Redefining Culture and navigating Change

In early 2020, right before the world went into lockdown, we at LMK Group (now re-named as Cheffelo) faced a game-changing event. We merged GodtlevertGruppen from Norway and Linas Matkasse from Sweden, effectively doubling our size and transforming into an international entity almost overnight. With the upcoming merger with Ret Nemt from Denmark in 2021, it was crystal clear that our expanded team needed to develop a shared culture and identity.

Growing from 150 to 500 employees, and merging 3 companies within 2 years, well, that's like mixing several different ingredients in one pot. You need to stir it just right to get a delicious stew and not a hot mess. So, we started a project to create a common cultural framework.

We kicked things off with surveys, workshops, and discussions, inviting every employee to contribute. We firmly believe that culture isn't something you dictate from the top. It's something everyone contributes to, a mosaic of shared experiences and aspirations. #bettertogether

Taking all this feedback, we identified recurring themes and values, which formed the backbone of what we now refer to as "The Compass," our cultural framework. It's made up of our purpose statement, strategic focus areas, and three key cultural components:

1 "We are better together"

2 "We challenge the status quo"

3 "We take pride in what we do"

These aren't just slogans; they're guidelines, supported by specific behaviors we encourage among our team.

The Compass was introduced during a comprehensive digital event in summer 2021. But, we knew that launching The Compass was just the starting point of our journey. To really bring it to life, we needed to embed it into our everyday operations.

So, we developed "The Compass Toolkit", a set of 15 exercises to help managers align their teams with our new culture. We also introduced a unique language that incorporated elements of The Compass (are you noticing the hashtags?). It may have felt a bit awkward at first, but it's now a natural part of our daily communication, reinforcing our cultural values every step of the way. #challengingthestatusquo

To track our progress, we updated our Employee Survey to include questions about our culture, values, and The Compass. We saw significant improvements in our culture-related scores, which was a promising sign that we were on the right track.

To recognize those who embody The Compass, we introduced "The Compass Employee of the Year" and "The Compass Team of the Year" awards. The entire process was another opportunity for us to reflect on and celebrate our shared culture. #takeprideinwhatwedo

Today, Cheffelo is characterized by a sense of unity and shared purpose, guided by the values of The Compass. As the project leader, I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished together, and this wouldn't have been possible without the help from the fantastic team at People Heart Business.

As our journey continues, I am excited for the new challenges and opportunities on the horizon. Culture is more than just a concept; it's the soul of our organization. It influences our collective journey and is a testament to our past achievements, present unity, and future aspirations. Here's to the lessons we have learned, the paths we have charted, and the adventures that still await.