This Week's Herman Trend Alert

Nail-Painting Robot Coming
to a Salon Near You

 

  The Herman Trend Alert

October 28, 1998

Corporate Culture comes to the Forefront

Lately, we've seen the growing understanding of the importance of corporate culture, especially in the blending of diverse cultures in the merger process. Just as in a marriage of individuals, there must be a meeting of the hearts and souls, so too, in corporate marriages, there must be a meeting of the minds and hopefully, the hearts as well. (Yes, we believe corporations have "hearts," too!) Otherwise, ultimately no one is happy with the union.

Case in point, the recent breakdown in merger talks between American Home Products and Monsanto. The two CEOs, John Stafford and Robert Shapiro have remarkably diverse philosophies of leadership, remarkable in that their partnership conversations progressed to the point that they did before they broke down.

When Chase Manhattan with its heart centered, growth-oriented culture joined with Chemical Bank's fear-based, cover your gluteus maximus culture, something had to give. To their credit, the leaders recognized that Chase Manhattan's culture would serve them best in the long haul.

When Lou Gerstner took over IBM, he would not listen to anyone who uttered the word "culture." At the time, the best way to lose credibility with Gerstner was to use the "c-word." Within 2 years we're happy to report, he had gained a greater perspective and the understanding that if he were to lead IBM to a successful future, he would need to shift the culture. He did and IBM has prospered. IBM now has a more employee-centered culture: their people AND their customers are happier campers.

In evaluating merger potential, we predict the two corporations will take much more care to look at the "blending potential" ahead of time—before they invest time, money and energy to involve lawyers and stock markets. Two immovable cultures will not happy partners make.


© Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurist. 1.336.210.3548 or https://hermangroup.com. To sign up, visit https://HermanTrendAlert.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc."

HEAR JOYCE SPEAK TOMORROW AT 11:30 AM EDT
Tomorrow morning, Joyce will be a Fireside Chat Speakers at the Brightside Business Women Empowerment Virtual Conference where she will talk about how business women can use the insights from her new, groundbreaking book, EXPERIENCE RULES, to be successful. Register for FREE at https://brightsideglobaltrade.org/women.

GET COACHING FOR YOUR PEOPLE FOR LESS THAN $1/DAY!
Gain access to dozens of coaches for the same low price. Find out more by visiting https://ingomu.com/joyceg

JOYCE IS ON THE RADIO EVERYDAY NOW
To listen to Joyce's TV shows on the radio, simply visit RadioFutures.com. Joyce's show is streaming every day at 3:00PM Pacific Time.

To read this Herman Trend Alert on the web: https://hermangroup.com/alert/archive_3-29-2023.html.


Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers.

New subscribers are always welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is read by over 30,000 people in 90 countries, including other websites and printed periodicals. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert.

Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Herman Trend Alert service.


Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert
View this week's Herman Trend Alert
Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         


[ Home · About · Products · Resources · Media ]

 

7112 Viridian Lane
Austin, TX 78739
Voice: 336-210-3548
Toll Free in US & Canada: 800-227-3566
E-mail: info@hermangroup.com


  © The Herman Group. All rights reserved.

Web site design by WebEditor Design Services, Inc.