Organizational Culture

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 Ok, so they are not the ONLY factor in company culture, but they are quite important!! Rituals can vary widely depending on the company's culture, goals, and the nature of its work, but they could look something like this: 👥 𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝-𝐮𝐩𝐬: A brief daily meeting where team members share their priorities for the day and any obstacles they might be facing. This ritual fosters transparency, accountability, and collaboration. 🎉 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐥𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐬: A weekly gathering, either virtual or in-person, where employees share their achievements from the week, no matter how small. This practice encourages recognition and appreciation among team members. 🎯 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: A monthly meeting dedicated to reflecting on the past month's successes and challenges and setting intentions or goals for the upcoming month. This ritual can help in continuous improvement and goal alignment. 🥗 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬: Regularly scheduled sessions where team members come together to share knowledge, skills, or insights, often over lunch. These can include internal presentations, guest speakers, or group discussions on relevant topics. 🎂 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬: Establishing rituals around celebrating birthdays, work anniversaries, or significant milestones. These can range from simple acknowledgments to more elaborate gatherings, emphasizing the value of each team member. 🧘♂️ 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬: Starting meetings with a minute of silence, deep breathing, or a short mindfulness exercise to center the group and reduce stress. The most effective rituals help to bring people closer. They are shared experiences, which help people to bond. If you look around, you might see that you have some rituals in place already. Consider the bonding that happens...and whether it could be strengthened. 🤔 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 👉 Always take into account diverse backgrounds and needs. 👉 Ensure chosen rituals align with the desired culture 👉 Make rituals visible and recognized within the organization 👉 Encourage active participation from all team members 👉 Rotate responsibilities for leading or organizing the rituals 👉 Decide on a regular schedule and stick to it 👉 Be open to making adjustments based on feedback By thoughtfully designing and implementing shared rituals, organizations can strengthen team bonds, enhance communication, and cultivate a positive and cohesive workplace culture 🚀 What rituals support a positive culture in your organization? Share your experiences below 🙏 #rituals #habits #workplaceculture #culture #culturematters #routines #positiveworkenvironment #positiveworkculture Image source: https://lnkd.in/e_zGe_WQ Image credit: Shane Snow

The best teams aren’t the ones with the most talent. They’re the ones that know how to work across differences. In 1939, Viola Spolin—the inventor of theater games, the foundation of improvisational theater—faced a tough challenge: how to bring together a group of kids from different racial and cultural backgrounds who didn’t trust each other. And they did not speak the same language. She had been hired to teach theater, but rehearsals were filled with misunderstandings, silence, and tension. Instead of lecturing or forcing collaboration, she turned theater into a game. She had the kids mimic a moving train, mirroring each other's movements and sounds. Slowly, their self-consciousness faded. They started to work together, laugh, and connect. Spolin wasn’t just teaching theater. She was solving a problem we still struggle with today: how to unlock the potential of diverse teams. Here’s the paradox: Diverse teams have more perspectives, ideas, and creativity—but they also face more misunderstandings and conflict. Diverse teams perform better if they manage differences well. But when differences aren’t embraced, teams struggle. Spolin’s approach offers clues for turning diversity into an advantage: (1) Shift the focus from individual performance to collective experience. Spolin’s games weren’t about individual talent—they were about working together. Similarly, in teams, when we move from “Who’s right?” to “How can we build on each other’s ideas?”, collaboration improves. (2) Create shared moments of connection. Spolin’s games helped kids focus on doing rather than their differences. We can do the same in our teams by designing rituals—structured ways to connect and engage, like brainstorming sessions where every voice is heard. (3) Embrace discomfort. Spolin’s kids didn’t trust each other at first, and that’s normal. Diverse teams feel more friction—but that’s actually a sign they’re thinking critically, not just going along with the status quo. The key is to stick with it. Spolin’s students started out unsure and disconnected, but through play, they learned to work together and create something meaningful. When we find ways to connect—not despite our differences, but because of them—collaboration becomes easier and more powerful. [Learn more about Viola Spolin here: https://lnkd.in/eXsZ8XJy] #team #collaboration #learning #leadership #connection #work #play #differences #diversity #conflict

Desi Atomic Habit Tip #9: Master the Art of "Jugalbandi" in Business "Ek se bhale do, do se bhale teen." (Two are better than one; three are better than two.) In the world of Indian classical music, jugalbandi creates magic through collaboration. In business, this principle can lead to unprecedented innovation and growth. Let's explore how to create harmony in our professional partnerships. Actionable Steps for Entrepreneurs & Young Professionals: ✅ Identify Complementary Skills: Look for partners whose strengths balance your weaknesses. Diversity breeds innovation. ✅ Establish Clear Rhythms: Set regular check-ins and brainstorming sessions. Like in music, timing is everything in business collaborations. ✅ Practice 'Yes, And' Thinking: Build on your partner's ideas instead of dismissing them. This fosters creativity and mutual respect. Here's how I've applied jugalbandi in my entrepreneurial journey: 👉 Implemented a digital transformation strategy, bringing our traditional business model into the online space, resulting in a 40% growth in the first year. 👉 Launched an industry-first initiative that addressed a common customer pain point, expanding our market reach and setting new standards in customer service. 👉 Initiated monthly 'jugalbandi sessions' where team members from different departments collaborate on solving complex problems. 🎯 Result: Enhanced innovation, expanded network, and created a culture of collaboration that has become our company's signature strength. Your Jugalbandi Challenge: This week, reach out to someone with a skill set different from yours - perhaps in a different department or even a different industry. Schedule a 'jugalbandi session' to tackle a current challenge you're facing. How has the principle of jugalbandi enhanced your professional journey? Share your collaborative success stories below! Stay tuned for more entrepreneur-focused insights in the Desi Atomic Habits series! #DesiAtomicHabits #CollaborativeInnovation #BusinessPartnerships #EntrepreneurialMindset #InnovationThroughCollaboration #ThursdayThoughts #Entrepreneurship #GrowthMindset #Leadership #Teamwork #BusinessStrategy #CreativeProblemSolving

Z is for Zeitgeist  The last in my Architecture AI A-Z series. Zeitgeist is German and means "the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time." We live in an extraordinary time, using AI to produce images that are only otherwise possible with hours of labour via 3D architectural visualisation. It's also a time of climate crisis and although that doesn't solely lie with architects, the profession has a huge influence on what is or isn't built. I've involved AI in these last renders of the series and more than Midjourney. ChatGPT and I have collaborated on this. It acted as consultant and client. It introduces the project, having seen 10 of the 20 images here. I haven't edited the text. A full verbatim output from the process, will be available in a separate document later this coming week. -- "Z is for Zeitgeist" embodies the spirit of Berlin, a city that has long stood at the crossroads of history and modernity, tradition and innovation. This project is a visual and architectural representation of Berlin's current cultural and environmental ethos, reflecting a collective consciousness that values sustainability, community, and forward-thinking design. The buildings presented in the project are a manifestation of Berlin's unique character, where the preservation of green spaces and the promotion of a sustainable lifestyle are paramount. Each visual narrative within the series tells a story of integration—of natural materials with urban forms, of private sanctuaries within public realms, and of individual expression within a community tapestry. Berlin was chosen as the locus for this project not by chance but with purpose. The city’s history of reinvention and its ongoing evolution make it the perfect canvas for a development that seeks to capture the zeitgeist. Berlin's commitment to environmental innovation and its thriving cultural scene provide the ideal backdrop for buildings that are designed to serve not just as structures, but as habitats that enrich lives and foster connections—both human and ecological. The architectural designs showcased here are more than mere structures; they are embodiments of an era that calls for responsibility to the planet and to each other. They stand as testaments to the possibility of a built environment that harmonises with nature, prioritises well-being, and champions the sustainable ethos of our time. In "Z is for Zeitgeist," Berlin's spirit is captured in wood, glass, and greenery—a symphony of elements that resonate with the city’s heartbeat and reflect a global movement towards mindful urban living. This project, then, is not just about creating spaces but about curating experiences that resonate with the cultural and environmental narratives of our time, where every curve, corner, and crevice tells a story of belonging—to a city, to the Earth, and to the future. -- #sustainablearchitecture #UrbanZeitgeist #BerlinInnovation

Pop culture is the biggest missed opportunity in business. Too many companies are caught up in the latest tech and products, overlooking one of the most powerful forces for growth right in front of them: pop culture. Take the recent buzz around Universal Music Group's Taylor Swift and National Football League (NFL)'s Travis Kelce’s relationship or Activision Blizzard's Overwatch 2’s collaboration with K-pop artists. These aren’t just headlines—they’re case studies in cross-pollinating with culture to reach new audiences. While some brands are still struggling to find their voice in the digital world, others are tapping into cultural currents, creating emotional connections, and capturing the attention of millions. Why aren’t more companies following suit? Gary Vaynerchuk has it right: pop culture is underestimated. Brands don’t have to create entire fan bases from scratch—they can connect with the ones already thriving in music, sports, and gaming. It’s about understanding where your audience already spends their time and blending your message seamlessly with the things they love. Here’s why every company should consider pop culture partnerships: Reach people where they already are: Pop culture is mainstream culture. By connecting with trends, brands can organically become part of conversations that are already happening. Create emotional resonance: Aligning with cultural icons, like Taylor Swift, or subcultures, like K-pop, taps into the loyalty and passion of fans, building connections that last. Stand out in a crowded market: Tech and products come and go, but cultural moments stick. Brands that integrate pop culture build memories that differentiate them from competitors. The takeaway? Get in the mix. Don’t let your brand stand on the sidelines when there’s a whole world of cultural opportunities waiting. What are your thoughts on brands leveraging pop culture? Drop your thoughts and questions below!

A few years ago, a well-known international speaker was invited to deliver a keynote in Japan. Confident in her usual energetic and interactive style, she started her speech by asking the audience to “raise their hands if they agreed” with her opening statement. Silence filled the room, and not a single hand went up. She was shocked—had she offended them? Later, she learned that in Japanese culture, public displays of agreement like hand-raising can feel intrusive or inappropriate. The audience wasn’t disengaged—they were just being respectful in their way. Another common misstep? A speaker in the Middle East opened with a humorous anecdote about gender roles. What she thought was lighthearted humor fell flat and even offended some in the audience because it clashed with deeply held cultural values. These weren’t bad speakers. They were just unprepared for the cultural context. Here’s how to avoid those mistakes and connect meaningfully with any audience: 1️⃣Learn audience norms ↳ Do they prefer formal interaction or casual engagement? ↳ Adjust your delivery style accordingly. 2️⃣Adapt your content ↳ Use examples, idioms, or stories that resonate with their experiences. ↳ Avoid assumptions that might alienate the audience. 3️⃣Show respect through preparation ↳ Mention something specific about their culture or language. ↳ It builds instant rapport and shows you care. 4️⃣ Understand cultural sensitivities ↳ Topics like humor, politics, and gender might need careful navigation. ↳ Research what’s considered respectful or inappropriate. Speaking isn’t just about delivering your message. It’s about ensuring your audience receives it. Do your cultural homework, and you’ll not just speak—you’ll connect. Have you ever witnessed a cultural misstep in a speech? #PublicSpeaking #CulturalAwareness #EffectiveCommunication #GlobalSpeaker #CrossCulturalConnections #SpeakWithImpact #AudienceEngagement #SpeakerTips #ProfessionalSpeakers #CulturalSensitivity

Luxury isn’t about how expensive something looks. It’s about how deeply it makes you feel at home. I’ve spent 27 years building hotels across India. From quiet backwater stays in Kerala to palace-style resorts in Rajasthan. I’ve seen the industry chase polished sameness thinking that’s what guests want. But here’s what I’ve learned. People don’t remember perfect service. They remember moments that feel real. Let's say you are in Jaipur, 2023, two hotels opened just weeks apart. The first one was a global chain near the airport. It had chrome fittings, a buffet labeled "continental," and a heritage tour with a pre-recorded voice. The second was a restored haveli in the walled city. It had hand-blocked bed linens from local artisans, Jaisalmer stone floors, and walking tours led by a local historian. The staff shared folk stories and even taught guests basic Rajasthani phrases. That haveli could charge 40 percent more per night. And based on insights from heritage hotels, we could easily predict a 75% occupancy People didn’t come just for a room. They came for a feeling. A story. A sense of belonging. 82 percent of Indian travelers under 40 say they’ll pay more for culturally rooted stays. Hotels that serve local food and experiences earn 30 percent more from non-room revenue. Still, we see chains applying cookie-cutter SOPs in places that deserve better. Imported furniture in places known for handcrafted woodwork. If you're building in hospitality, here’s how you can create more connection: ✔️ Replace generic decor with regionally crafted design ✔️ Let your team speak in the local language proudly ( Even if not all, tech few phrases to others, make the guest feel that its their second home ) ✔️ Create micro-experiences based on your location’s real stories ✔️ Hire cultural insiders, not just marketers ( for ex- A kathak artist as your tour guide for the hotel ) ✔️ Treat design like storytelling, not just styling In 2025, real luxury isn’t sterile. It’s personal, emotional, and deeply local.

Are you ready to loose your customers to more forward-looking competitors who have their finger on the pulse and successfully decipher the community code? Or would you rather win be winning over the hearts and minds of your target audiences and the communities they make up? Then understanding the new Marketing Zeitgeist is a must! Whereas marketing used to be about the loudest voice, the shiniest most polished look, the biggest media spaces / share of voice, product centric communication, make believe, ... times have and are drastically changing. The successful marketing of today & tomorrow is above anything else about connecting to the right people and communities, about relevance & resonance, realness & authenticity, people stories, about a targeted nuanced approach and being present in the right places. It is about being represented by amplifying brand advocates around the community 'campfires'. It is all about building influence, and capitalizing on that to fuel growth. Some tips to get started being into the new marketing Zeitgeist: 👀 Understand your audiences and communities more in depth - note that communities are much more than 'personas'; being a community requires shared values and beliefs, interaction, influencing, physical and digital spaces where interaction and experience exchanges takes place, and much more. 💬 Make sure to establish dialogue with those communities in order to understand them and connect, focus on engaging your communities and delivering impactful brand(ed) / brand-enabled experiences. 🙍♂️ 🙍♀️ 👱♀️ 👨⚖️ ... Have your message carried out via trustworthy voices, using the power of advocacy, weaving those stories together into a compelling storyline that allows people to truly understand who you are as a brand, and what you stand for. Narrators can include employee ambassadors, influencers, senior management, customers (UGC), partners, ... among others. Storyscaping is a new way forward here. 🌐📍Make sure to plug in the right channels and platforms so your brand is represented at those community campfires where actual influence and impact is generated. 🚀 Understand which voices and influential factors, as well as channels, are relevant at which stages of the customer decision and relationship building process and make a nuanced strategy accordingly > Focus there and when the effect is tangible. 👄 Stay on track with on-going dynamic movements and trends on all levels to stay relevant in the digital world. 💫 Stimulate self perpetuating advocacy further with your communities as a way to boost your ROI and establish a growth culture based around people and real connections. When established successfully such an influence driven upward spiral can propel your brand to levels - there is no uplifting factor stronger than community and advocacy especially when it is cultivated to start growing on its own with minimum level of direct brand involvement and feeding!

As experiences become increasingly valuable to hotel guests, the need to infuse immersive local experiences into hospitality has never been more crucial. Today, simply handing guests a bunch of pamphlets with local tourist spots and offering amenities that meet global standards of premier hospitality is no longer enough. Millennial and Gen Z travelers seek more. They want to experience the local culture, learn something new, interact with locals, and build profound, genuine connections with the places they visit. As we build new properties, we must think beyond just creating top-notch facilities. The hotel itself needs to live and breathe the cultural fabric of the city it inhabits. Here is how hotels are incorporating local experiences for their guests: • 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: Hotels are making significant efforts to reflect the local culture through design. Local artisans are often commissioned for artwork, and regional furniture styles are incorporated in a way that enhances the guest experience without compromising comfort or practicality. • 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀:  Hotels are increasingly focusing on regional cuisine, not just offering it as a part of the menu but also incorporating it into guest experiences. Some properties host cooking classes, food tours, or market visits, allowing guests to engage with local ingredients and culinary traditions. • 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀:  Many hotels now offer activities that immerse guests in local traditions. This could include inviting local musicians or dancers for performances, organizing artisan workshops, or curating guided tours that showcase the city’s hidden gems. • 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲:  Hotels are investing in training their staff to be ambassadors of the local culture. Employees, particularly those in direct contact with guests, are educated about local traditions, cultural landmarks, and authentic experiences to share. While these are some ways hotels are enhancing the immersion of guest experiences, there are many other opportunities to further accentuate these efforts. What other ideas or strategies do you think hotels could implement to elevate this experience for guests? #GuestExperiences #CulturalExperience #Hospitality #HotelIndustry

A hotel CFO showed me how their 45-room independent property generates 67% higher EBITDA margins than established brands in their market. When I discovered their secret advantage, it completely challenged everything I thought I knew about hotel profitability... 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐭. While chain hotels rely on brand recognition and marketing budgets, this property discovered that guests today don't just book accommodations—they're investing in authentic local experiences that larger brands simply cannot replicate. Three experience-driven revenue principles that transformed their financial performance: • 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐮𝐦 – Curating hyper-local partnerships (local artisans, hidden restaurants, exclusive experiences) creates 35% higher willingness to pay compared to generic amenities • 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐫 – Offering "locals-only" recommendations and connections generates ₹4,200 additional ancillary spending per guest, with 73% requesting extended stays • 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 – Guests who feel they've discovered something unique spend 42% more on property services and generate 3x more social media mentions than chain hotel guests A struggling 28-room property in Kerala implemented this local-first strategy. Within four months, their average daily rate increased 31% while occupancy rose to 89%. Most remarkably, their direct booking percentage jumped from 23% to 78%, eliminating OTA dependency. The breakthrough insight? Independent hotels aren't competing on amenities—they're selling irreplaceable local access that no chain can authentically provide. Most surprising discovery: Properties achieving the highest local-experience revenue aren't hiring expensive consultants—they're building genuine relationships with their community and positioning themselves as cultural bridges rather than just accommodation providers. 𝐈𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥, 𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞—𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥? #IndependentHotels #LocalExperience #RevenueStrategy #HospitalityInnovation #AuthenticTravel #BoutiqueHospitality