3 Culture Tips From Team DetroitBrianna Booker

About Team Detroit★Recently renamed GTB

★Headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan and founded in 2007

★ 49 global offices across 6 continents

★Clients include Ford Motor Company, Johnson Controls, Ohio Art, and Purina

Article Overview ★ Team Detroit was awarded in May of 2015 for their

unique positive business practices. ★ Manager of business Intelligence Christopher

Jimenez gives tips on how to improve work culture○ Create a Recognition System○ Committee based culture initiatives ○ Dedicate time to researching culture

Tip #1Creating A Recognition System

★ At Team Detroit, they believe in providing recognition to all employees.

★ The have established a platform called YouEarnedIt

○ It's a formal, public channel for you and your teammates to recognize each other

○ Removed barriers for praising employees ○ Allows for a more personable approach

...More About YouEarnedIt!YouEarnedIt is an online platform where employees throughout the company are recognized for accomplishments such as, coming up with great ideas or making deadlines on certain projects, When you are recognized you earn points, These points can not only be redeemed to earn prizes, but can also be re gifted to fellow coworkers when you want to recognize them for something they have done.

Tip #2Committee Based Culture Initiatives

★ Creating committees within the organization○ The Positive Incentive Committee is one committee

formed○ They believe forming these committees makes the

organization stronger as a whole ○ Committees empower employees to work together

to solve problems

Tip #3Dedicate Time To Research Culture★ Having a Passion for Culture

○ Researching what other successful companies are doing and trying it out at their organization

○ Recognizing what does and does not work○ Accepting employee feedback and using it

Culture at Team Detroit

Deal & Kennedy’s “Strong Culture”

Team Detroit is definitely a company that has a strong

culture. They follow Deal and Kennedy’s ideas on a what it takes to have a strong culture

completely

VisionTeam Detroit doesn't have

distinct core values listed out there have some quotes they

want people to associate with their organization.

★If it's interesting, we’re interested

★We cultivate a culture of what’s next

★We’re always close by

★If we see a path to progress, we take it

Heroes Satish KordePresident and CEO of Team Detroit

Satish is responsible for combining several different agencies together and making them into Team Detroit.

cont...Because the company has not been around long, there isn't a definite hero as of yet. But Satish definitely strikes as a potential candidate in the next 10-15 years.

Rites and Rituals

Team Detroit Hosts several events throughout the year celebrating internal and external successes. This has become a tradition within the company and helps create and maintain relationships with customers and members of the organization.

Communication Systems

YouEarnedIt

This online database is a prime example of how Team Detroit values communication. This allows for feedback to be given and received among anyone belonging to the organization.

Analysis

Deal & Kennedy would definitely categorize Team Detroit as having a “Strong

Culture”. They continuously put forth effort in revitalizing their

culture. They know that the company is constantly

changing and wants to always maybe sure the culture is

fitting for these advancements.

What about Peter and WatermanIn terms of “Excellent Culture” Team Detroit also is in line with Peter and Waterman.

★One of the main themes in this organization is with Autonomy and Entrepreneurship.

○ They celebrate all new ideas from employee and promised to explore these ideas to see where it takes them.

★Productivity Through People is another theme at Team Detroit○ They encourage positive and respectful relationships among employees and

management, YouEarnedIt is the best example of this theme. An outlet where not only is management allowed to give recognition, but also fellow employees.

Questions★How is conflict among teams in this organization?

★How and when are employees evaluated?

★Is there a channel in which employees can speak with managers about suggestions, if so what are they ?

★What is the average time length employees stay with this company?

★Are the cultures in all 49 offices consistent? If so how does that work?

★Is there room for employees to grow within the company?

Suggestions Overall I think Team Detroit would be a a great company to work for. The fact that they keep culture a priority, shows me how much they value their customers and their employees. It seems as though the YouEarnedIt program has been successful but it does seem to have some flaws. It could posses a negative response if some are being recognized more often than others. This program is public so everyone in the company can see. Having an award ceremony seems more fitting, maybe even an employee of the week could eliminate these possible flaws.

Why work for Team Detroit?I can definitely see myself working for Team Detroit. I love the fact that they have employees whose sole purpose is to maintain the culture of the company. This shows me that employee satisfaction is extremely important to them. It makes me wonder how else they cater to their employees. I know their office is filled with shiny paint and arcade games and this is something that I think is important in maintaining the sanity of employees. Of course there are always changes that could be made to improve, but I believe Team Detroit is on the right track.

Works CitedMiller, Katherine. Organizational Communication: Approaches and

Processes. Belmont (CA): Thomson/Wadsworth, 2003. Print.

Wenger, Garrett. "3 Culture Tips from Team Detroit." Newmind Group. N.p., 05 Jan. 2016. Web. 10 Oct. 2016.