Flevy Management Insights Q&A
How can companies ensure that restructuring efforts do not dilute their core values and culture?


This article provides a detailed response to: How can companies ensure that restructuring efforts do not dilute their core values and culture? For a comprehensive understanding of Restructuring, we also include relevant case studies for further reading and links to Restructuring best practice resources.

TLDR Organizations can maintain core values and culture during restructuring by prioritizing Transparent Communication, engaging Employees in the process, and reaffirming Core Values and Culture post-restructuring.

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Before we begin, let's review some important management concepts, as they related to this question.

What does Transparent Communication mean?
What does Employee Engagement mean?
What does Reaffirming Core Values mean?


Organizations often face the challenge of undergoing restructuring efforts without compromising their core values and culture. This delicate balance is crucial for maintaining employee morale, customer loyalty, and overall brand integrity during times of change. Here, we delve into strategies that can help organizations navigate restructuring while preserving their foundational elements.

Communicate Transparently and Consistently

One of the most critical steps in ensuring that restructuring efforts do not dilute an organization's core values and culture is through transparent and consistent communication. Leaders should articulate the reasons behind the restructuring, how it aligns with the organization's core values, and what it means for the future. According to McKinsey, organizations that prioritize transparent communication during restructuring see a 25% higher employee engagement rate than those that do not. This involves not just one-way communication from the top down but encouraging an open dialogue where employees can express concerns and ask questions. By doing so, organizations reinforce their commitment to their values, such as trust and respect, during periods of change.

Moreover, consistent communication helps in managing rumors and misinformation that can often accompany restructuring efforts. It ensures that all employees receive the same information and understand the organization's direction, further aligning them with the core values and culture.

Real-world examples include companies like Starbucks and Cisco, which have been praised for their transparent communication strategies during restructuring. They utilized various platforms, including town hall meetings, internal webinars, and direct communications from leaders, to ensure their messaging was clear and consistent.

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Engage Employees in the Restructuring Process

Another effective strategy is to actively engage employees in the restructuring process. This can be achieved by involving them in decision-making processes or in roles that allow them to contribute to the restructuring efforts directly. Such involvement not only makes employees feel valued and respected, reinforcing core values like inclusivity and collaboration, but also ensures that the restructuring process benefits from a wide range of perspectives, safeguarding the organization's culture.

Employee engagement can take various forms, from feedback surveys and workshops to participation in focus groups or task forces aimed at specific aspects of the restructuring. According to Deloitte, organizations that engage their employees in change initiatives are 30% more likely to maintain or improve productivity during periods of change.

Companies like Google and Zappos have successfully maintained their unique cultures through significant changes by involving employees at all levels in the restructuring process. These organizations have utilized cross-functional teams and open forums to ensure that the restructuring efforts are in line with their core values and culture.

Reaffirm Core Values and Culture Post-Restructuring

After the restructuring process, it is crucial for organizations to reaffirm their core values and culture. This can be achieved through various initiatives that reinforce the importance of these elements in the new structure. For instance, revisiting and possibly revising the organization's mission statement and value proposition to reflect any changes can help in realigning employees and stakeholders with the core values and culture.

Leadership plays a pivotal role in this phase by modeling the behaviors and attitudes that reflect the organization's values and culture. According to Bain & Company, leadership alignment with an organization's core values is one of the top predictors of successful restructuring outcomes. Leaders should also recognize and reward behaviors that exemplify the organization's values, further embedding them into the new structure.

Organizations like IBM and Hewlett-Packard have demonstrated the importance of reaffirming core values post-restructuring. Through leadership initiatives, internal campaigns, and continuous learning programs, they have successfully navigated significant restructuring efforts while preserving their distinctive cultures.

In conclusion, restructuring efforts do not have to come at the cost of an organization's core values and culture. By prioritizing transparent and consistent communication, engaging employees in the restructuring process, and reaffirming core values and culture post-restructuring, organizations can navigate these challenging times while maintaining their identity and integrity.

Best Practices in Restructuring

Here are best practices relevant to Restructuring from the Flevy Marketplace. View all our Restructuring materials here.

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Explore all of our best practices in: Restructuring

Restructuring Case Studies

For a practical understanding of Restructuring, take a look at these case studies.

Operational Excellence in Healthcare: A Restructuring Strategy for Regional Hospitals

Scenario: A regional hospital is undergoing restructuring to address a 20% increase in patient wait times and a 15% decrease in patient satisfaction scores, with the goal of achieving operational excellence in healthcare.

Read Full Case Study

Cloud Integration Strategy for IT Services Firm in North America

Scenario: A prominent IT services firm based in North America is at a crucial juncture requiring a strategic reorganization to address its stagnating growth and declining market share.

Read Full Case Study

Turnaround Strategy for Telecom Operator in Competitive Landscape

Scenario: The organization, a regional telecom operator, is facing declining market share and profitability in an increasingly saturated and competitive environment.

Read Full Case Study

Restructuring and Transformation Initiative for a High-Tech Electronics Manufacturer

Scenario: A multinational electronics manufacturer is grappling with declining profits, market share, and productivity due to outdated operational structures and processes.

Read Full Case Study

Organizational Restructuring for a Global Technology Firm

Scenario: A global technology company has faced a period of rapid growth and expansion over the past five years, now employing tens of thousands of people across multiple continents.

Read Full Case Study

Telecom Firm Reorganization for Market Leadership in Broadband Services

Scenario: The organization is a prominent broadband services provider in the telecom sector facing market saturation and increased competition.

Read Full Case Study

Explore all Flevy Management Case Studies

Related Questions

Here are our additional questions you may be interested in.

How is the rise of remote and hybrid work models impacting reorganization strategies?
The rise of remote and hybrid work models is reshaping reorganization strategies, necessitating changes in Organizational Structures, Talent Management, and Operational Efficiency and Innovation, guided by insights from leading consulting firms and market research. [Read full explanation]
How do you measure the success of a turnaround strategy, and what key performance indicators (KPIs) should companies focus on?
Success of a turnaround strategy is gauged through Financial, Operational, and Market-Driven KPIs like Revenue Growth, Profit Margins, Cash Flow, Inventory Turnover, Customer Satisfaction, and Market Share, aligning with strategic goals for sustainable growth. [Read full explanation]
What are the implications of insolvency proceedings on a company's operational continuity?
Insolvency proceedings disrupt an organization's Operational Continuity, necessitating shifts in Strategic Planning, impacting Stakeholder Relationships, and requiring comprehensive Operational and Financial Restructuring to mitigate negative effects and potentially emerge stronger. [Read full explanation]
What impact do emerging technologies like AI and blockchain have on the efficiency and effectiveness of turnaround strategies?
Emerging technologies such as AI and Blockchain significantly enhance Turnaround Strategies by improving efficiency, effectiveness, and stakeholder trust, fundamentally changing corporate restructuring. [Read full explanation]
In what ways can artificial intelligence and machine learning be leveraged to streamline the reorganization process?
AI and ML can revolutionize business reorganization by enhancing decision-making with predictive analytics, streamlining processes through automation, and facilitating employee engagement and change management, thereby making reorganizations more efficient, data-driven, and adaptable. [Read full explanation]
How can companies ensure that reorganization efforts align with long-term sustainability goals?
Discover how Strategic Planning, Change Management, and Culture ensure reorganization aligns with Sustainability Goals, boosting resilience and competitiveness. [Read full explanation]

Source: Executive Q&A: Restructuring Questions, Flevy Management Insights, 2024


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