very beautiful picture to influence people’s perceptions regarding their company, but unfortunately, for the most part, it turns out that most of that effort is directed only at looks.?So much emphasis is put on the fa?ade, the brick and mortar, the shiny glass windows, the marbled tiles, the mahogany furniture, the manicured landscape, the polished logo, and all the bla bla bla they boast about...?And to make it even more fake appealing, you will notice how company “values” and "slogans" are postered everywhere to be “seen.” Nothing but one cliché after another.

And then, you get slapped by bitter reality! One stupid and senseless decision and the positive impression you had regarding that company is changed for the worse. Yikes!!! This is where “company values” and “company culture” clash!?

Peter Drucker once said: “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” What a powerful statement that is indeed. Holly Molly...is that ever true!

So, my message to all decision-makers and senior managers out there; remember that your company’s reputation does not only revolve around the products or services it produces!?And, your company’s reputation does not only revolve around the beauty and looks of the structure.?That’s very nice and peachy to have indeed. But a company’s reputation is put to the test when people start interreacting with that company on a personal level...Human to Human. This is where they start wondering if they really have the right people in the right positions to start with.

Remember that every person working for your company, no matter what position they hold or what rank they’ve reached, every person in your company is an official representative…or better yet an ambassador for your company.?Just make sure that you always inspire and train your people to become the best ambassadors they can be for your company, whether they're there for just 2 days or 2 decades.?

As for the photo up there, that's just a random shot I took this past December for one of the buildings in New York City... YeeHaww :)