"XYZ isn’t a place or company or an age. It’s a mind-set - a new kind of culture where innovation, accessibility, and transparency are the norm. It’s an environment created by behaviors and values."
- The XYZ Factor, page xi
"(XYZ Factor) is an environment created by behaviors and values, not a policy manual approved by external lawyers or board members. It indicates the successful coming together of three generations to produce boldly and efficiently."- The XYZ Factor, page xi
DoSomething.org is a very mission-driven organization with a dedication to making an impact. Since their mission is to mobilize young people under 25, it seems only natural that their organizational culture would be an extension of this youthfulness. The reason why it works is because their focus on their values and behaviors to create this culture, not some prescribed notion of what the organization ‘should’ be like.
They identify 7 key factors that make the XYZ so functional and special:
"At DoSomething.org, we let our coworkers in on our lives outside of work, and this is one of the most significant components of an XYZ organization."- The XYZ Factor, page 11
For years part of corporate culture has meant being buttoned up and professional in the workplace. Sharing (let alone over-sharing) about your personal life was often frowned upon. But DoSomething.org has found that by embracing and welcoming the whole person, not just the professional, they are able to cultivate much better work relationships. This means things like connecting with each other on social media platforms and showing off their individuality. They reference CEO Nancy Lublin’s obsession with Hello Kitty and how she has lots of Hello Kitty paraphernalia on display in her office. By having the CEO lead by example, all staff feel welcome and encouraged to be themselves in the workplace to create a more authentic experience.
"Your organization has a similar kind of nervous system: a nearly real-time feedback loop that can inform the efficacy of programs, products and services. Unfortunately, most companies don’t tap into this."- The XYZ Factor, page 64
There is lots of talk about the importance of data to a modern organization, yet many organizations are still struggling to harness the power of their data. Organizations may be collecting data but aren’t empowered to react to it, or they may not be collecting it at all. For DoSomething.org, there are many levels of data and how that data can influence their decision making. For instance they have over 3 million members who they communicate with regularly and who take action through DoSomething.org initiatives. They have identified their members as central to their data-driven decision making, and have taken the time to identify what ‘impact’ looks like for their organization. They suggest 3 characteristics of a data-informed organization.
The XYZ Factor is packed with so many insights from an incredibly innovative organization. It was hard to pick just two Insights as there are so many sprinkled in the pages of this book. There are numerous books on HR and organizational culture, but The XYZ Factor is a handbook for the 21st Century.
Alyssa Ruderman is a Campaigns Manager at DoSomething.org, where she conducts research, formulates strategy, and project manages the execution of cause campaigns that give young people the tools to take action. Prior to joining DoSomething.org, Alyssa studied Public Relations, Business, and Sociology at The Pennsylvania State University. She is an Americorp alumna and worked as a job counselor for New York City’s homeless population.
