Recently, I came across an article titled Creating a Culture of Information Management Excellence by the author of the Getting Information Done blog Russ Stalters. The concept of putting a heavy focus on information governance by incorporating it into company culture is intriguing.
In the piece, Stalters segments the notion of culture into three components: behaviors, symbols and systems of an organization. It’s a simple premise, as promoting good behavior in this sense involves the enforcement of storing electronic documents properly and following usage policies when using third-applications. The symbols bit is all about a solid belief system. Any company’s mission and values statement is a good starting point to fine tune what the organization truly stands for, in addition to increasing its market share.
Systems is analogous to tools, such as FAQs and how-to guides. But he warns against using technology to develop processes, such as checklists and training materials. However, I say that technology is the great enabler and should be used to assist whenever possible. Our entire company is built around software that facilitates processes to reduce the burden, and allow people to get back to work.
Information governance and it’s impact on employee satisfaction
I’ll close this piece by tacking on another proof point for including information governance in company culture: It can help increase employee satisfaction. I was recently reviewing a study on employee satisfaction rates and the reasons given for being content or dissatisfied with an employer ran the gamut between benefits, upward mobility and training resources. However, not much was mentioned on the everyday tools that facilitate productivity. And I think this is one facet of an organization where a company has a responsibility to ensure employees have what they need to succeed. Every other employee satisfaction variable is dependent on the job, position and industry. However, the proper tools and, of course, a guidebook that promotes proper usage in a relatable way, is a great foundation for a strong organization.