Episode Summary:
In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver answers a question about identifying a company’s true culture, whether as an investor, prospective employee, or vendor. He emphasizes the importance of going beyond a company’s marketing materials and mission statements to understand their genuine values and practices. By reviewing public documents, engaging directly with employees, and observing day-to-day operations, you can uncover the true essence of a company’s culture.
Key Takeaways:
- Review public documents, such as annual reports, for publicly traded companies to gain insight into their stated priorities and actions.
- Ask the company for access to employee surveys or feedback mechanisms to evaluate how they view the culture internally.
- Conduct interviews with employees and spend time observing the workplace to see how the culture manifests in real-life interactions.
- Firsthand observation in areas like lunchrooms or common spaces can quickly reveal the true dynamics of a company.
Notable Quotes:
- “Corporations do a fine job of defining themselves, but understanding their true culture requires digging deeper.”
- “If they’ll let you, interview some employees. Have a set of 10 or so questions that you just want answers to.”
- “Spend time there—you’ll see the culture very quickly by simply observing how people interact and perform.”
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