PhonepayPlus is the UK government regulator for premium telephone services. In a fast-moving, technically agile industry, service regulation is always challenging. In order to achieve the organisation’s focus of protect, pre-empt and prevent, a culture which promotes innovation and agility is essential.
There were three strands to this assignment; firstly to provide PhonepayPlus with a better understanding of their current culture, secondly to identify the behavioural changes necessary to achieve the preferred culture and finally to obtain buy-in from staff through a workshop.
The culture audit showed clearly how current behaviours were driving and shaping performance. By identifying the preferred culture, it was possible to complete a gap analysis – by making a comparison with the current culture. This provided the focus for change management activities.
A very clearly expressed desire was found at all levels of the organisation for a future culture which placed equal emphasis on people and getting the job done - a constructive culture which would sit very well with the organisation’s mission.
The workshop provided staff with a much better understanding of the PhonepayPlus culture and its implications for them personally and for the organisation. The link between behaviour and culture was established and emphasis was placed on personal responsibility. Individuals were equipped with powerful self-development resources to help and support them in making the necessary behavioural changes. The fact that the preferred culture had been identified by staff increased their engagement in the process.
Gail Weightman, Head of Human Resources
PhonepayPlus
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