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Creating an innovative organizational culture can be challenging, but with the right tools and processes in place, you can do it. Cloud technology can help by providing a shared platform for collaboration and novel ways of working.

The cloud has fundamentally changed how businesses operate. By moving business processes to the cloud, companies can improve efficiency and agility. It is worth noting, the cloud offers more than just technical benefits, it can also help create a more innovative organizational culture.

What is Organizational Culture?

Before you can effectively address your organizational culture, you need to be able to define it and understand what it means to you and your team.

According to the Harvard Business Review, organizational culture is “the set of shared beliefs, values, and assumptions that guide how people think, feel, and act within an organization.” Taking this idea even further, organizational culture theory states that it is a complex system of values and beliefs that shape behavior within an organization.

For example, a company with an innovative culture will encourage and reward creative problem-solving, collaboration, and risk-taking. On the other hand, a more conservative culture may be averse to change and prioritize stability over innovation.

Organizational culture is not just one thing; it's the sum of components such as:

  • Corporate values and philosophies
  • Mission, vision, and goals
  • Business processes and procedures
  • Work environments
  • Communication patterns
  • Performance expectations

The critical importance of organizational culture

Organizational culture is important because it impacts the company internally and externally. It affects how employees interact with each other and their work. It can also influence how customers perceive the organization and its products or services.

Companies that foster a creative, collaborative culture are more likely to be successful in the long term. This lasting success stems from their ability to come up with new ideas quickly and adapt to changing markets faster than their competitors.

Organizational culture and leadership

Leaders play a key role in shaping organizational culture. They set the tone for how employees think, feel, and act within the organization. If leaders prioritize innovation, collaboration, and risk-taking, it's more likely that their team will follow suit.

It's important to note that leaders must also practice what they preach. It will not be enough to just tell people to be creative — they must actively engage with the team and foster a culture of innovation. Leaders who want to prioritize innovative thinking can start by embracing cloud technology and encouraging collaboration on cloud-based platforms.

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How Cloud Technology Helps Create an Innovative Culture

Cloud technology can be a powerful tool for creating an innovative culture within your organization because it provides a shared platform for collaboration and encourages novel ways of working.

For creating and fostering an innovative culture, cloud technology offers several game-changing benefits: 

  • Shared platforms
    Cloud-based tools such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Panzura CloudFS allow teams to collaborate in real time from any location. This remote accessibility makes it easy to share documents, ideas, and feedback quickly and effectively.
  • Increased productivity
    Cloud-based tools accelerate many processes by eliminating manual chores such as paperwork or emails. This makes it easier for teams to work faster and more efficiently.
  • Improved communication
    Cloud-based tools also provide a platform for communicating with team members in different locations or countries. Streamlined communication allows for faster decision-making and more opportunities for feedback.
  • Enhanced creativity
    Cloud technology encourages creative problem-solving and innovation by establishing an environment where information flows freely and ideas can be shared quickly.

The benefits mentioned above may seem vague, especially for businesses that have yet to become familiar with cloud technology. In this case, it may be helpful to look at a few concrete examples of companies that have successfully implemented cloud solutions to foster an innovative culture.

  • Adobe moved entirely to cloud-based tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Acrobat DC. This decision allowed their teams to collaborate in real-time from anywhere in the world and enabled them to come up with new ideas quickly.
  • Microsoft adopted a  “cloud first” strategy, resulting in increased creativity and productivity among its teams.

Of course, developing an innovative organizational culture requires more than just implementing cloud technology. It also requires strong leadership, a customer-centric focus, and an understanding of what motivates employees. But when done correctly, it can be the key to long-term success for any organization.

That said, cloud technology can be a powerful tool for creating an innovative organizational culture. It provides teams with the tools to collaborate effectively, encourages creativity and risk-taking, and streamline work. These improvements can have a powerful, positive impact on how employees interact and "get it done," which can help an organization stand out from its competitors.

So if you’re looking to foster an innovative culture within your organization, we highly encourage you to consider implementing cloud-based tools. And if you’re not sure how to start,  contact us for information about cloud-based solutions that can help organizations create a culture of innovation and creativity.