AKCG Culture Deck (January 2016)

akcg@akc.global akc.global
Corporate Culture
‘The Way We Do
Things Around Here…’
By: The AKCGlobal Team
Latest Adaptation: 18 January 2016
Permission to edit, distribute and adapt encouraged.
The AKCGlobal Group

AKCGlobal – Culture Deck
akc.globalNo rights reserved - distribution and adaption encouraged.akcg@akc.global
“To be confused about what is different is to be confused about
everything. Thus, it is not an accident that our fragmentary form of
thought is leading to such a widespread range of crises – social,
political, economic, ecological, psychological, in the individual and
in society as a whole. To develop new insights into fragmentation
and wholeness requires a creative work even more difficult than
that needed to make fundamental new discoveries in science, or
great and original works of art. Suddenly, in a flash of
understanding, one may see the irrelevance of one’s whole way of
thinking....along with a different approach in which all elements fit
in a new order and in a new structure.”
- David Bohm, Quantum Physicist

akcg@akc.global
“It is a wonderful
feeling to recognize
the unity of a complex
of phenomena that to
direct observation
appear to be quite
separate things.”
- Albert Einstein
The Way We Do Things Around Here…
akc.global
1. Mission – Our Reason for Being
2. Direction – Where We’re Going
3. People – Who We’re Looking For
4. Learning – How We Keep Sharp
5. Structure – Finding Order within Chaos
6. Work – Freedom and Responsibility
7. Values – Measuring Success
8. Motivation – Why We’re Here…

akcg@akc.global
“To laugh often and
much; to win the
respect of intelligent
people and the
affection of children;
to earn the
appreciation of honest
critics and endure the
betrayal of false
friends; to appreciate
beauty; to find the
best in others; to leave
the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy
child, a garden patch
or a redeemed social
condition; to know
even one life has
breathed easier
because you have
lived. This is to have
succeeded.”
- Ralph Waldo
Emerson
The Way We Do Things Around Here…
akc.global
This is a collection of things that are important to us. It’s
how we know that we belong together – a tribal manifesto
of sorts – and helps us recognise when we’ve happily
stumbled upon one of our own, or they’ve stumbled upon
us. Because it’s ours and we’re growing and figuring
things out, it changes, adapts, and evolves too. We’ve no
idea what’s next. Yum.
When that happens, someone updates this. There’s not
a form or permission, no ‘track-changes’ or version
control. We just do it because we learned something
new and recognised it important enough to include.
This is our introduction, touchstone and origin story.

“There is nothing
more difficult to carry
out, nor more doubtful
of success, nor more
dangerous to handle,
than to initiate a new
order of things.
For the reformer has
enemies in all who profit
by the old order, and
only lukewarm
defenders in all those
who would profit by the
new order. This
indecisiveness arises
partly from fear of their
adversaries, who have
the law in their favor,
and partly from the
incredulity of mankind,
who do not truly believe
in anything until they
have had actual
experience in it.”
- Machiavelli,
The Prince
1. AKCGlobal Mission
What Do We Do?
“We help good
people solve
Wicked
Problems”
akcg@akc.global akc.globalNo rights reserved - distribution and adaption encouraged.

“I have sworn upon
the altar of God,
eternal hostility
against every form of
tyranny over the mind
of man.”
- Thomas
Jefferson
Why Do We Do It?
There are good people out there trying to
save the world in spite of itself. They’re
selflessly fighting a ground war against
overwhelming odds and the forces of
fear, mediocrity, prejudice, greed, evil,
laziness, and stupidity.
We’re their air support, and
we’re here to make sure
they’re not in the fight alone.

“But ignorance is not
altogether bliss; and in
the field of learning, as
in politics, it is only
because some people
are prepared to make
trouble that anything
of importance gets
done.”
- H.A. Ayer
How Do We Do It?
akc.global
We ‘guard the gates’, preferring to hire from those we’ve
gotten to know, or get to know before hiring
We’re constantly teaching each other and learning,
because knowledge builds insight and options
We’re not fans of hierarchy or titles because age or status
doesn’t guarantee wisdom or creativity
We do incredible work by giving smart, talented and kind
people incredible freedom and responsibility
We put our values into practice by using them to decide
who leads, is rewarded, and is let go
No rights reserved - distribution and adaption encouraged.akcg@akc.global

“If a man will begin
with certainties, he
shall end in doubts;
but if he will be
content to begin with
doubts he shall end in
certainties.”
- Sir Francis
Bacon
How Do We Do It?
Client >Company
>Self
When in doubt (and consistent with
our values), put the client’s interests
before the company’s, and the team’s
before your own

but if he will be
certainties.”
- Sir Francis
Bacon
How Do We Do It?
Company > Self
Don’t solve for your personal interest
to the detriment of the team.
Client > Company
Don’t solve for the company’s interest
to the detriment of the client.

“Some problems are
so complex that you
have to be highly
intelligent and well-
informed just to be
undecided about
them.”
- Laurence J. Peter
What Do We Do?
“We help good people solve
Wicked Problems”
We – Nothing worth doing is accomplished alone
Help – Solutions must be evoked, not imposed
Good – Our work must build social value
People – For us, there is only the ‘bottom-up’
Solve – Name and treat the causes, not symptoms
Wicked – Someone else can handle the tame stuff
Problems – We do good work, and then move on

“The best, as well as
the shortest way to
find out what is good
and what is bad is to
consider what you
would have wished to
have happen had you
not been Prince.”
- Machiavelli
What Do We Do?
Wicked Problems”
Knowing who’s “good” can be hard. We look for…
• Someone who acts from mind and heart;
• Objectives beyond just more money/stuff/power;
• Measures of social and environmental impact;
• People who see themselves as part of an ecosystem;
• Self-reflection or doubt, because orthodoxy is scary;
• Sacrifice that is shared, and for a greater benefit;
• Bruises and scars from picking the right fights; and
• Fierce willpower and capability tempered by humility.

the shortest way to
consider what you
have happen had you
not been Prince.”
- Machiavelli
What Do We Do?
Wicked Problems”
OK, so what’s a “Wicked Problem” then?
• You don’t understand a Wicked Problem until after
you’ve tried your first solution; it will no doubt fail, but
you’ll gain data you couldn’t have had before;
• Stakeholders to the Problem don’t agree on what
would solve it, or often even the nature of the problem
itself;
• Fundamental ‘rules of the game’ defining the Problem’s
context change as you’re trying to solve it;

the shortest way to
consider what you
have happen had you
not been Prince.”
- Machiavelli
What Do We Do?
Wicked Problems”
OK, so what’s a “Wicked Problem” then?
• A ‘solution’ will only come from a variety of imperfect
options; problem-solving ends instead when you run
out of time, money or energy;
• Every response to a Wicked Problem is novel,
‘unprove-able’ and unique, and won’t be found in a
single precedent, or transferrable case; and
• There is no place from which to solve the Problem
‘objectively’ – we are also intrinsic to its causes.

"Hard pressed on my
right, My centre is
yielding. Impossible to
manoeuvre. Situation
excellent. I am
attacking!”
- Ferdinand Foch
What Do We Do?
Wicked Problems”
akcg@akc.global akc.global
We are a consultancy, but we work with a system of
people, not just focused on ‘management’…
We are a business, but our priority is doing incredible
work, believe that profit is a natural by-product…
We are smart, but if that’s taught us anything, it’s that
there’s so much more we have to learn…
We are optimists, but we believe that the best decisions
about the future are made with cold facts…
No rights reserved - distribution and adaption encouraged.

but if he will be
certainties.”
- Sir Francis
Bacon
TL;DR – The Short Version
“Caliginem
Pervincere”
Latin: “Upwards, through the fog”

“They sentenced me
to twenty years of
boredom; For trying to
change the system
from within.
I'm coming now, I'm
coming to reward
them; First we take
Manhattan, then we
take Berlin”
- Leonard
Cohen
Who Are We? And Might You Be One of Us?
akc.global
We lean in and grin when challenged by a truly messy,
complex and worthwhile problem…
We’re optimistic and believe that with hard work, the
future is going to be better than the past…
We’re troublemakers, but for good reasons, and to
make things better in organisations and the world…
We think different than most, in non-linear ways and
have a knack for seeing patterns in chaos…
We care about what we do and the people we do it with,
mixing heart and mind in equal measure…

“No wind serves him
who addresses his
voyage to no certain
port.”
- Michel de
Montaigne
2. AKCGlobal Direction
Where Are We Going?
akc.global
Two-Year Goal – by 15 October, 2016
Maximise revenues without sacrificing values
Five-Year Goal – by 15 October, 2019
Employ the fifty best people we can find globally
Ten-Year Goal – by 15 October, 2026
Command influence sufficient to stop a war
Strategy and planning are important, but sometimes a
good compass is more valuable than a map….

"If we would guide by
the light of reason, we
must let our minds be
bold,''
- Justice John
Paul Stevens
3. AKCGlobal People
Who We’re Looking For
akc.global
We ‘guard the gates’,
preferring to hire from
those we’ve gotten to
know, or get to know
before hiring

“No great woman or
man ever complains of
want of opportunity.”
- Ralph Waldo
Emerson
3. AKCGlobal People
akc.global
We’re looking for smart, socially-conscious
high performers with little to no ego –
“High-Capability”
1. They’re 10x (Netflix, General Electric) to 25x (Apple) to
300x (Google) more valuable than an employee of
average capability in the company;
2. They can quickly step into and learn almost any role,
particularly in an effectively-led team; and
3. They ‘self-manage’ much more effectively, reducing
organisational burden and costs.

“No great woman or
man ever complains of
want of opportunity.”
- Ralph Waldo
Emerson
3. AKCGlobal People
akc.global
We’re looking for smart, socially-conscious
high performers with little to no ego –
“Humble”
“Humility is not
thinking less of
yourself; it is
thinking of yourself
less.”
– C.S. Lewis

“For my money, I’ll bet
on reason and
humanistic kindness.
Even if I am wrong I
will have enjoyed my
life, the existence of
which is under little
dispute.”
- Dan Barker
3. AKCGlobal People
Loyalty is important, it doesn’t substitute for
personification of our values;
Hard work is the norm, adequate performance
respectfully earns a generous severance package;
Brilliant jerks deliver, they aren’t worth the cost to group
effectiveness, happiness and creativity;
Competition externally can be fun, when it’s within the
team it just wastes energy, time and potential.
A great place to work is stellar people, but while…

but if he will be
certainties.”
- Sir Francis
Bacon
3. AKCGlobal People
Peers >Perks
We’ve decided that:
The people we work with – the content
of their character, quality of their
work, size of their heart, and the
power of their intellect – are more
important than a season bus pass.

“Here's to the crazy
ones. The ones who
see things differently...
They're not fond of rules,
and they have no
respect for the status-
quo. You can quote
them, disagree with
them, glorify, or vilify
them. But the only thing
you can't do is ignore
them. Because they
change things. They
push the human race
forward. And while some
may see them as the
crazy ones, we see
genius. Because the
people who are crazy
enough to think they can
change the world, are
the ones who do.”
- "Think Different"
Apple Computers
3. AKCGlobal People
We’ve learned that:
You can’t ‘think different’ if
you’re too busy
pretending to be the
same as everyone else.
Come as you are.

“Problems that are
created by our current
level of thinking can’t
be solved by that same
level of thinking.”
- Albert Einstein
3. AKCGlobal People
Consultant
Employee
Advocate
Sign up for the newsletter, add your CV
to the database, attend public events
Deliver high-quality value
for clients or AKCGlobal
Accept an invitation from the team to join
the company as a member of staff
Join bids/
pitches
Associate
Volunteer your time to help
build the business
Engage,
respond

“I know no safe
depository of the
ultimate powers of the
society but the people
themselves; and if we
think them not
enlightened enough to
exercise their control
with a wholesome
discretion, the remedy
is not to take it from
them, but to inform
their discretion by
education.”
- Thomas Jefferson
4. AKCGlobal Learning
How We Keep Sharp
We’re constantly
teaching each other
and learning, because
knowledge builds
insight and options

“I do not feel obliged
to believe that the
same God who has
endowed us with
sense, reason, and
intellect has intended
us to forego their use”
- Galileo
4. AKCGlobal Learning
How We Keep Sharp
Internal – Each of us shares the skills and knowledge we
have in team training days to build awareness of our
collective capabilities;
Community – As part of TheCUBE’s co-working
community, we both offer and participate in their wide
range of workshops and lectures; and
Strategic – AKCGlobal proactively invests in its
personnel by sponsoring their external qualifications in
subjects relevant to our work.
Personal – AKCGlobal will reimburse up to £10 per
month to allow employees to purchase
books/magazines/materials relevant to their work;

“The error of youth is
to believe that
intelligence is a
substitute for
experience, while the
error of age is to
believe that experience
is a substitute for
intelligence.”
- Lyman Bryson
5. AKCGlobal Structure
Finding Order Within Chaos
We’re not fans of
hierarchy or titles
because age or status
doesn’t guarantee
wisdom or creativity

“The dogmas of the
quiet past are
inadequate to the
stormy present. The
occasion is piled high
with difficulty, and we
must rise with the
occasion. As our case
is new, so we must
think anew and act
anew.”
- Abraham
Lincoln
Finding Order Within Chaos
Leaders within the company take on more responsibility
for its health, and are recognisable by the regard its
personnel have for them;
Progression of any type – salary, position, responsibility –
doesn’t follow a set path or require someone to leave that
role where they excel;
AKCGlobal pays employees at the top of their personal
marketability; as much as a replacement would cost, and
what we’d pay to keep them.
One highly-capable star employee is worth
more than two average ones; we invest
accordingly:

“Perfection is
achieved, not when
there is nothing more
to add, but when there
is nothing left to take
away.”
- Antoine de
Saint
Exupery
Combatting Complexity
Refactoring – Improving internal structure
without changing external behaviour
• Pull out unused features;
• Removing unnecessary rules;
• Stop generating useless reports;
• Automate manual processes;
• Cancel unproductive meetings;
• Prune extraneous processes.
Refactoring the common environment is
everyone’s constant responsibility. Everyone.

“When your work
speaks for itself, don’t
interrupt.”
- Henry J. Kaiser
6. AKCGlobal Work
Freedom and Responsibility
We do incredible work
by giving smart,
talented and kind
people incredible
freedom and
responsibility

“Nothing in the world
can take the place of
persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is
more common than
unsuccessful men with
talent. Genius will not;
unrewarded genius is
almost a proverb.
Education will not; the
world is full of educated
derelicts. Persistence
and determination are
omnipotent. The slogan
‘press on’ has solved
and always will solve the
problems of the human
race.”
- Calvin Coolidge
6. AKCGlobal Work
Employee Manual (Page 1 of 1)
1. Use your best
judgement
2. Act in the interest of
the client
3. Prevent unrecoverable
disaster

“How many a dispute
could have been
deflated into a single
paragraph if the
disputants had dared
to define their terms”
- Aristotle
6. AKCGlobal Work
Examples of Interpretation
Holiday Policy
Take holidays when you need them,
and at times respectful of your
colleagues and the work.
There is no holiday allocation or tracking – work
hard, work smart, deliver quality and help each
other. Come back refreshed, creative and
motivated (and bring candy for the rest of us).

could have been
paragraph if the
- Aristotle
6. AKCGlobal Work
Expenses Policy
Act in the company’s best interest.
Expense what you would otherwise not spend,
and travel as you would if it was your own
money. Don’t create conflicts-of-interests, and
disclose non-trivial gifts. Take from the
company only when it’s inefficient not to, and
inconsequential.

could have been
paragraph if the
- Aristotle
6. AKCGlobal Work
Attendance Policy
Work where and when it provides
the most value to the client and
company.
Deliver value to the clients and company while
meeting commitments, and being available to
help your colleagues. Work from home, the
office, or a coffee shop – be accessible on
company platforms.

could have been
paragraph if the
- Aristotle
6. AKCGlobal Work
Dress Policy
Wear the most comfortable clothes
appropriate for your work.
Dress in the way that makes your brain and
heart happiest, and that doesn’t distract from
the value you’re adding to the client or
company.

“Always do right – this
will gratify some,
frustrate many, and
astonish the rest.”
- Mark Twain
7. AKCGlobal Values
What Do We Value Here?
We put our values into
practice by using them
to decide who leads, is
rewarded, and is let go

“When I die, I hope
that it will be in the
way of my grandfather
and Mr. Rabin, taking a
bullet on the battlefield
of peace, because that
is the only death
worthy of such a life.
Let us not keep silent.
Let our voices rise high
to speak of our
commitment to peace for
all time to come. And let
us tell those who live in
darkness, who are the
enemies of life and true
faith, this is where we
stand. This is our
camp.”
- King Hussein
of Jordan, at
the funeral of
Yitzhak Rabin.
7. AKCGlobal Values
Courage
Say what you think, even if it’s controversial
Make tough decisions without agonising
Take smart risks for common benefit
Question actions inconsistent with our values

“If you tell people the
truth, make them
laugh or they'll kill
you.”
- George Bernard
Shaw
7. AKCGlobal Values
Honesty
Speak directly and with candour
Disagree without being political
Say nothing about someone you’d not say to them
Admit mistakes quickly

“This is the true joy in
life, being used for a
purpose recognized by
yourself as a mighty
one; being a force of
nature instead of a
feverish selfish little
clod of ailments and
grievances
complaining that the
world will not devote
itself to making you
happy.”
- George Bernard
Shaw
7. AKCGlobal Values
Impact
Do amazing amounts of important work
Be a consistent and reliable colleague
Focus on results instead of process
Bias toward action over analysis

“They that reverence
too much the old times
are but a scorn to the
new.”
- Sir Francis Bacon
7. AKCGlobal Values
Openness
Listen well to understand, then react fast
Be articulate and concise speaking and writing
Treat people with respect independent of status
Maintain calm poise under stress

“I do not greatly care
whether I have been
right or wrong on any
point, but I care a
great deal about
knowing which of the
two I have been.”
- Samuel Butler
7. AKCGlobal Values
Curiosity
Learn eagerly and rapidly
Teach yourself skills, knowledge and tools
Contribute effectively outside your speciality
Admit when you don’t know, ask to know more

“Making good
judgments when one
has complete data,
facts and knowledge is
not leadership – it’s
bookkeeping.”
- Dee Hock
7. AKCGlobal Values
Judgement
Decide on the wisest action despite ambiguity
Identify root causes of problems constructively
Choose strategically what to do and not do
Separate what to do now, and improve later

“It is amazing how
much people can get
done if they do not
worry about who gets
the credit.”
- Sandra Swinney
7. AKCGlobal Values
Humility
Seek what is best for the client, then company
Search for the best ideas without ego
Make the effort to proactively help colleagues
Share information, blame and credit openly

“Happiness: The full
use of your powers
along the lines of
excellence.”
- John F. Kennedy
8. AKCGlobal Motivation
Why I’m Here…
“I’m here because I really wanted to work
somewhere with the smartest and best people I
know. I’ve met them all over the world, and many
ended up here in London too.
If there’s anything that we have in common, it’s that
we’re constantly seeking out challenges worth
solving, but those are the ones most likely to
violently resist being solved. We needed our own
castle to call home, so I built the business for us that
I couldn’t find anywhere else.”
- Alexander Knapp

use of your powers
along the lines of
excellence.”
- John F. Kennedy
Why I’m Here…
“I’ve always been inspired by those who dare to
think outside of the triangle. Not for the sake of
being different, but because paving the way for
innovative thinking is very much needed. To me,
AKCG encompasses exactly that. Being surrounded
by people who embody a highly rare combination of
humbleness and brilliance is incredibly motivating! I
am here because I do not need to mask my quirky
personality and suggestions, because I fully believe
in the purpose of the company and finally because I
believe we together can achieve greatness.”
- Carina Jurs

use of your powers
along the lines of
excellence.”
- John F. Kennedy
Why I’m Here…
“I’m here because…”
- [Your name]
[Add your ‘Motivation’
here and update the
file online for the next
person!]

With thanks for inspiration, examples, content,
suggestions and other crazy notions to:
The AKCG Team
Apple
Netflix Culture Deck
Valve Employee Manual
HubSpot Culture Code
Richard Semler, SEMCO
Zappos Employee Manual
Harold Saunders, The Kettering Foundation
Caliginem Pervincere

Questions?

AKCG Culture Deck (January 2016)

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