The idea that corporate culture starts at the top is also borne out by Waterstone's 2010 Canadian Corporate Culture Study, which showed that 90% of respondents feel current leadership has created their organization's culture. Indeed, leadership and culture are so tied together that Mr. Parker says an organization looking to change its culture may need to start with a new leader who doesn't carry any baggage.
Changing a corporate culture means changing the behavioural drivers, or the norms and acceptance of a handful of key behaviours, and it can't be done by simply swapping one leader for another. A company's internal systems, processes and its people also have to support any initiative. "Culture revolution and change is kind of like turning an aircraft carrier in the Welland Canal," says Mr. Parker.
While it's to be expected that large well-established companies such as Maple Leaf Foods, Desjardins Group and the Home Depot Canada have implemented a strong culture, a wide range of companies and organizations made this year's list including: Aeroplan LP, Blinds to Go Inc., Canadian Western Bank, Discount Car and Truck Rentals, Flight Centre, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) and Procter & Gamble Canada.
What stands out about the recipients also widely varies, says Mr. Parker. Procter & Gamble has "an incredible culture of rewarding and retaining" its people; HOOPP's employees are unified in their desire to deliver on the pension promise; and Home Depot recently implemented a Canadian-wide Customer First initiative to reflect the fact that the chain has substantially grown since it first opened in 1994 and customers are now more sophisticated.
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The companies were measured in five equally weighted categories: vision and leadership; cultural alignment, measurement and sustainability; rewards, recognition and innovative business achievement; corporate performance; and corporate social responsibility. The winners will be celebrated at a gala.
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THE HOME DEPOT CANADA
Annette Verschuren, president
The world's largest home improvement specialty retailer has more than 2,200 stores employing more than 300,000 employees and has been in Canada since 1994. Today, the Canadian operations have grown to include more than 170 retail stores and six distribution centres, with more than 27,000 full-and part-time employees across the country.
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