What was the culture within Bloomberg L.P?

The Bloomberg L.P culture values employees over everything else. The company strives to maintain a flat organizational structure which is less formal and places equality on employees with information easily accessible to all levels of the company. Michael Bloomberg places positive organizational culture as a priority as he felt that valuing new ideas and open communication over job titles would serve to motivate employees and help the company succeed. All aspects of the company are seen to be developed with an employee-centered corporate culture. There are no offices or enclosed meeting rooms; all employees, even the CEO and the editor-in-chief, sit in long rows of terminal-laden desks. Even the location of Bloomberg L.P fosters open communication.

Bloomberg employs a hybrid culture: market and clan culture. The reason for this lies in the emphasis it places on individual performance in its sale division; the more platforms a representative sells, the higher his or her bonus. This also partially lies in the fraternal relationship among the employees, collective initiative, and a deep sense of tradition and style.

Each and every employee is told what is expected of them at work, illustrating a control-based culture with rules and regulations, reinforced by constant supervision. Any employee that feels they are lacking in a particular field are also referred to training; all employees can enroll in Bloomberg University, an online learning resource, to improve their knowledge across a multitude of subject areas. Moreover, assistance is given in funding job-related external training towards professional qualifications.

Bloomberg’s culture is most reflective of its namesake and founder, Michael Bloomberg. Like Bloomberg, a self-proclaimed workaholic, Bloomberg LP employees often complain of a punishing work schedule as analysts say 14-hour days are routine. Even Matthew Winkler, the editor-in-chief of Bloomberg news, arrives at work at 6AM and returns home only at 7PM on most days. Nevertheless, the overall culture at Bloomberg L.P is very much open, friendly, and well-driven.  According to the interviews conducted of employees on the Bloomberg L.P website, it appears they have organizational commitment; many say they were happy to work at the organization.