Cultivate Cultured Brands

By Phumeza Patra

Every brand and every product is conditioned and birthed through a specific culture of values, practices, beliefs and mindsets. It is not alarming though that every brand and product will produce after how it has been nurtured and embraced.

This book acknowledges the leaders’ responsibility to create and role model a culture that is consistent with their values and ensuring that everyone reflects such culture in both will and behaviour in context. The book covers eight principles critical for any culture, practice or conditioning to be successful, meaning it is embedded, sustainable and transferable. Covered in the book are also five key players in executing the cultural norms. The intent is in any platform that one creates an environment, from individual households,to collective structures like organisations and businesses; that those who impart and lead the brands, do so in a way that is influential and empowering to the recipients, participants and beneficiaries.

I trust this book will challenge some of our practices, which some may even be non-existent currently in our structures, which we use to engage our employees, educate the way things are done, and encourage the consistency and durability of such. May you be empowered and transform your own environment for the good.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Phumeza Patra
• Release date: May 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005981372

Book preview

Cultivate Cultured Brands

Cultivate Cultured Brands

C.U.L.T.U.R.E.D.

Phumeza Patra

Copyright © 2021 Phumeza Patra

First edition 2021

Published by Phumeza Patra Publishing at Smashwords

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.

The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.

Phumeza Patra

[e-mail]

Table of Contents

The System Called Culture

Introduction

1 Commit

2 Uniquify

3 Lead

4 Teach

5 Unite

6 Reward

7 Embrace

8 Dominate

9 Summary

References

The System Called Culture

This system called culture; so powerful yet few understand it

It is a symbol of worship, of obedience and of surrender, yet many take it for granted

When misunderstood or misapplied it always has long lasting consequences, yet some still mock it

Because few understand it, opportunities are lost as many follow blindly and are rendered powerless

A giant that has ruled organisations and nations since creation

A giant that has brought some leaders to their knees while others were elevated by it

A giant that has chased talent from some organisations while others have retained it

As powerful as it is, it remains invisible; as silent as it is, it has caused too much commotion to ignore

Where this giant is allowed to run loose with no purpose or accountability, it creates its own kingdoms — for better or for worse for those that meet it on the way

It has caused some to sell their authenticity and become clones

It has caused some to become chameleons and lose their uniqueness

It has changed others’ ingenuity into complacency

A great idea deserves punishment, but a bad imitation receives applause

Where this giant has been misplaced into manipulating systems, it replicates itself like a virus and becomes a syndrome

What matters most has become what is most palatable

It is no longer about multi-tasking, it is about multi facing

It is no longer about what you know but rather who you know

It is no longer about managing relationships but rather managing politics

When this giant is intentional and monitored, it enables the positives to come to life

The language becomes music to the ear; words of destruction are not heard

There is harmony in yielding results; chaos in processes is overtaken by order

The power is placed in the centre where it is shared, healing the leprosy of in-fighting

The betterment of the whole is prioritised more than singularity, defying unhealthy competition

When this giant is prioritised and measured, it produces a wave that brings people to life

Ego is replaced by Empathy, embracing people’s individuality

Autocracy is replaced by Democracy, embracing composite relationships

Heroism is overtaken by Teamwork, expanding recognition

Exclusion is replaced by Inclusion, expanding ownership

These are the principles that can secure this giant

C.U.L.T.U.R.E.D.

Introduction

The simplest definition of culture, though I do not know its source, is the way things are done around here. This statement makes perfect sense.

Thinking about it always brings a smile to my face because it reminds me of the story I heard of a newly wedded bride (umakoti). After the elder women had given her instructions on what to do and expect on her first day in her husband’s