MEMBER MINUTES

From Values to Habits: Making Culture Real in Your Organization

About This Episode

Al Curnow, Vice President of CultureWise, shares why company culture should never be left to chance. From defining clear, behavior-based values to reinforcing them through simple weekly practices, Al explains how intentional culture-building can drive engagement, retention, and long-term performance. Drawing on real examples from MHEDA member companies, this conversation highlights how strong cultures create shared language, empowered leaders, and helps organizations thrive — even in times of change.

Listen to the Audio Podcast

Building an Intentional Culture That Drives Performance

Company culture doesn’t happen by accident — and when it’s done right, it can transform everything from employee engagement to business performance.

In this episode, host Katie Richards sits down with Al Curnow, Vice President of CultureWise, to explore why culture matters, how leaders can shape it intentionally, and what consistent reinforcement looks like in practice.

Drawing on real-world examples from MHEDA member companies, Al shares how clearly defined behaviors, weekly rituals, and shared language can help organizations build strong foundations that support growth, retention, and leadership development — even during challenging times.

Whether you’re just beginning to think about culture or looking to strengthen what’s already in place, this conversation offers practical insights and a refreshingly simple approach to creating a workplace where people — and businesses — thrive.

Key Topics Discussed
  • Why culture exists in every organization — whether it’s intentional or not
  • How defining clear, behavior-based expectations creates shared language and alignment
  • Simple ways leaders can reinforce culture without adding extra meetings or complexity
  • Real success stories from MHEDA member companies using CultureWise
  • How strong cultures support retention, leadership development, and long-term growth
About Al Curnow

Al Curnow is the Vice President of CultureWise and works with organizations around the world to help leaders intentionally design, drive, and sustain high-performing cultures. With more than a decade of experience and hundreds of client partnerships, Al specializes in translating values into everyday behaviors that improve performance, engagement, and accountability.

About the Member Minutes Podcast

Katie Richards is MHEDA’s Membership and Advocacy Manager, dedicated to fostering strong connections within the material handling industry. With a background in member engagement and industry advocacy, Katie brings insightful conversations to Member Minutes, where she highlights the journeys, expertise, and contributions of members. Through engaging interviews, she provides valuable perspectives on leadership, business growth, and industry trends. Member Minutes offers a platform for members to share their stories, connect with peers, and stay informed on key topics shaping the material handling industry.

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Gene Marks

CPA, National Business Columnist, Author & Speaker

Gene Marks is a past columnist for both The New York Times and The Washington Post. Gene now writes regularly for The Hill, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Forbes, Entrepreneur, The Washington Times, and The Guardian. Gene is a best-selling author and has written 5 books on business management. Gene appears on Fox Business, MSNBC, as well as CBS Eye on the World with John Batchelor and SiriusXM’s Wharton Business Channel where he talks about the financial, economic and technology issues that affect business leaders today. Gene helps business owners, executives and managers understand the political, economic and technological trends that will affect their companies and provides actionable insights.

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