LESSON PLAN

English for Placement Purposes

Name of Teacher : Faculty Name.

Subject Code / Subject :U17ENP2501/ English for Placement Purposes
Course / Branch : All B.E / B.Tech Courses
Topics : Introduction to Corporate Culture
Duration : 55 Minutes

I. Objective:

 To define and explain the various elements of corporate culture

 Participate in common corporate scenario

II. Planned Content:

 Prime Content/ Skill: Nuances of Corporate Culture

 Materials: Videos, Photos and Prepared Text
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO2vNyBroco) – It’s all about Culture-What is
Corporate Culture
 Reference: - www.belowthesurface.cc
- https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7g-BLzjEbXU – Duke University
- https://faculty.mu.edu.sa/public/uploads/1360757023.3588organiza
tional%20cult98.pdf

III. Procedure:

A. Ice Breaker: (Duration: 3 minutes)

 The lesson begins by writing the term 'corporate' on the board and asking students to
define it collaboratively. Students will likely pull from examples they have seen in their
lives or in popular culture. All pertinent information is written on the board.

The Key Words would be

 Corporate
 Attitude
 Handshake
 Negotiation
 Contract
 Attire
 Body language
 Integrity
 Team Spirit
 Common values
 Belief system
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English for Placement Purposes

B. Acquisition: (Duration 30 minutes)

I. Definition of Culture:

The sum of attitudes, customs, and beliefs that distinguishes one group of people from
another – Dictionary.com
ORGANIZATIONAL
Corporate Culture - What is it?
 Culture is the collective beliefs, values, and actions organizational members use to pursue
a company’s mission.
 Culture is the glue that holds everything else together.
 Culture permeates every aspect of your organization.

Organizational Culture - Is it really that important?

 Culture isn’t just part of the game - culture is the game!
 Enduring companies have clear missions and clear values.
 Without cultural alignment, your strategy is just a plan on a piece of paper.
 Culture is the only competitive advantage your competition can’t easily copy.

Organizational Culture – How is it cultivated?

YOU DON’T PULL IT OUT OF HAT

“Your beliefs become your thoughts. Your thoughts become your words. Your words
become your actions. Your actions become your habits. Your habits become your values.
Your values become your destiny.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
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English for Placement Purposes

 Every human organization creates a unique culture.

 Culture is the collective wisdom that comes from lessons people learn when they adapt
and survive over time.

Sources of Culture
 Beliefs, values and assumptions of founders
 Learning experience of group members
 New beliefs brought in by new members/leaders
 (The first one is by far the most important)

Based on the Ice-berg analogy, Explanation of what Corporate Culture means,

in terms of

a) Norms & Behaviour

b) Values and Attitudes
c) Beliefs and Assumptions
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English for Placement Purposes

Four Types of Corporate Culture:

According to Robert E. Quinn and Kim S. Cameron, at the University of Michigan, there are
four types of cultures:

 Clan-oriented cultures are family-like, with a focus on mentoring, nurturing, and

“doing things together.”
 Adhocracy-oriented cultures are dynamic and entrepreneurial, with a focus on risk-
taking, innovation, and “doing things first.”
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English for Placement Purposes

 Market-oriented cultures are results-oriented, with a focus on competition,

achievement, and “getting the job done.”
 Hierarchy-oriented cultures are structured and controlled, with a focus on efficiency,
stability and “doing things right.”

“Building an appropriate organizational culture adds value to any organization,” said NCU
professor, Steven Munkeby, PhD. “By defining the climate or culture, an organization’s
leadership defines what is valuable to the organization.” There isn’t necessarily one culture
that is better than another. Different personalities will thrive in different environments and
different cultures will create certain business realities. For example, adhocracy leads to
breakthrough change, while hierarchy leads to smaller, slower change.

“An organization’s leadership establishes the organization’s character, enforces policies,

educates, rewards ethical conduct, and eliminates the ethical issues of a worker’s
environment,” explained Munkeby. “Additionally, the organization’s selection of its cultural
values is responsible for ensuring that worker behavior produces valuable services and
products for society.”

Corporate culture starts with leadership and, according to Munkeby, the most demonstrable
example of culture is one where the leader is true to his/her principles all the time, not just
when it is convenient. The way the leadership acts and treats employees forms the backbone
of culture and determines if employees buy into it.

Acknowledging that organizational culture is an important aspect for space planners, an

overview of four organizational culture types is presented herewith:

Control (hierarchy),

Compete (market),

Collaborate (clan), and

Create (adhocracy).

“Collaborate (Clan)” Culture “Create (Adhocracy)” Culture

An open and friendly place to work where
people share a lot of themselves. It is like an
extended family. Leaders are considered to
be mentors or even parental figures. Group
loyalty and sense of tradition are strong.
There is an emphasis on the long-term
benefits of human resources development
and great importance is given to group
cohesion. There is a strong concern for
people. The organization places a premium
on teamwork, participation, and consensus.
A dynamic, entrepreneurial, and creative
place to work. Innovation and risk-taking
are embraced by employees and leaders. A
commitment to experimentation and
thinking differently are what unify the
organization. They strive to be on the
leading edge. The long-term emphasis is on
growth and acquiring new resources.
Success means gaining unique and new
products or services. Being an industry
leader is important. Individual initiative and
freedom are encouraged.
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English for Placement Purposes

“Control (Hierarchy)” Culture “Compete (Market)” Culture

A highly structured and formal place to A results-driven organization focused on job

work. Rules and procedures govern completion. People are competitive and
behavior. Leaders strive to be good goal-oriented. Leaders are demanding, hard-
coordinators and organizers who are driving, and productive. The emphasis on
efficiency-minded. Maintaining a smooth- winning unifies the organization. Reputation
running organization is most critical. and success are common concerns. Long-
Formal policies are what hold the group term focus is on competitive action and
together. Stability, performance, and achievement of measurable goals and
efficient operations are the long-term goals. targets. Success means market share and
Success means dependable delivery, smooth penetration. Competitive pricing and market
scheduling, and low cost. Management leadership are important.
wants security and predictability.
Video Played: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO2vNyBroco) – It’s all about Culture-
What is Corporate Culture
(Duration: 7 minutes)

C. Practice / Testing: (10 minutes)

Formulate Your Values

Ask yourself and your peer group:
- What values are most important to you?
- What values do you need in order to realize your mission?
- What are the most important values for business success?
- What values will you look for in employees?
- What could never be tolerated?

Translate Your Values

We live the value of collaboration by:
“Always putting the customer before the company, the company
before the team, and the team before ourselves.” - Zappos
“Always making each other look good!” – Pixar

D. De-briefing: (Duration: 5 minutes)

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English for Placement Purposes

E. Assignment: (Take Home)

Based on the Ice-berg analogy, trace down the Corporate Culture of an MNC of your
choice, in terms of

a) Norms & Behaviour

b) Values and Attitudes
c) Beliefs and Assumptions