Inge Wulff’s approach to workplace culture is rooted in authenticity and purpose. In 2024, the Head of Brand and People at Simply Black Media led a company-wide revamp of job titles, descriptions, and performance metrics. Wulff has been named an Emerging Culture Creator in Culture Amp’s 2025 awards for her work in shaping a strong, people-first workplace culture.
A key part of the above-mentioned revamp was developing a robust competency framework, giving employees a clear view of how their skills align with distinct roles and growth opportunities within the company, and creating spaces where they can thrive.
To ensure employees feel supported and engaged, she has introduced structured initiatives, including:
– Annual goal setting: employees set both work-related and personal development goals at the start of the year, tracking progress each month.
– Monthly one-on-one meetings: employees meet regularly with their managers to discuss wins, challenges, wellness, and development progress.
– Bi-annual culture surveys: employees provide honest feedback on their workplace experience. Leaders then present findings to their teams and work together on action plans.
These initiatives provide clarity, encourage two-way feedback, and help to build a high-performance culture while keeping employees at the centre of decision-making.
For Wulff, workplace culture is about brand identity too. Simply Black Media is built on core values like People First, Purposeful, and Authenticity. Every initiative, whether related to branding or people, is shaped by these principles. ‘Our values dictate how we operate, and that’s the foundation of the Simply Black brand,’ she said.
One of the biggest challenges she has tackled is ensuring inclusivity across Simply Black’s diverse, pan-African workforce. Diverse cultural contexts means that policies must be flexible and equitable. A recent example of this is the company’s updated maternity policy, designed to better reflect the holistic needs of female employees.
Another challenge is securing buy-in for people-focused initiatives at all levels of the organisation. Wulff’s solution is the start with the ‘why’ before diving into the ‘how.’ ‘People and culture work require buy-in from leadership and employees alike. We always begin by explaining the purpose behind any initiative, ensuring alignment before moving forward.’
Culture Amp’s recognition celebrates forward-thinking leaders who integrate culture with business strategy, showing that employee well-being and engagement are essential to organisational success. Being named an Emerging Culture Creator has reinforced Wulff’s passion for designing meaningful employee experiences. ‘This recognition reaffirms that workplace culture is a strategic business priority, not just an HR function,’ she said.
Her advice for organisations looking to strengthen their workplace culture? ‘Start with a survey. Ask the uncomfortable questions and use that data to set clear, actionable goals. Culture isn’t built through posters and policies – it’s shaped by everyday actions and a shared commitment from leadership and employees.’
SIMPLY BLACK MEDIA
www.simplyblackmedia.com
