Corporate culture explored at IB Think Tank

From the pages of In Business magazine.

Most of you have heard the phrase “Culture eats strategy for breakfast,” but have you actually taken steps to evaluate your own corporate culture? Countless research studies have been done on corporate culture and its relationship to company performance, and most have revealed that a company’s culture is vital to productivity and performance.

With this in mind, I’m excited to announce a new IB “Think Tank” event featuring local business experts who will share their insight and lead thought-provoking discussions about today’s changing corporate culture.

This all-day event will be broken into six teaching/discussion sessions:

• Defining the Changing Workforce: Scott Lesnick, an author and generational expert, will set the stage by helping us understand the five generations that comprise today’s workforce and what must be done to keep everyone motivated and engaged.

Perks and Pitfalls of the Remote Workforce: Sasha Truckenbrod, branch manager for Robert Half in Madison, will share insight on managing remote work environments while maintaining cohesion and accountability.

• Opportunities for Community Engagement: Dan Rashke, CEO of Total Administrative Services Corp., will draw on first-hand experience to show how strong community involvement can have a measurable impact on company success and employee retention.

• Strategies for Diversity and Inclusion: Angela Russell, director of diversity and inclusion at CUNA Mutual Group, will address how organizations can overcome challenges to implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives and ensure that all employees feel connected and engaged.

• How to Implement a New Corporate Culture: Steve King, executive director of the Center for Professional and Executive Development at UW–Madison, will outline steps to implement a new corporate culture, including how to align your team with corporate visions and goals.

• Balancing Culture and Compliance in Your Company Handbook: Jack Williams, general counsel at The QTI Group, wraps it up with cultural items to consider for your employee handbook.

We’ve also built in plenty of opportunities for participants to share ideas and provide feedback, including a luncheon with small-group discussions on various cultural topics.

IB’s inaugural Think Tank will be held on Wednesday, May 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery. Limited seats are available, so we’re restricting the event to executive-level positions (VP level or higher, and human resources executive titles). Tickets are $199 including lunch and refreshments, but we’re also offering a discount to IB readers. Go to IBMadison.com/ThinkTank to register and enter LEADINGOFF into the discount code at registration to take $50 off of your ticket fee.

We believe a strong culture is a business best practice, and we look forward to seeing you at the IB Think Tank.

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