The CT CultureScan©

“When the culture is strong, you can trust everyone to do the right thing.”

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— Brian Chesky, Co-founder and CEO, Airbnb

Why culture matters now

In a sector under pressure, from financial constraints and regulatory scrutiny to the need for greater customer focus, organisational culture is more important than ever. Culture affects everything: recruitment and retention, decision-making, innovation, collaboration, and value for money. Yet, for many organisations, culture remains hard to pin down and even harder to influence effectively.

The CultureScan© is a proven, diagnostic tool designed to help organisations, particularly registered providers of social housing, gain a clear, objective, and actionable view of their culture. Now in its sixth year of operation and informed by a robust and growing data set from across the sector, the CultureScan offers clients a tangible way to understand their unique cultural DNA and take purposeful steps toward a more effective, inclusive, and high-performing workplace.

What the CultureScan does

The CultureScan holds up a mirror to your organisation. It translates complex cultural dynamics into clear language and actionable insights. Unlike generic engagement or satisfaction surveys, it uncovers the underlying drivers of your culture—the patterns of belief, communication, and leadership that influence how your organisation really works.

Whether you’re planning transformation, seeking greater cohesion, or simply want a culture health check, The CultureScan provides intelligence that is:

• Objective – Grounded in evidence, not assumptions
• Comprehensive – A whole-organisation view across seven cultural pillars
• Comparable – Benchmarkable against anonymised peer data
• Actionable – With clear short-term wins and longer-term strategic value

What you get

Each client receives a comprehensive report, including:

• Culture on a page – A visual radar showing where you stand on each cultural pillar.
• Your cultural DNA – How the culture is experienced across roles and teams, including points of tension or strength.
• Benchmarks – Comparisons against anonymised sector peers.
• Insights by demographic and department – Pinpointing where culture is thriving or under strain.
• Deep dive on inclusion – Based on qualitative and quantitative feedback.
• Action plan – Practical steps to maintain what’s working and improve where needed.
• Optional extras – These include a board or leadership presentation, and a facilitated session to co-design your next steps.

How it works

The CultureScan process is tailored to your context. It typically includes:

1. Pre-Scan session – To agree on objectives and tailor the focus.
2. Online survey – For all staff, board, and volunteers.
3. Focus groups or interviews – To bring depth and clarity to the findings.
4. Comparative analysis – Mapping your culture against peers and aspirations.

A recent case example:

In one housing provider, The CultureScan highlighted that while senior leaders and customer-facing staff felt aligned with the organisation’s values, middle managers felt disconnected and under pressure. This insight led to targeted support that improved communication flow and cohesion across the organisation.

When to use the CultureScan

The CultureScan is especially valuable when:

• Planning or undergoing transformation or growth
• Embedding or evaluating organisational values
• Improving engagement, retention, or cross-team working
• Navigating merger integration
• Making the case for cultural change with evidence

The seven pillars of positive culture

The CultureScan assesses your culture across seven defining characteristics, each linked to either a positive attribute or a shadow side that can inhibit or block progress:

1. Contented (or Dissatisfied)
2. Empowered (or Instructed)
3. Structured (or Sloppy)
4. Engaged (or Remote)
5. Agile (or Rigid)
6. Progressive (or Defensive)
7. Aligned (or Fragmented)

What clients say