Book excerpt: Nowadays, nearly every business leader recognizes the crucial importance of culture. But, in many organizations, attempts to handle culture issues remain “squishy,” unfocused, and unlikely to bring any value or results. Now, IBM’s leading experts reveal the way to make culture tangible to everyone involved—and how to effectively deal with a variety of culture challenges. Can Two Rights Make a Wrong? leverages the lessons learned during IBM’s $3.5 billion acquisition of PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting: insight that IBM has crystallized into a powerful methodology for transforming business culture. The authors introduce “Business Practices,” an actionable surrogate for “culture” that business people can identify with, gauge, and act upon. Then, one step at a time, you’ll learn how to apply IBM’s practical culture transformation techniques in your unique environment. You’ll discover common patterns that lead to culture clashes so you can resolve or, better yet, prevent them. You’ll learn to clarify your expectations so people really “get” it—and do it. You’ll gain the way to measure culture change progress in terms everyone can understand and buy into. Whether you’re involved with M&As, joint ventures, major transformation, internal restructuring, or any other initiative where culture is important, this book can help you take culture from a worrisome risk to a competitive advantage. Business Practices: the unseen hand that propels action Uncover what makes your organization unique Right vs. Right: What to do when good options conflict Understand and manage the source of culture clash Outcome Narratives: Get to the right place, the right way Clarify your desired future, clear the obstacles, measure progress, and deliver results