VOICES: MATT MCCARTY
VOICES: MATT MCCARTY
Listening is crucial. What are [employees] finding on the ground? How are they seeing the change?
> operating, making the blending of cultures a delicate process, which can alienate employees and customers alike. Clario took this opportunity to bring together the best of both worlds—but achieving this required careful planning and execution. Matt explains the importance of co-creation in this process: "We were very keen to ensure that customers still came first and that employees could see clearly and transparently what was happening." Rather than imposing one culture on the other, Clario involved both companies in the creation of the new organization’s values, processes, and strategies. This was not just about rebranding but about uniting people. "Making sure we had representation from both organizations—whether that was early on in defining the values or thinking about the process and decision- making—was critical," Matt adds. This approach allowed employees to feel like active participants in the transformation, rather than passive observers. It also helped mitigate some of the anxiety that often accompanies M&As, where employees may be concerned about job security. Cultural integration was further facilitated by a clear communication strategy. Employees were kept informed of strategic decisions, ensuring they felt included in the journey. By doing this, Clario was able to avoid alienating employees and, in turn, the potential impact on customers. MANAGING CHANGE WITH ALIGNMENT For cultural transformation to be truly successful, purpose must extend beyond the boardroom and be properly aligned in the organization. As Matt notes, "Most initiatives that are dreamt up in the boardroom and cascaded out corporately don’t tend to have the impact you want. So how do you take your entire team on that journey?" Small steps toward change are often more effective than attempting a dramatic, wholesale transformation. "How do you show you’re making progress? Show the reality of change incrementally," he says. Moreover, cultural integration is not a one-time event; it requires an ongoing effort. Matt stresses the importance of listening to employees during the process. "Listening is crucial. What are they finding on the ground? How are they seeing the change?" By maintaining an open line of communication and being willing to adjust as needed, leaders can ensure that cultural transformation remains aligned with the company’s goals and the employees’ realities.
> Read the Clario case study
38 Brandpie CEO Report 2024 A pivotal moment for purpose
Brandpie CEO Report 2024 A pivotal moment for purpose 39
brandpie.com
brandpie.com
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online