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Sunday, November 20, 2011

Corporate Work Culture

The profession of business ethics has long needed a highly practical resource that is designed particularly for leaders and managers—those people charged to ensure ethical practices in their organizations. Unfortunately, far too many resources about business ethics end up being designed primarily for philosophers, academics and social critics. As a result, leaders and managers struggle to really be able to make use of the resources at all.

It has become a practice in interfering in others personal life, enhancing curiosity in irrelevant topics. Compared to earlier days people are very much busy with their personal, business and work life. They are trying to balance everything. It is ridiculous though we have very less time; some people will be spending their time talking about others behaviour and their personal life. Youth is more interested in such kind of topics, but this bad habit effects negatively in future. If we cross the boundaries and interfere with others life we feel stressed and agitated. That is why it is better to concentrate on our work. If we follow the golden principle, “take good things from others and desert bad things”, our life will be always cool, happy and dispute free. Remember what Swami Vivekananda said: “Instead of wasting time it is better to maintain silence and concentrate on our career and family by preparing yourself like a powerful machine”.

When you join a new job, people will accept you based on your professional competence. If you are professionally competent and innovative in your ideas, many doors open for you. Innovation and taking initiatives are very important. Take initiative to do what others have not done. Control your mind and train it for the good work atmosphere. Try to avoid gossiping for long hours. Sometimes gossiping is good to some extent which will refresh your mind.

The eternal fact in the world is nobody is perfect and has all good qualities. That is why better to see the good things and talk about good nature of others. It has become usual practice in work atmosphere, when two people are meeting up, they will start talking badly about the third person and get temporary enjoyment. This habit is just like intoxication. It will degrade our dignity and character. Without our knowledge we are becoming villains in the society which may not lead to optimum utilisation of resources.

Presently at work, we find maximum speakers and minimum listeners. Remember the fact, God has given us two ears to listen more, one mouth to talk less, but in practice most of us are quite reverse. One most important thing is never give advice without request from others. It is harmful to our self-respect.

Never express your inner feeling to everybody. Some people say that “I am open minded; I never hide anything in my mind”. These kinds of people will be dangerous. It is not necessary to express everything about yourself to others. You are not an open book for others. Decide about your limitations, boundaries with others and speak. Invite only very few people into your personal matters. Follow the concept of Mr. Promod Batra who is a freelancer in taking workshops and Seminars on Personality Development topics. “Always behave like a Duck – Stay calm and unruffled on the surface, but paddle like the devil underneath”. This concept looks good, but difficult to practice, but remember the adage nothing is impossible for willing heart. Keep cool and you recommend the same to everybody.
Concentrate on your SWOT analysis and do it today:
Concentrate on your Strengths
Recognize your weaknesses
Evaluate your opportunities
Research your threats
Learning the Corporate Culture
The Corporate Culture of an organization is the set of unwritten rules that dictate how the organization runs. As a new employee, rarely will there be someone who will teach these rules to you. Therefore, it is up to you to observe and watch the social interactions of your co-workers, to see “how things are done in this office.”
During your first days at the organization, keep your eyes and ears open and watch how the office runs. You will be evaluated not only for your work performance, as well as how well you “fit” into the company’s culture. For example, you might look for the following things:
•   Watch how your co-workers interact with each other. Are there certain cliques (groups) that you can see are formed? Is this an informal atmosphere where the co-workers are casual and friendly with each other? Or is it a formal atmosphere, that does not tolerate much socializing?
•    Watch to see how your co-workers complete their assignments. Is there a particular format that everyone appears to follow?
•   Is there a chain of authority that exists depending upon a person’s position within the company? That is, as a new employee, are there certain things that you are not “supposed to do” because you would be overstepping your boundaries?
•    What are your co-workers’ attitudes towards the supervisor (s)? Does the supervisor (s) tend to treat all employees the same or does it appear that some employees are given favoured assignments?
•   What type of office politics exist in the workplace? Are there certain unspoken policies and procedures that are followed?
•    Do individuals in the office tend to help one another, or is work carried out independently? Is this a competitive atmosphere, or is the management trying to promote a “family-like” atmosphere and encourage team-work?
•   Is there a person in the office who can officially or unofficially act as your mentor, and be a person that you can refer all your questions to, rather than having to ask your supervisor?
Start on the Right Foot
Try answering the following questions after you have been in the new setting for a few days. If you can get the answers to these questions, you’ll be off to a good start!!
Who
•    Who does what in your work environment?
•    To whom are you responsible?
•    Who are good sources for special types of information?
•    Who are the important people?
What
•    What are your responsibilities?
•    What specific tasks are you expected to do by yourself, with co-workers, with your supervisor?
•    What, if any office policies should you know? List them and check with supervisor to clarify, if necessary.
How
•    How does the work get done?
•    Do individuals help one another, or is work carried our independently?
•    Are you expected to seek instructions frequently, or is your work reviewed as you work?
•    How do you get in touch with the right person in case you are sick, or some emergency comes up?
Where
•    Where are important items to be kept?
•    Where can answers be found? (Ask questions about such details. People like to keep newcomers informed.)
•    Where do you fit into the organizational chart?
When
•    When are deadlines for work assignments?
•    When is the appropriate time to ask questions?
Employer Expectations
As a new employee, there are certain behaviors/characteristics the company will expect from you as an employee. Listed below are expectations the employer will have for you as an employee:
Initiative: Employers will expect you to complete your own job and if you haven’t been told what to do, look around to see what needs to be done and do it.
Willingness to Learn: Your employer will expect you to learn the way things are done in the company.
Willingness to Follow Directions: Always follow directions exactly as you are told.
Honesty: Employers will expect you to be honest and to tell the truth. Other forms of dishonesty on the job are: starting work late, leaving work early and stealing company property. Stealing time is the most costly form of dishonesty on the job. You “steal” time when you come in late or leave early.
Dependability: Your employer will expect you to be on the job every day and on time. If you will be absent or late, you must call your supervisor. If you have an appointment with your doctor, dentist, etc. let your supervisor know in advance. Try to make appointments before or after work so you won’t lose time from your job.
Enthusiasm: The most successful employees are those who are enthusiastic about their work.
Acceptance of Criticism: Criticism is the way a supervisor tells you how they want a job done. You are expected to improve because of it. Listen and learn from the constructive criticisms your supervisor will share with you. Try to see how it can help you become a better worker. Even if you feel the criticism is unfair, try not to lose your temper.
Loyalty: Show loyalty to your company.
Punctuality: Arrive at work on time and don’t leave early.
Dress Appropriately: Dress the way your co-workers do.
Ask for further instructions: If the task is unclear. Request clarification if you are unsure how to complete an assignment.
Be flexible and accept assignments that may not fall under your specified job duties, because of time and/or staff constraints.
Observe and respect chain of command. Learn what position each of your co-workers hold in the office and how their position relates to yours.
Conclusion: When someone offers to help you, accept the assistance pleasantly and with a smile. But don’t depend too much on others because they have their own jobs to do. If someone asks for your help never say “That is not my job.” It is good to share unpleasant tasks (duties) because sharing is important in working relationships. Also, remember if your work is finished you can offer to help someone else. Sharing work helps to build good relationships.
The following are the pre-requisites for success in a professional career:
•    Hardwork
•    Diligence
•    Sharp Mind
•    Sound Knowledge
•    A well developed personality
•    Initiative
•    Innovative Ideas/Solutions
•    Time Management
•    Leadership qualities
•    Good Communication Skills
    These cannot be developed in a day. It is to be evolved as the career starts and progresses. When in doubt, ask questions. Don’t hesitate (wait). When you need help, ask for it. But when you are sure of what you are doing, do it. People will respond to you if you let them know you want to learn and want to work.
30 seconds speech by Bryan Dyson- Former CEO of Coca Cola.
Imagine LIFE as a game in which you are juggling five balls in the air. They are work, family, health, friends and spirit and you are keeping all of these in the air.
You will soon understand that the work is like rubber ball, if you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls – family, health, friends and spirit are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for it.
Work efficiently in office hours and leave on time. Give the required time to your family, friends and have proper rest.
 Do not forget “Value has a value only if its value is valued”.
(The author is HOD – MBA Dept in Gurunanak Institute of Technology)

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