Why Marketing Strategies Need a Culture-First Approach

Throughout my career, I've noticed that culture is the "glue" that holds everything together and influences all aspects of an organization, from the way employees communicate and work together to the values they uphold. When culture and strategy are aligned, an organization is much more likely to achieve its goals.

"Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast" - Peter Drucker

"Culture eats strategy for breakfast" is a well-known phrase that emphasizes the importance of organizational culture in the success of a business. It suggests that no matter how well-thought-out a company's strategy may be if the culture is not aligned with it, it is likely to fail.

Businesses often focus on external factors such as market trends, product features, and competitors to develop their strategies - if any. However, they may forget to look inward and assess their internal capabilities and culture. This can lead to strategies that are not effectively implemented or that do not deliver the desired results.

A strong organizational culture supports the goals and values of the company and enables employees to work towards them effectively. It fosters a positive work environment and promotes collaboration, innovation, and accountability. On the other hand, a toxic or unhealthy culture can hinder the success of a business by causing low morale, high turnover, and poor performance.

Why aligning culture and strategy is a key driving factor for business success?

Culture and strategy are two crucial elements that drive business success. When they are aligned, it creates a strong foundation for marketing success and everyday business operations.

Research has shown that companies with a strong alignment between culture and strategy are more likely to achieve their business goals ??. However, achieving this alignment is not always easy.

That's where the McKinsey 7S Model comes in. This model is a framework that helps organizations understand and improve their effectiveness by looking at seven interdependent elements: strategy, structure, systems, shared values, style, staff, and skills.

The role of the McKinsey 7S Model in understanding organizational effectiveness

The McKinsey 7S Model is a widely used framework for understanding organizational effectiveness and aligning culture and strategy. Developed by McKinsey & Company consultants in the 1980s, the model looks at seven interdependent elements: strategy, structure, systems, shared values, style, staff, and skills. By examining how these elements work together, organizations can identify areas for improvement and develop strategies for aligning culture and strategy to drive business success.

In the realm of marketing operations, the 7S Model can be particularly useful in understanding how an organization's culture and strategy impact its ability to achieve its marketing goals. For example, suppose an organization has a strong customer-centric culture, but its marketing strategy is not aligned with this value. In that case, it may struggle to effectively reach and engage with its target audience. Similarly, if an organization has a clear marketing strategy, but its culture does not support collaboration and innovation, it may struggle to execute that strategy effectively to keep the business relevant.

The 7S Model has also been influential in the work of renowned business management theorists such as Philip Kotler and Michael Porter. Kotler, known as the "father of modern marketing," has incorporated the 7S Model into his teachings on marketing strategy and management. Porter, on the other hand, has used the model to examine how organizational effectiveness impacts a company's ability to compete in its industry. Overall, the McKinsey 7S Model is a valuable tool for understanding and improving organizational effectiveness, particularly in the context of marketing and business management.

How does a positive company culture lead to increased employee engagement and productivity?

A positive company culture is essential for increased employee engagement and business productivity.

When employees feel valued and supported by their organization, they are more likely to be motivated and committed to their work. A positive culture also promotes a sense of belonging and collaboration, which can foster a more positive work environment and drive innovation??.

As the famous quote by Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, goes: "Culture is to recruiting as product is to marketing." In other words, a strong company culture can be a powerful tool for attracting and retaining top talent. In the realm of marketing operations, this is especially important as a team of engaged and productive employees is key to executing a successful marketing strategy.

However, it's important to note that a positive culture alone is not enough to drive business success. It must be aligned with the organization's strategy and goals.

The dangers of ignoring culture in favor of a narrowly focused marketing strategy

Ignoring culture in favor of a narrowly focused marketing strategy can be dangerous for an organization. Without a strong foundation of shared values and behaviors, a marketing strategy is more likely to falter and ultimately fail. As the famous quote by management consultant Peter Drucker goes: "Culture eats strategy for breakfast." In other words, even the most well-thought-out strategy will struggle to succeed if it is not supported by a positive and aligned company culture.

In the realm of marketing, ignoring culture can have particularly negative consequences. If a marketing team is not aligned with the overall culture of the organization, it may struggle to execute its strategy effectively. This can lead to confusion, frustration, and ultimately, subpar results.

The role of leadership in shaping and maintaining company culture cannot be overstated.

Leaders set the tone for an organization and play a crucial role in defining its values and behaviors. By actively promoting and supporting a positive culture, leaders can create a strong foundation for marketing success and overall business success.

The role of leadership in shaping and maintaining company culture

As Jim Collins says "Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge." In other words, leaders have a responsibility to create a positive and supportive culture that aligns with the organization's goals and values. This includes regularly evaluating and adjusting the company's culture to ensure that it stays aligned with business goals and objectives.

The importance of regularly evaluating and adjusting your company's culture to stay aligned with business goals and objectives

Maintaining alignment between the company's culture and business goals is crucial for success. This can involve conducting surveys or focus groups to gather employee feedback and adjusting your values, behaviors, or systems as needed. By staying attuned to the alignment between your culture and business goals, you can create a strong foundation for marketing success and overall business success ??.

Therefore, it is essential for businesses to not only have a clear and well-defined strategy but also to ensure that their culture is aligned with it. This means regularly evaluating and adjusting the culture to support the implementation of the strategy and drive the desired outcomes. In short, culture should be a top consideration when developing and executing a business strategy.

Prioritize culture to achieve your business objectives!

Simple like that.