Total 613 words used.
Introduction
“If no one is satisfied with the current state, then who created it?”
This was the question we asked ourselves when we, in the Employee Communications and Experience Department, decided to take a step toward our constant concern: improving organizational culture.
From past experiences, we learned that cultural concerns can only be addressed through cultural pathways, and the shortest and most picturesque route is art. This time, we designed a platform where all employees could participate; a platform to view organizational culture from different perspectives. The Shutter Festival was born at this point, founded with the goal of enhancing organizational culture and creating avenues for employees to critique cultural issues in innovative ways. With the slogan “The Organization Through Your Lens,” the festival aimed to be the voice of cultural stories and issues within the organization and to reflect the narratives of the employees.
Structure of the Shutter Festival
The Shutter Festival was designed with three main categories:
1. Story Writing: Employees could write a story between 300 to 1000 words set within the organization.
2. Dialogue Writing: Three one-minute scenes from well-known animated films were provided, and employees were tasked with writing dialogues that depicted the internal narratives of the organization.
3. AI Illustration: Employees could use AI tools to create a conceptual, creative image that conveyed their cultural message.
Participants were invited to submit their works in any of these three categories. The submissions were then evaluated by a panel of expert judges, and the best entries in each category were awarded.
Thematic Axes
To develop the thematic axes of the festival, we referred to prior organizational research. A study focused on “difficult behaviors,” which examined key behavioral challenges from the perspectives of managers and staff, helped us identify recurring themes. These themes formed the basis for the festival’s submission categories:
1. Tell Tales
2. Exaggeration
3. Dark Side or Bright Side
4. The Ugly Duckling
5. Strength Lies in Union
6. When Pigs Fly
Reception and Participation
The Shutter Festival was held from June to August 2024 and received over 300 submissions from various departments and organizational levels, ranging from department heads to service staff. This participation demonstrated that Shutter had touched on a shared concern within the company.
Innovations and Broader Impact
By designing and hosting the Shutter Festival, we achieved multiple objectives simultaneously. A platform was created for employees' voices to be heard, allowing HR managers to become aware of shared concerns. The introduction of a “Family Participation” category was an innovative idea that aimed to enhance employees' sense of belonging and foster a positive connection between their families and the organization. This addition was well-received and drew participation from employees’ families.
In an organization driven by technology, Shutter opened a window to the arts, encouraging employees to explore their creative talents and discover new skills. It also demonstrated that appealing and innovative cultural programs can foster empathy and convey feedback and solutions in a friendly environment. A notable aspect of the festival was that the critiques raised in the submissions addressed managers, processes, and employee behaviors almost equally. These insights not only provided guidance for managers but also helped employees better understand collaboration and conduct in the workplace.
Conclusion
Overall, Shutter underscores the idea that while we may not be fully satisfied with the current state, we all play a part in creating it and can contribute to improving it. Let’s listen to each other’s voices and understand each other’s concerns. To ensure the lasting impact of these diverse and compelling narratives, we decided to publish the selected works in a magazine, preserving the employees' perspectives on the organizational culture for future reference.
Nomination Title: Shutter Festival: A New Perspective on Organizational Culture
