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Building Culture in a Scale Up

Coursera QA Team and Joe Haslam

Company culture changes in the shift from startup to scaleup – and it's vital to create and sustain a culture where everyone on the team understands the company's mission, values, strategy and objectives.

This course will help you get that crucial culture piece within your scaleup right. You'll discover the role the company founder and the company culture play in ensuring a successful transition from startup to scaleup, gain insights on building and fostering diverse teams, and understand the critical importance of implementing corporate governance structures that make sense for your company.

Culture can be your company's superpower, and with this course, you'll be able to build and maintain the company culture that will bolster your company from the startup phase through the scaleup phase – and beyond.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Culture

Culture scales - people don't. If you want people to behave the same way when the founder is in the room as when they are not, then you have to get the culture piece exactly right. In this module, we discuss the concept of culture from a scaleup perspective to understand its importance, and we begin to establish key practices for building and promoting company culture through periods of growth and transformation.

Diversity

Diversity encompasses different backgrounds - nationality, age, gender - but it also includes bringing in people with different experiences and strengths. In this module, you´ll gather insights from succcesful companies who have built diversity into their culture and learn how you can build and foster diversity across global and international teams.

Corporate Governance

There´s no getting around it: as you begin to scale up, you need to have strong corporate governance. In this module, you´ll learn about advisory boards and other structures you need to ensure that you cover your bases in terms of compliance and general requirements.

Teams

This week, you'll explore how to scale up your team by hiring and retaining great people and building a "great team" - not a mystical great team, but a team that fits your needs and your objectives. You'll delve into the science behind great teams and gain key tips for making sure that employees are onboarded effectively into your scaleup.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches learners about the founding and scaling of companies and the role of culture in that process, which is relevant to founders of companies

Taught by experts who have the experience to guide learners through the journey of taking a company from startup to scaleup

Provides insights on how to ensure a smooth transition from a startup to a scaleup company

Examines how to build a diverse team workforce, which is recognized as core to a company's success

Covers corporate governance structures that are crucial for scaleup companies, which are recognized as important for regulatory compliance

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Building Culture in a Scale Up with these activities:

Read 'The Lean Startup'

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Gain insights on building a successful business through customer feedback, iteration, and continuous improvement.

View The Startup Way: How Modern Companies Use... on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly and take notes.
Identify key concepts and principles from the book.
Apply the learnings to your startup or scaleup journey.

Review business organizational structures

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Review different types of organizational structures to better comprehend scaling up company operations and structures.

Browse courses on Organizational Structures

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List different business organizational structures and their key characteristics.
Explain advantages and disadvantages of each organizational structure.

Develop a company culture framework

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Create a framework for fostering and maintaining a positive and supportive company culture during scale-up.

Browse courses on Organizational Culture

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Research and identify key elements of a strong company culture.
Gather input and perspectives from colleagues and team members.
Develop a set of policies and guidelines to promote the desired culture.

Five other activities

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Build a startup simulation model

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Gain hands-on experience with startup growth and financial modeling to enhance understanding of scaling up a business.

Browse courses on Business Modeling

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Identify a startup business model to use.
Use online tutorials to develop a financial model for the startup.
Forecast key financial metrics and analyze startup growth scenarios.

Participate in a team culture workshop

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Engage in a collaborative workshop to assess and enhance team culture, dynamics, and communication during scale-up.

Browse courses on Team Building

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Identify and invite team members to the workshop.
Set clear goals and objectives for the workshop.
Facilitate discussions and activities to explore team culture and dynamics.

Create a diversity and inclusion plan

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Develop a proactive plan to enhance diversity and inclusion in your workplace, fostering a more equitable and welcoming environment.

Browse courses on Workplace Diversity

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Conduct a diversity and inclusion assessment.
Establish goals and objectives for your diversity and inclusion plan.
Identify and implement strategies to attract and retain a diverse workforce.

Attend a corporate governance seminar

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Gain knowledge on corporate governance best practices and legal requirements to ensure ethical and sustainable decision-making.

Browse courses on Business Ethics

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Identify and register for a relevant corporate governance seminar.
Attend the seminar and actively participate in discussions.
Network with other attendees and industry experts.

Mentor a junior entrepreneur

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Share your knowledge and experiences to guide and support aspiring entrepreneurs in their startups or scaleups.

Browse courses on Mentoring

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Identify a mentoring opportunity or platform.
Meet with the mentee regularly to provide guidance, feedback, and encouragement.
Encourage the mentee to reflect on their progress and set goals.

Career center

Learners who complete Building Culture in a Scale Up will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Chief Culture Officer

Chief Culture Officers are responsible for creating and maintaining a positive and productive work environment that aligns with the company's values and goals. The course, Building Culture in a Scale Up, can provide valuable insights into how to build and foster a strong company culture during periods of rapid growth and transformation. By understanding the role that culture plays in ensuring a successful transition from startup to scaleup, learners can gain the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Culture Officer

Chief Diversity Officer

Chief Diversity Officers are responsible for developing and implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives within an organization. The course, Building Culture in a Scale Up, can help learners gain insights from successful companies who have built diversity into their culture. By understanding the importance of diversity and how to build and foster diverse teams, learners can develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Diversity Officer

Corporate Governance Officer

Corporate Governance Officers are responsible for ensuring that a company's corporate governance practices are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The course, Building Culture in a Scale Up, can provide learners with a strong foundation in corporate governance, including the role of advisory boards and other structures. By understanding the importance of strong corporate governance, learners can develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Governance Officer

Organizational Development Manager

Organizational Development Managers are responsible for developing and implementing programs and initiatives that promote and enhance organizational culture and effectiveness. The course, Building Culture in a Scale Up, can help learners develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this role by providing insights into the role of company culture, how to build and foster diversity, and the importance of corporate governance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organizational Development Manager

Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Diversity and Inclusion Managers are responsible for developing and implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives within an organization. The course, Building Culture in a Scale Up, can help learners gain insights from successful companies who have built diversity into their culture. By understanding the importance of diversity and how to build and foster diverse teams, learners can develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Culture Specialist

Culture Specialists are responsible for developing and implementing programs and initiatives that promote and enhance company culture. The course, Building Culture in a Scale Up, can help learners develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this role by providing insights into the role of company culture, how to build and foster diversity, and the importance of corporate governance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Culture Specialist

People Operations Manager

People Operations Managers are responsible for developing and implementing programs and initiatives that promote and enhance employee engagement and productivity. The course, Building Culture in a Scale Up, can help learners develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this role by providing insights into the role of company culture, how to build and foster diversity, and the importance of corporate governance.

See salaries and explore the career path for People Operations Manager

Talent Manager

Talent Managers are responsible for attracting, developing, and retaining top talent within an organization. The course, Building Culture in a Scale Up, can help learners develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this role by providing insights into the role of company culture, how to build and foster diversity, and the importance of corporate governance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Talent Manager

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for overseeing all aspects of human resources within an organization. The course, Building Culture in a Scale Up, can help learners develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this role by providing insights into the role of company culture, how to build and foster diversity, and the importance of corporate governance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Company Culture Consultant

Company Culture Consultants help organizations develop and implement strategies to improve their company culture. The course, Building Culture in a Scale Up, can help learners develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this role by providing insights into the role of company culture, how to build and foster diversity, and the importance of corporate governance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Company Culture Consultant

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officers are responsible for the overall leadership and management of an organization. The course, Building Culture in a Scale Up, can provide CEOs with valuable insights into how to build and maintain a positive and productive work environment that aligns with the company's values and goals. By understanding the role that culture plays in ensuring a successful transition from startup to scaleup, CEOs can gain the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer

Organizational Psychologist

Organizational Psychologists help organizations understand and improve their workplace culture. The course, Building Culture in a Scale Up, can help organizational psychologists develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this role by providing insights into the role of company culture, how to build and foster diversity, and the importance of corporate governance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organizational Psychologist

Management Consultant

Management Consultants help organizations improve their performance and achieve their goals. The course, Building Culture in a Scale Up, can help management consultants develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this role by providing insights into the role of company culture, how to build and foster diversity, and the importance of corporate governance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Small Business Owner

Small business owners start and run their own businesses. The course, Building Culture in a Scale Up, can provide small business owners with valuable insights into how to build and maintain a positive and productive work environment that aligns with the company's values and goals. By understanding the role that culture plays in ensuring a successful transition from startup to scaleup, small business owners can gain the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Small Business Owner

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses. The course, Building Culture in a Scale Up, can provide entrepreneurs with valuable insights into how to build and maintain a positive and productive work environment that aligns with the company's values and goals. By understanding the role that culture plays in ensuring a successful transition from startup to scaleup, entrepreneurs can gain the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Building Culture in a Scale Up.

The Culture Map (INTL ED)

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This well-known bestseller book provides insights into cultural differences that may impact company culture. It can provide additional context to the course's discussions of building culture across global teams.

Building Culture in a Scale Up

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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