{"id":880,"date":"2021-02-09T19:25:09","date_gmt":"2021-02-09T19:25:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/saasboomi.codecrane.com\/?p=880"},"modified":"2024-05-23T13:07:40","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T13:07:40","slug":"why-founders-should-shape-their-org-culture-from-day-zero","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.matsio.com\/matsio\/saasboomi\/saas\/community\/why-founders-should-shape-their-org-culture-from-day-zero\/","title":{"rendered":"Why founders and startups need to mindfully shape their org culture from Day Zero"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b77e732 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"b77e732\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c83045 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"5c83045\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5c7529 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor is-mac\" data-id=\"a5c7529\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n<p>A group of people working together to assemble office furniture\u2014a simple enough task, but when the group is the newly-forged team of a newly-launched startup, something as simple as putting together furniture gets infused with profound meaning. In fact, it can be the freshly sowed seeds of organisational culture\u2014getting things done and not waiting around for others to do the task. As this \u2018first principle\u2019 gets reinforced over time in the seemingly small acts and decisions taken by founders, team leaders and others, it becomes a part of the company DNA, a part of\u00a0how things are done here.<\/p>\n<p>When every action, decision, and choice that a founder takes right from the beginning of a <a href=\"https:\/\/saasboomi.org\/saas\/marketing\/playbook-on-how-to-build-a-startup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">startup\u2019s journey<\/a> directly or indirectly shapes the organisational culture, how can founders mindfully build it? Is that at all possible and is it important? That\u2019s what I attempt to decipher here.<\/p>\n<p>The assembling-office-furniture anecdote is a real-life example that Anand Jain, Co-founder of SaaS-based customer lifecycle management and mobile marketing company CleverTap, shared with me. \u201cIn the early days we operated out of a two-bhk in Mumbai. When we ordered furniture, the furniture company slotted the assembly a week after delivery. But we, the early team members, wanted to do it then and so we assembled it all, tables, chairs and bookcases, ourselves. We loved it. We did it together. We had a sense of accomplishment. We didn\u2019t wait around,\u201d Anand recalled.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f98acab elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"f98acab\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d38eae elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"3d38eae\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63c0274 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image is-mac\" data-id=\"63c0274\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n<div id=\"attachment_1939\" style=\"width: 630px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1939\" class=\"wp-image-1939 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.matsio.com\/matsio\/saasboomi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/anand-jain.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"620\" height=\"464\" \/ loading=\"lazy\" ><p id=\"caption-attachment-1939\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Anand Jain, Co-founder at CleverTap<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-edb8c89 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"edb8c89\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e9ee12c elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"e9ee12c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e92eb9d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor is-mac\" data-id=\"e92eb9d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n<p>This inclination to taking ownership and getting things done has remained with CleverTap even as it has scaled. Today, \u2018be urgent and take initiative\u2019 is one of the six values that CleverTap expects its team members to live by.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a4497e elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"6a4497e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b85626 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"5b85626\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a962393 elementor-hidden-phone elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading is-mac\" data-id=\"a962393\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. Culture = Performance<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b59f74c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"b59f74c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2feb8de elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"2feb8de\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a541547 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor is-mac\" data-id=\"a541547\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n<p>Every founder and HR head I speak to regarding culture agrees that an organisation\u2019s culture has a direct impact on growth and business deliverables.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cAt the end of the day, culture is all about how we work together. It has a very direct impact on performance. Culture is not just about how you treat people. It manifests itself in how you behave as a company. If you truly want to be a world-class company, culture needs to drive this,\u201d says Suman Gopalan, Chief HR Officer at SaaS Unicorn Freshworks.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0081d0f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"0081d0f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3120c35 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"3120c35\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-598548d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor is-mac\" data-id=\"598548d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n<div id=\"attachment_1940\" style=\"width: 1290px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1940\" class=\"wp-image-1940 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.matsio.com\/matsio\/saasboomi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/pasted-image_Suman-Gopalan.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" \/ loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.matsio.com\/matsio\/saasboomi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/pasted-image_Suman-Gopalan.png 1280w, https:\/\/dev.matsio.com\/matsio\/saasboomi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/pasted-image_Suman-Gopalan-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1940\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Suman Gopalan, Chief HR Officer at Freshworks<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91c02b1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"91c02b1\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e8e4d3f elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"e8e4d3f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1fbe1ac elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor is-mac\" data-id=\"1fbe1ac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n<p>Most importantly an organisation\u2019s culture sets the tone and pace of how employees there work together. We define certain companies as \u2018aggressive\u2019, others as \u2018people-focused, and still others as \u2018hierarchy-driven\u2019. These descriptors are derived from the working style of an organisation, which is nothing but its culture.\u00a0\u00a0But, why has organisational culture become such an important talking point for founders and HR functions now? Just think of how companies have changed and transformed over the years. In an earlier era and in more traditional industries, hierarchy, top-down decision making, and following set processes were valued. That\u2019s not the case today.<\/p>\n<p>Tech companies thrive on innovation, on creatively using technology to solve challenges in ways that have not been done before.<\/p>\n<p>For that to happen the organisation of today needs to be very different from the models of the past. We have seen tech majors globally, like Apple and Google, making their \u2018new style of working\u2019 an important part of business strategy. A lot of this new style was a matter of happenstance and experimentation.<\/p>\n<p>Culture was considered as something that evolved organically over a few years, with the \u2018pathways\u2019 the founders, leaders and employees of a startup used most commonly to interact, to collaborate and to get work done becoming the only trodden \u2018roads\u2019. But, in recent years founders are flipping this. They are as mindful about culture as they are about product right from the start.<\/p>\n<p>Amit Mishra, Founder and CEO of skills assessment platform iMocha, in fact says culture is what is \u201cmost important\u201d. He says if the right culture isn\u2019t internalised \u201cculture will eat strategy for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91f819c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"91f819c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f54d279 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"f54d279\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50df386 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image is-mac\" data-id=\"50df386\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n<div id=\"attachment_1941\" style=\"width: 424px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1941\" class=\"wp-image-1941 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.matsio.com\/matsio\/saasboomi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Screenshot-2021-03-25-at-7.29.03-PM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"414\" height=\"630\" \/ loading=\"lazy\" ><p id=\"caption-attachment-1941\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Amit Mishra, Co-founder &amp; CEO of iMocha<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a02d98e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"a02d98e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8682575 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"8682575\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9853037 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor is-mac\" data-id=\"9853037\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f549ae elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"0f549ae\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e182e98 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"e182e98\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-455f2b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor is-mac\" data-id=\"455f2b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n<p>There is a universality to the most desired features in today\u2019s product-tech companies.\u00a0 Openness, transparency, ownership, readily voicing opinions and ideas, working with full commitment towards common goals even in situations of disagreements, aggressiveness in terms of results, humility in interpersonal interactions\u2014these are some of the oft-repeated values or principles, with minor variations, that we hear. The hope is that such a culture fosters innovation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>But, how do companies ensure all employees imbibe these values?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>While each startup and founder has their own \u2018methods\u2019, I realised during my conversations with founders and HR professionals that a few common points stood out.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ebfcfbb elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"ebfcfbb\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2585c01 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"2585c01\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f2a1727 elementor-hidden-phone elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading is-mac\" data-id=\"f2a1727\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">It all starts with the founder. A startup\u2019s culture is a reflection of the founder\u2019s personality. In the early days when the founder is the source code of everything to do with a startup, it isn\u2019t surprising that the organisation almost becomes an extension of the founder(s).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a00355 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"4a00355\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d50edd9 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"d50edd9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1e7d89 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor is-mac\" data-id=\"d1e7d89\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n<p>\u201cIn the early stage, a company takes on the characteristics of the founders. If founders are slightly acerbic then the company culture becomes like that. As the leadership team evolves, so does the culture with the working styles of the new leaders also becoming a part of the culture,\u201d says Niraj of Hiver.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c7cbc8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"7c7cbc8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d2f09b elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"6d2f09b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3efabc5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image is-mac\" data-id=\"3efabc5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n<div id=\"attachment_1942\" style=\"width: 469px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1942\" class=\"wp-image-1942 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.matsio.com\/matsio\/saasboomi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Screenshot-2021-03-25-at-7.34.31-PM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"459\" height=\"280\" \/ loading=\"lazy\" ><p id=\"caption-attachment-1942\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Niraj Ranjan Rout, Founder &amp; CEO at Hiver<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-275f467 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"275f467\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0fee301 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"0fee301\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f248a4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor is-mac\" data-id=\"0f248a4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n<p>Founders need to pay close attention to the values and principles they are projecting right from the early days. Further, founders need to consider the new working styles senior hires bring to the table. What works for the startup needs to be soaked up and what is detrimental needs to be cut down before it takes root.<\/p>\n<p>Even after a company scales and moves from the early-stage to growth stage and beyond, the behaviour of the Founder or CEO remains critical. \u201cCulture starts with the Founder\/CEO, because ultimately how you shape culture is how you shape behaviour. People look up to the leader and he or she is the biggest ambassador of culture. They have to live it and founders have to be mindful of it,\u201d says Suman of Freshworks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03be118 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"03be118\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b2e539d elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"b2e539d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c266fce elementor-hidden-phone elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading is-mac\" data-id=\"c266fce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Define your values and principles<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c18f021 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"c18f021\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-888da83 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"888da83\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44b9101 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor is-mac\" data-id=\"44b9101\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n<p>In the early days, as founders focus on product, market, customers, sales and strategy, culture gets put on the backburner. Or the thought is that the team will understand what behaviour is prized and what isn\u2019t. But, between the focus on scale and rapid growth and the minutiae of daily micro-decisions, the values and first principles get forgotten or ignored, especially when they have never been articulated.<\/p>\n<p>If a new senior hire has a very different style of working from the norm, how do you decide whether it \u2018fits\u2019? To get this understanding\u2014what works and what doesn\u2019t\u2014it is necessary for the founders to have a clear idea of what culture they definitely want to encourage.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn about 18 to 24 months our team grew from around 15 people to 100. It was at this stage, when we were going through team expansion, that we sat down and clearly defined what our culture stood for. We had this conversation on how conflict needs to be handled, how feedback should be given, especially how positivity needs to be used while providing feedback and other such points. These conversations are important,\u201d says Niraj.<\/p>\n<p>Hiver has a clear set of values it lives by, but does not really have a document listing this out. Others like Freshworks and CleverTap have a set of values that are documented and reinforced in multiple ways, from being put on office walls to being part of training programmes. Whichever method you choose, saying out loud the principles on which the startup will be built is absolutely necessary.<b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7b1976 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"c7b1976\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-645eac0 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"645eac0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9e252f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image is-mac\" data-id=\"d9e252f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n<div id=\"attachment_1943\" style=\"width: 503px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1943\" class=\"wp-image-1943 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.matsio.com\/matsio\/saasboomi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Screenshot-2021-03-25-at-7.37.37-PM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"493\" height=\"333\" \/ loading=\"lazy\" ><p id=\"caption-attachment-1943\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The CleverTap team in the days before pandemic-led work-from-home<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dda27a4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"dda27a4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d93c564 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"d93c564\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-12bbbc2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor is-mac\" data-id=\"12bbbc2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n<p>To a certain extent, the company\u2019s values or principles are a codification of the founder\u2019s personality or what he\/she prioritises. When founders cannot be part of every discussion or be in every meeting room, the values should stand in their stead and inform the employees on what is the right thing to do or the right way to achieve a task.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d97492 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"0d97492\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7127d81 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"7127d81\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c09e4b7 elementor-hidden-phone elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading is-mac\" data-id=\"c09e4b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. Culture is part of business<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32b2bc2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"32b2bc2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fbbfda8 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"fbbfda8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-994224a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor is-mac\" data-id=\"994224a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n<p>Culture is not about what employees do when they are not working. At the risk of repetition, it is about how employees get work done. It is in the day-to-day interactions and communication, it is in how decisions are made and communicated, it is in how a team member is hired or even let go, and it is in how critical feedback is provided.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8068c8e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"8068c8e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24bcc13 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"24bcc13\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af9fcc1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image is-mac\" data-id=\"af9fcc1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n<div id=\"attachment_1944\" style=\"width: 499px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1944\" class=\"wp-image-1944 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.matsio.com\/matsio\/saasboomi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Screenshot-2021-03-25-at-7.39.38-PM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"489\" height=\"304\" \/ loading=\"lazy\" ><p id=\"caption-attachment-1944\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A meeting in progress at the Hiver office, in pre-Covid days<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd9faf5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"fd9faf5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-110385c elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"110385c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59db0b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor is-mac\" data-id=\"59db0b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n<p>Values or principles are not really about morals or even ethics. While they may be derived from ethics or morals, an organisation\u2019s values and principles need to be linked to business. The values should be able to act as guides when an employee needs to make a business decision or a choice.<\/p>\n<p>For instance, one of the six values CleverTap extols is \u2018be humble and seek to learn\u2019. On its own, it may seem removed from business. But, the intent is to ground decision making and communication in humility. This helps minimise conflict. \u201cWe have been growing very fast and we are very aggressive in terms of growth and targets. But we are very humble in our day-to-day interactions. The message from the co-founders is clear, it is fine to be demanding performance, but no one has the right to not be humble,\u201d says Prashant Parashar, Chief Human Resources Officer at CleverTap.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af53f3a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"af53f3a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-08ed4ea elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"08ed4ea\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-545a8be elementor-widget elementor-widget-image is-mac\" data-id=\"545a8be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n<div id=\"attachment_1945\" style=\"width: 355px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1945\" class=\"wp-image-1945 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.matsio.com\/matsio\/saasboomi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Screenshot-2021-03-25-at-7.38.37-PM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"345\" height=\"524\" \/ loading=\"lazy\" ><p id=\"caption-attachment-1945\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Prashant Parashar, Chief Human Resources Officer at CleverTap<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f866a4f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"f866a4f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aed68ef elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"aed68ef\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b2f1e5c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor is-mac\" data-id=\"b2f1e5c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n<p>It is particularly important, from the product-tech startup perspective, to link values to fostering product thinking and innovation.<\/p>\n<p>For instance, at Hiver, transparency is an important value. Niraj explains that it is expected that any employee should be able to explain why they took a specific decision. If a colleague had made a feature request on Slack and if that feature has not been included, then the Product head is expected to give clear reasoning on why that decision was taken. \u201cWhen everyone is accountable, it leads to positivity and productivity. There is a visible and direct impact on the product, as what to build and what not to build is well thought out because we are all answerable,\u201d says Niraj.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8fad812 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"8fad812\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c40c85 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"9c40c85\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a78eaf elementor-hidden-phone elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading is-mac\" data-id=\"6a78eaf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4. Culture needs constant tending<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b084604 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"b084604\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5991976 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"5991976\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-051cd3d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor is-mac\" data-id=\"051cd3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n<p>Putting up the stated values on the walls of the office is not enough. \u201cCulture is not inherited, it is learnt. You consciously build and create culture. People come from different backgrounds, so what you consciously do, communicate and practise daily that is what becomes your culture,\u201d says CleverTap\u2019s Prashant. Anand adds that culture needs to be reinforced.\u00a0The point is culture is almost invisible\u2014culture is acted out and sometimes it is in the little things. Like, taking a team member aside to give negative sounding feedback in private and offering guidance and mentorship so they improve.<\/p>\n<p>Aakanksha Gaur, Senior Manager-People at Wingify whose flagship product is used to optimise digital customer experience, says that culture has a short-term memory. \u201cCulture has to be supported by rituals. Culture is an emergent set of behaviours that arise out of people with a shared set of beliefs that are strengthened over time by repetition (rituals),\u201d says Aakanksha, who is on a sabbatical right now.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f13ce0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"4f13ce0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e6c67ba elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"e6c67ba\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60159b9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image is-mac\" data-id=\"60159b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n<div id=\"attachment_1946\" style=\"width: 469px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1946\" class=\"wp-image-1946 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.matsio.com\/matsio\/saasboomi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Screenshot-2021-03-25-at-7.40.16-PM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"459\" height=\"618\" \/ loading=\"lazy\" ><p id=\"caption-attachment-1946\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Snapshot from the Wingify team outing to Phuket in Thailand in 2019<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c39d52 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"5c39d52\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0033632 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"0033632\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9b0ed58 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor is-mac\" data-id=\"9b0ed58\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n<p>She explains how people are at the heart of Wingify and this is reflected in the company\u2019s decisions. For instance, the company took the initial team of less than 10 people to an all-expenses-paid year-end trip to Goa. This ritual continued in 2019 even when the team grew to 200. Similarly, the company was among the first in the country to announce WFH when the first cases of Covid-19 were reported in the country in early-2020. It also announced a specific Covid-linked leave policy and an allowance to set up a work-from-home space. In fact, Wingify has also declared its intention to remain a remote-first organisation even after the pandemic.<\/p>\n<p>This need to keep reinforcing values is repeated by others. iMocha\u2019s Amit shares that the company makes a conscious effort to ensure their culture of \u2018work happy\u2019 is being practised. \u201cWe have a fortnightly culture meeting named \u2018mocha forum\u2019 to discuss this openly and transparently\u2026It (work happy) is a conscious choice. I strongly believe at iMocha, professional journey and destination both should be enjoyable, rewarding, and celebrative,\u201d says Amit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d8fe583 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"d8fe583\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8493a62 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"8493a62\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-468a2c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image is-mac\" data-id=\"468a2c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n<div id=\"attachment_1947\" style=\"width: 504px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1947\" class=\"wp-image-1947 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.matsio.com\/matsio\/saasboomi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Screenshot-2021-03-25-at-7.39.49-PM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"494\" height=\"370\" \/ loading=\"lazy\" ><p id=\"caption-attachment-1947\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">iMocha employees taking part in Yoga Day<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64ac001 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"64ac001\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5b6e9b elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"e5b6e9b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c0ce528 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor is-mac\" data-id=\"c0ce528\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d3693b5 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"d3693b5\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd139db elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"bd139db\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c53eb95 elementor-hidden-phone elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading is-mac\" data-id=\"c53eb95\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">5. Culture needs to be selective<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1801a61 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default elementor-section elementor-top-section\" data-id=\"1801a61\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a4aea04 elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column\" data-id=\"a4aea04\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-158b875 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor is-mac\" data-id=\"158b875\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n<p>When negative behaviours or character traits go hand in hand with bad performance the founders do not face any doubts on what to do. But what happens when a high performer who is getting results, at least in the short term, is exhibiting behaviours that do not fit the values of the company?\u00a0This is one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/saasboomi.org\/saas\/build\/mistakes-of-my-startup-with-srikrishnan-ganesan-of-rocketlane\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">biggest challenges a founder will face<\/a>\u2014how does a startup deal with \u2018brilliant jerks\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0The consensus, unsurprisingly, is that it is best to nip such behaviour in the bud. When such behaviours are tolerated or ignored, it causes friction in the short term and negative impact on business in the long term. What\u2019s worse is this undesired behaviour can become part of the company culture if left unchecked. However, we have seen numerous instances of such individuals getting tolerated and even celebrated in many companies, which goes to show how tough a decision it is to rein in such behaviour.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI have learnt the hard way that cultural fit is more important than short term results. In the industry, brilliant jerks may bring results but they rub people the wrong way. When such behaviour is tolerated, it shows that culture is not as important for the company as is being said. That sends the wrong message. Culture is sacrosanct. I would let those guys go quickly. You are doing a disservice to your company by letting things slip or tolerating behaviour that does not meet your values. From a business perspective, it is important that the stars be team players,\u201d says Anand of CleverTap.<\/p>\n<p>In the final analysis, culture should be as important as a business strategy right from the start. As Suman of Freshworks says, \u201cDon\u2019t let culture happen to you. It is not an aspirational poster. It is your DNA; it is how you work together and it manifests as behaviours and norms. Just like DNA is a part of you when you are born, culture starts from day zero.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A group of people working together to assemble office furniture\u2014a simple enough task, but when the group is the newly-forged team of a newly-launched startup, something as simple as putting together furniture gets infused with profound meaning. In fact, it can be the freshly sowed seeds of organisational culture\u2014getting things done and not waiting around [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":883,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[85],"tags":[65,80,90],"chapters":[],"class_list":["post-880","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-operations","tag-culture","tag-hr"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Organizational culture: A priority for founders and startups<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover why organizational culture is crucial for startups. Learn how prioritizing culture from the start fosters sustainability.&quot;\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Organizational culture: A priority for founders and startups\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover why organizational culture is crucial for startups. Learn how prioritizing culture from the start fosters sustainability.&quot;\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/dev.matsio.com\/matsio\/saasboomi\/saas\/community\/why-founders-should-shape-their-org-culture-from-day-zero\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BoomiAI\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-02-09T19:25:09+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-05-23T13:07:40+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/stg-saasboomiorg-staging.kinsta.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Radhika_Blog_800x400-1.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"801\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"401\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Aghosh Babu\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.matsio.com\/matsio\/saasboomi\/saas\/community\/why-founders-should-shape-their-org-culture-from-day-zero\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dev.matsio.com\/matsio\/saasboomi\/saas\/community\/why-founders-should-shape-their-org-culture-from-day-zero\/\",\"name\":\"Organizational culture: A priority for founders and startups\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.matsio.com\/matsio\/saasboomi\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.matsio.com\/matsio\/saasboomi\/saas\/community\/why-founders-should-shape-their-org-culture-from-day-zero\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.matsio.com\/matsio\/saasboomi\/saas\/community\/why-founders-should-shape-their-org-culture-from-day-zero\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/dev.matsio.com\/matsio\/saasboomi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Radhika_Blog_800x400-1.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-02-09T19:25:09+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-05-23T13:07:40+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.matsio.com\/matsio\/saasboomi\/#\/schema\/person\/599bd267728850db33c2b96d2c468b06\"},\"description\":\"Discover why organizational culture is crucial for startups. 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