Originally posted by richhoeyI have worked for at least a dozen diferent organisations, from volunteer organisations to local and foreign owned companies to a farmer co-operatives. Some were terrible - but some I have taken a pride in. My current company is the best I have worked for - and I have stayed for a while, and battled to keep our culture alive through tough times.
I had one of those horrendous coroporate presentations today, in which the company I work for presented results of an employee survey. Apparently 56 per cent of us (or something - I was drifting off by this point) were proud to work for the organisation.
Now, I find the concept of pride in a private company - something only in existence to make wad-load ...[text shortened]... to exist. I just don't want to go round being proud about them.
Am I odd in this?
Rich.
So why do I like my company? We make something that you can look at and feel pride in having made it. We take in people and build up their skills. And we are exporting a product companies many times our size could not make and that provides all of us with a decent wage.
If your company is crap, why stay? Most places pay around the same so why put up with a place you are not proud to work for?
Originally posted by Paul DiracCould have been worse. I had a boss who was shocked to find out half his workforce was below average intelligence.
Not quite on topic, but a couple of weeks I was sitting next to a table of people who I gathered were co-workers doing lunch. One of them told of going to a meeting and having the boss start out by saying, "Fifty-three percent of you are late to work 100 percent of the time."
Originally posted by richhoeyYou are odd.
I had one of those horrendous coroporate presentations today, in which the company I work for presented results of an employee survey. Apparently 56 per cent of us (or something - I was drifting off by this point) were proud to work for the organisation.
Now, I find the concept of pride in a private company - something only in existence to make wad-load ...[text shortened]... to exist. I just don't want to go round being proud about them.
Am I odd in this?
Rich.
If you had any (ahem) big uns'
You would start your own company. Like I did.
And you would let others choose their car. Instead of dictating it to them.
Smirk.
Originally posted by richhoeyI find it strange that so many people find no reason to take pride in their company, or to work hard for their company. I think everyone can take pride in helping society work, and most every company contributes in some way. Why not feel pride in helping society work better? Do a good job no matter what you do. For example, what is the difference between working in purchasing at the phone company versus at a hospital? I have difficulty with the idea that working at the hospital is more important.
... I find the concept of pride in a private company ... really bizarre.
I really believe that (for most people) you must learn to work well for others before you can work well for yourself. Business is just too complicated to get it right on your own without practice first. I believe it is in each person's own interest to work hard and do a good job always. It's one of the best ways to improve yourself. Unfortunately, most people never get this. I have always tried to create more value than expected (years ago, by my bosses, now, by my customers), and this has always lead to better relationships.
What do you all think companies are for? To make wads of cash for their owners? Companies exists for one reason only -- they are fulfilling legitimate needs of people or businesses. Sometimes companies make money, mostly they don't. One of the main reasons they don't is that it is damn difficult to get employees to contribute at the level a company needs in order to become profitable. The other reasons are related to the general difficulties of getting something to work well, and to competition.
I have had my own company for ~15 years, and I have always worked far more than people who have regular jobs. Yet people I work with often assume that I have it easy because I have my own company.
Please consider at least taking pride in your work, if not your company, and work toward improving your company rather than contributing to its problems. If you truly cannot find value in your work (perhaps that value is simply providing for your family) try to find work that you can take pride in. Otherwise, start your own company or non-profit. You will quickly learn why you should admire the work of others.
P.s. - I think most of what I wrote applies to non-profits, if you substitute "able to acquire funding" for "profitable". I have several friends who run non-profits -- they experience most of the same problems I do.
Originally posted by richhoeyIt might seem much more noble to work for a hospital and save lives. But to build a first world hospital, to staff it, to supply it with the equipment and drugs required, and then treat patients on anything other than a fully chargable basis takes cash. And the only way this cash is obtained is to directly or indirectly tax a company which sells goods and services.
Now, I find the concept of pride in a private company - something only in existence to make wad-loads of cash for all the fat cats at the top - really bizarre. Don't get me wrong, I know they have to exist. I just don't want to go round being proud about them.
Am I odd in this?
Rich.
And if these drugs are imported, for every dollar it costs, you must export a dollars worth of goods.
Why not be proud of your company if its tax contribution keeps your public hospital going?