To respond to this week's post, pay conscious attention to the corporate culture at your internship site for a day or two. Corporate culture refers to the "personality" of a workplace. It defines "how things get done around here." The culture of an organization guides the way employees think, act, and feel at work. A good fit between an employee and the culture almost guarantees success and happiness and, one could argue, may make the difference between a job and a career.
Please read the short article "Six Components of a Great Corporate Culture at https://hbr.org/2013/05/six-components-of-culture.
The author argues that a good corporate culture is vital to the success of any company and lists the six things he thinks are most important to building that culture. Throughout the article he offers links to articles that expand and support his ideas. He and other authors I've read maintain that understanding an organization's culture is one of the most important things you can do when searching for a career.
Choose two or three of the components of culture mentioned in the article and describe your internship's culture in these areas. Then talk about how this culture fits with what you would look for in a work environment. All else being equal (in other words, if the work were the kind of work you want to do), is this the place for you?
Don't forget to come back to read, comment and answer questions.
IPTC has papers around the clinic that state their values. The main idea is that they want to help patients as much as possible in a timely manner. The clinicians all do an amazing job of implementing these values in practice. I could definitely see myself in an environment like this one.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting how they put their values on paper and put it all around the building. I feel like a lot of people just put their values on their website but that shows that they practice their values too
DeleteI think it's a very good idea to post your values around your workplace because, in many cases, it's the workers that need to remember them.
DeleteI would agree that we all sometimes need a reminder of why (and how) we are doing what we're doing, and having values posted is a good reminder. As a patient, I appreciate the value of timeliness!
DeleteIt's very interesting that they state their values in many places around the clinic.
DeleteRader Clinic's corporate culture is highly influenced by the Army, as it is in Fort Myer and many soldiers work in the clinic. Since Rader is located inside an Army base and was paid for by the government, it is a very simple building with just the right amount of space for each specialty. The clinic is also located next to Arlington Cemetery and many soldiers train around that area, so its place also reminds visitors of the sacrifices the soldiers have to make, which is very humbling. Rader Clinic's place also affects its values; the clinic has many of the same values that the Army does - efficiency, service, and respectfulness. Because the people who go to Rader serve the country, the employees there want to give them the best service possible (in a style more specific to the military) to thank them. Some of the people who work at Rader are enlisted, but a lot of them are civilians. The people in each specialty are very close and have a very family-like environment. Everyone there is very friendly and talkative, and they really seem to care about you when they are speaking to you. This creates a very positive environment.
ReplyDeleteWith all of these parts of the culture considered, I think I would want to work somewhere that would have the same kind of welcoming dynamic and people as Rader Clinic, but I would not necessarily want to work in a place that has a big military presence. I feel as though military leadership in the clinic can sometimes lead to an tense environment, and I would not want to have to work in that kind of situation.
Cool insight! Having friendly people at the office is actually pretty inspiring. It lets you express to ask questions and learn more. :-)
DeleteI like that their values come down to appreciation for a big cause like soldiers fighting for our country.
DeleteI think you're right about the Army influencing the environment at Rader, but do you think the values would be different in a civilian medical clinic?
DeleteWhat arrives to the forefront of my mind is the harmonious and seemingly close bond between the employees there. Everyone makes an effort to lighten the mood and jokes around when it seems fit. This dynamic reminds me that working in an office setting does not always have to be a wrought up process. This particular element in the office is, I think, are components of both people and place. Being said, I imagine myself in a somewhat laidback environment... maybe with a hint of competition.
ReplyDeleteIt must be really nice to see that the employees are such great friends! I hope that I become friends with my coworkers at my future job.
DeleteThis sounds like a great work environment! What about competition do you think would make your experience in the workplace better?
DeleteDo you think the size of the office (ie number of employees) affects their ability to work in harmony? Is it possible to "compete" and still have a close bond?
DeleteThat's really nice that all the employees like each other! That must make the office more pleasant to work in.
DeleteBeing friends with your co workers is important because it is easier to be open with a friend. it is also good because people who are close work better together.
DeleteWhat I like about APS Design and Construction is how everyone treats everyone else equally. Though some people hold higher positions than others, everyone in the office treats everyone in the same way, and everyone helps each other out with their projects even if their problems are different. I can really feel the bonds that everyone has built over the years. Everyone is always setting up social events so that they can put aside their pressures and have fun. In fact, we went to a putt-putt and candy bar at Rosslyn on Friday because one of the PM's is leaving on the 31st, so this was our way to bid farewell. I would definitely see myself working in a friendly and cooperative environment like this one.
ReplyDeleteIt is awesome to work in such a friendly environment! At Rader Clinic, they seem to always have a social event going on, so I can relate to your experiences. It has been really fun for me, and I am sure it has been fun for you as well!
DeleteIt's great that everyone is treated equally! I feel like that in itself is a huge sign that you're in a friendly work environment.
DeleteHow important do you think the social events are to the culture of the department?
DeleteI'm glad you noticed that no one there "pulls rank." Is that important to you?
It's so important to have an atmosphere that can be both professional and fun! It's great that you found yourself in such a great work environment. I can also relate.
DeleteI love when work environments are fun. It is really important as it helps keep up moral. At my internship site, there was always a lot of fun to be had when there wasn't a lot of work to do.
DeleteA friendly environment is important because it makes you want to go to work. It is also a good idea to be able to have fun with your co workers.
DeleteNOVA Web Development shows a very strong culture in both the "Values" and "Practices" components. For the values, they definitely value openness and transparency, as well as having an equality stance. They put these values into practice by posting a link of all conversation about products they work on, so that customers know exactly what is going on. They also make sure that all their code is available to the public, so no one has to pay for it. That goes along with the transparency and openness values, as well as equality - everyone should be able to access code in their eyes. Putting this kind of work to the side, I like the idea of transparency and honesty in a workplace because I know that means they are working with good morals. I wouldn't hate to work at a place like that
ReplyDeleteTheir transparency with the public is very impressive and quite interesting. I definitely think we need more companies to be doing that.
DeleteIt is very difficult to work in a business in which there is no - or little - transparency. You're never sure exactly what is going on or where you stand. Expanding this to the public is impressive.
DeleteThat's really noble of NOVA Web Development. However, I wonder if there are any downsides to this level of transparency...?
DeleteNOVA Web Development has very strong values, that they back up with their practices. Of their values, the most important one is probably openness. To demonstrate this value, they release all of their chat logs to the public online, use only open source software, and open some of their code to the public.
ReplyDeletePersonally, openness is not a value that I feel strongly about in this case. I don't think it would be a significant factor in choosing a company in the future. The fact that they are so loyal to their values, though, I would consider a very good sign.
It's really neat that the place where you're working has such a transparent policy around code and internal management! What are some values besides openness that may be more important to you in choosing a career?
DeleteMostly things that would directly effect me as an employee, I guess? I mean, openness is hardly a negative, but in an entry level position, it wouldn't actually effect my job much.
DeleteAs I mentioned to Kevin, working in a company that is not open about the work and corporate intentions or goals is very difficult. Even as a "low level" employee it can make you feel on edge.
DeletePlace- Cherrydale Vet is very small and cozy- there is very little space in between clients and employees, which allows for better communication both between employees and between employees and clients. I will definitely be looking for a smaller workplace such as the Cherrydale Vet in my future career.
ReplyDeleteVision - Cherrydale Vet states its mission very clearly: "Dedicated to enhancing the physical and psychological well being of people by enhancing the quality of life and longevity of their pets". I believe that this vision helps guide all of the decisions made by everyone, from the most mundane to the most difficult. This creates a solid moral compass to guide everyone, allowing the fundamental question of each decision to become 'does this match up with our mission?' It allows for employees to have a guiding principle to follow and minimizes internal conflict. Again, a mission statement such as this will be something I look for in future jobs.
It is so great that this internship has helped you narrow down what type of a workplace you would lokk for in the future!
DeleteI think that's a very interesting perspective for a vet. In my experience, people who really love animals sometimes lose sight of the needs of the people who interact with the animals every day.
DeleteStantec definitely have the people aspect. They have employees who either share its core values or possess the willingness and ability to embrace those values. They can joke around with each other but still keep a level of professionalism that is healthy for the office. their values are to be a family while being a professional, international cooperation. We have meetings every other monday where we talk about where we are in our projects, it helps us communicate and relax a bit during the day.
ReplyDeleteI think it's wonderful to see that a company can be employee-friendly while still being professional -- and successful in its field.
DeleteValues: The staff at the Rader Clinic adhere to strong principles consistent with the U.S. Army's core values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. Loyalty to one's country is easiest to recognize, as is the principle of respect that soldiers must give to higher ranking officers as well as to one another. Duty is the job each person sets out to do each day—everyone has a specific job title and can tell you exactly why they are there and what they are working for. Personal courage is also easy to see among the active duty staff at the Rader Clinic—the way that they carry themselves and the confidence they exude is something I really admire.
ReplyDeleteVision: Every morning, all of the department heads come together for what they call a "huddle" in front of the commander's office. The group goes around the circle and each person briefs the rest of the clinic on the status of their department's mission, safety, and people (staff); therefore, every single morning comes with a reminder of the importance of their jobs and the common goal that everyone at the Rader Clinic is working towards: providing the highest standard of care possible to the military personnel and their families who have chosen to trust them with their health.
The culture of the Rader Clinic is exactly what I look for in a future career. Everyone is united in working in service of their country, there is a common vision and mission on every employee's mind when they come into work each day, and they stick to a set of values that I too wish to one day live up to.
I think it's very interesting - and laudable - that the folks at Rader remind themselves of their vision on a daily basis and also that communication is so important among the staff.
DeleteThe unique culture at Rader Clinic is due to it being an Army health clinic. It is so different from any that I have ever experienced before
ReplyDeleteThe vision at Rader is very clear and it is to provide high quality healthcare to all their beneficiaries. This vision is something that they are always focused on. In the huddles everyday they report on "mission, people, and safety", which always keeps their vision straightforward and as a priority. They mission is always made sure to be implemented and clearly everyone is extremely committed to it.
The people at Rader are who make it even more special. The closeness and community that they have all created at their workplace is tremendous and highly impressive. Despite the fact that they all work in different departments and are in different ranks, they all treat each other with the utmost respect. There is always some type of event going on from breakfasts, and farewells, to barbecues and ice-cream parties. Everyone always has a smile on their faces and make their corporate culture very positive.
Another thing that stands out to me about Rader is that the employees make it quite easy for a new coworker to "break in" to the culture. This is not always the case: a close culture is sometimes a closed culture.
DeleteYour internship sounds amazing. I also chose to write about the people at my internship. It is so comforting to see professional adults welcome young interns with open arms.
DeleteTwo components of the Chamber of Commerce that are most prevalent are People and Values. The Chamber connects many businesses in Arlington, and the interactions with customers are genuine and friendly. The employees of the Chamber love connecting with others and continuing business relationships which lead to success. The Chamber's values are also very beneficial to both the employee and the consumer. It prioritizes the consumer and their happiness, while also knowing the employee deserves respect. Each person has their own job, and deals with their area of expertise. The work culture is very respectful yet relaxed, and I would love working in a place with a similar work culture.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that you - and most of the others I've read so far - are not in high-stress work environments. Could it be that employers are learning that stress is not conducive to being productive?
DeleteWhat I like about working at the CIM are the people and the vision. Everyone here has been so kind and supportive ever since I got here and are such a pleasure to work with. I think part of that comes from the nature of their vision. Their motto is "More rights for more people" and this seems to inspire them to work hard to be inclusive in all aspects of their jobs.
ReplyDeleteSo glad that the "people" in the motto also includes the people who are working there. That sometimes gets overlooked in a "service occupation!"
DeleteThinkabit Lab shows has a very strong culture in the "vision" and "people" components.
ReplyDeleteVision: The mission statement of the Thinkabit Lab is prominently hung in the lab. It is an Irwin Jacobs' quote, "Innovation isn't just for engineers." Since innovation and engineering are main focuses of Thinkabit Lab, this mission statement makes sense.
People: The people at Thinkabit Lab enjoy the work they do and love the environment in which they work. They create a fun and inspiring workplace.
In the future, I would like to work in a workplace with people who enjoy their job and a place that has a strong focus driving it.
I like how you mentioned that your coworkers enjoy what they do. When I wrote about the people at my internship, I just thought about their personalities and compassion, so I like your different approach.
DeleteI never even thought about the lab's vision, even though are Irwin Jacobs quotes everywhere! Nice insight.
DeleteIn my opinion, being passionate about the work you do is the most important thing. It sees you through the "drudge days," and there will always be those, no matter how much you love the work!
DeleteThe two components I saw in my workplace are vision and people. Since many of the people are in the military, a hard-working atmosphere is established. Even the patients are determined to fix whatever is wrong with them. I noticed in Physical Therapy that the patients do whatever they can to heal their injury. The vision at the clinic is also important. Everybody is focused on what needs to be done and safety is the number one priority.
ReplyDeleteI would like these values in the workplace, because it establishes a great connection between the doctors and patients. The doctors care for the patient's safety, and the patients react well to the doctors and are determined to work with the doctors to heal.
I like that you noticed the interdependence of the doctors' and patients' attitudes. I think many in the medical field lose sight of the fact that their attitude can influence their patients' wellness.
DeleteI really agree! Especially with how you said that everyone is focused on one thing, which is safety.
DeleteThe two components that I chose to write about are people and place. The people at my internship have that amazing duality where they can put aside work for a minute and be your friend, but they can also be your coworker or your boss (serious and professional).
ReplyDeleteThe place that I am interning at, Georgetown University, is spectacular because of the many different departments and resources available. Everyone has so many connections both at the university and beyond it. The architecture is beautiful and there are a variety of restaurants and activities to do both on and off campus.
I completely agree. The atmosphere of working at Georgetown is enchanting
DeleteThe ability to be your friend and also your supervisor is not something everyone can carry off. I think it takes determination and practice!
DeleteThe two things I saw the most were Vision and Practices. At AETV, we are constantly focused on providing quality videos to the public, so that often comes as a first when getting things done. We also try to reinforce practices when we make videos. A lot of it revolves around how we can be better producers. Everyone drives to make better videos and our vision and practices reflect that.
ReplyDeleteIt's really cool that you guys constantly focus on improvement, even while in the midst of a project.
Deletedo you think it helps that you have a tangible product associated with your work?
DeleteAt the Thinkabit lab, the aspects of People and Space really stand out to me the most in terms of workplace culture. Everyone is very supportive of everyone else's projects, while simultaneously pointing out potential sources of error. It is a group who focuses on a shared value of collective progress. The workspace is also set up to be very dynamic. There are lots of comfortable places to set up and work (like bean bags!), and the lab is filled with any tools you could ever need for engineering projects. It really helps foster the collaborative and inventive nature of the lab. In the future, I would love to work at a place that shares these same components.
ReplyDeleteHow much do you think the culture is influenced by the work products of the lab? Do the same values apply to the teaching that is also part of the mission?
DeleteIt's amazing how people at your workplace are so supportive, and that's especially important considering a lot of the work you guys do is related to problem-solving.
DeleteTwo components I see in my workplace are practice and people. Without my mentor and everybody working together to make this online course, it would be impossible. John Kline is quite passionate about the subject he's teaching which makes him an inspiring person to follow and continue researching content for this class. The other component I see often is practice. We are constantly looking over the guidelines, rules, and layout of the course and editing parts of it for it to improve. This would be impossible without the basic ideas written down for everyone to comment on.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as thought openness is also valued as part of the culture. People are willing to share their work for critiquing and don't insist on ownership. Yes?
DeleteStantec architecture excels in all of the components talked about in the article. I think the standout components are their vision and their values. Stantec's vision is clear. They want to create the highest quality buildings they can. They don't recycle old building and put them on different sites. They don't have a standard design that they try to fit to every situation. Each project is different and comes with different needs. The buildings are built for different people with different goals. They do all they can to fit these people with building that fit them. Their values are also right on point. They care about the people first. They don't make excuses for poor jobs, they just put their head to the grind stone and get the job done. This initiative is definitely something I will look for in an employer. I want to work somewhere where I don't have to go through a moral guilt trip every time I go home. I want somewhere that puts people first.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really innovative company considering that it doesn't recycle buildings so it always has to create new designs. I think that is a great vision for an architecture firm.
DeleteExcellent insight, Charlie. A clear conscience and belief in what you are doing = a good night's sleep!
DeletePeople: There are almost 30 interns at the Thinkabit lab. Everyone works on their own projects and also are supportive of others'. They all love what they do and create a fun workspace. In the future, I hope to work with lively and motivated people like everyone at the Thinkabit lab.
ReplyDeleteVision: The Thinkabit lab has a big mission to spread innovation and STEM learning to students around the NOVA area. During June and July, many camps and school groups got to come to the lab and obtained their foundation to innovation and engineering. Just like the lab, in the future, I hope to work at a place that impacts people's lives directly and greatly.
Knowing that you want to have a positive impact on others as a result of your work is an important insight. There ae many ways to do this, but it is certainly not a part of all professions.
DeleteCunningham Turch is a very different environment than most workplaces and its culture differs a lot. Cunningham Turch has a unique vision. The statement on their sign and what they say when they answer the phone is “life celebration home”. They want to help the families celebrate the deceased person’s life, not just get their money. I like that their goal isn’t a large profit margin like the big corporations. If I were to work for a funeral home, I would rather work for an independent home even though I would probably make less. I like that it is more oriented towards the families.
ReplyDeleteThe location of the funeral home is the opposite of modern. It was designed to look like a late 1800s funeral home with some modern accents. The front office and the other office are adjacent to each other and are connected by a door. This allows for easy communication with the staff. Even though the building has a closed floor plan, there are phones in most parts of the building so it is easy for everyone to talk to each other. I prefer an open floor plan in a home but at a business I like the closed floor plan. Being able to see so much at once can be distracting for me and would hinder my work. I like that the building isn’t so big that I have trouble finding people but I can get away for a moment if I have to.
Excellent insights! I know from personal experience how important it is to have caring people working with you when planning a loved one's funeral.
ReplyDeleteArlington summer school/APS has a different corporate culture/environment that most and differs greatly from the regular school year. All six components outlined in the article can be found in this workplace environment but Vision and People are the core components to this environment. The vision for summer school is clear. APS wants to ensure its students do not fall behind in any specific subject whilst preparing them for the upcoming school year. However, it is a little deeper than that. The students enrolled in summer school are generally there for three reasons; they failed the course/SOL, they want a better grade, or they are new to APS/do not speak English. These students are discouraged and reluctant to try again for fear of failing. The teachers and faculty there want to teach the students to love this subject again. It sounds cliche but it is hard to succeed when you believe you cannot, and summer school aims to reverse that discouraging mindset.
ReplyDeleteAs for the second component, summer school, and school in general, is successful because of the people. The students, the teachers, the administrators, and other staff all come together to learn or to teach. The people, especially the teachers, are the mood makers and create the necessary supportive environment to increase the success of their students.
While it is have been wonderful to be a part of I do not think this workplace is for me. This workplace seems too busy, disorganized, and too vague/broad. The hustle and bustle of school would be overwhelming for me to work in and I don’t like working with large groups of people.
It's great to see that you have a better idea for what kind of environment you want to be in because of this workplace.
DeleteThese are excellent insights. Your empathy will take you far, not just at work, but in life.
ReplyDeleteThe people in my work place was a very strong component of livin' the pie life's culture. Everyone was very nice and helpful to each other and to the customers. It also had good values because they would not sell any product that they thought did not stand up to its values even if it seemed like it tasted good to me ( workers are allowed to eat the "bad stuff"). The place was also good because when we were working we did not feel closed off. We could interact with the customers, we could see across the kitchen and the atmosphere was inviting and kind. This is the kind of place I would want to work in because the people are nice it was inviting to workers and customers.
ReplyDeleteCustomer service doesn't always extend to the workers; I'm glad it did for you!
DeleteA component of culture mentioned in the article that describe my internship's environment is the open architecture structure. No one works in a completely closed environment. The employees have the freedom of walking around to other people's work desk and easily getting what they need to do their own job or even to talk. Speaking of employees talking to each other, another component of culture mentioned in the article that is present in the office is people. The people in the General District Court share the same attitudes and work ethics, so it keeps the environment conflict-free. If this work were the kind of work I wanted to do, I would definitely enjoy this environment. I'm not big on a lot of restraints or an isolated environment, so this type of environment was something I enjoyed very much.
ReplyDeleteGood insights. What kind of company would you look for in your area of career interest; where do you think you could find these values?
DeleteMy internship definitely emphasizes vision, because my mentor's vision of the perfect art class setting is real. I think that vision is an important factor because I want to work for someone who embraces creativity and allows others to see the same vision. The companies ideals, actions, and organization, all revolve around peoples core vision. My mentor also practices what he preaches which makes him not only a great teacher but an understanding one. He gets how to do things and is capable of helping other people understand as well. I think that I would want to work in an environment that embraces this kind of behavior on an ongoing basis. Fulfilling company promises only comes from being proactive which is derive also derived from practice.
ReplyDeleteDoes your vision of your future career mesh with that of this studio?
DeleteIn my opinion, Rader's culture is based on values and vision.
ReplyDeleteSince Rader is a military clinic, they have many values. The soldiers, the doctors, the people they all have one mission, which is to serve their nation. This also ties into the vision of Rader. I noticed this when i was taken to a daily huddle which is a meeting that happens at 8:45 A.M. everyday to discuss every department's mission and if they're set for the day. This really showed me a new perspective on healthcare because everyone's goal was to make sure things go well.
Several people mentioned Rader's "daily huddle." This seems like an efficient way to be sure the mission stays in everyone's mind and is fulfilled.
DeleteThe Arlington County Courthouse is distinct cultural components. Among them are its values. I say that because everyone that walks into our office/level of the building is treated the same way and with dignity and respect. I have helped so many people over the phone and at times I was even told to hold up on them or transfer them to a different department within the court. I would always then call them back and make sure they got the help they needed. I do that not because I like to do it, but because it is what my colleagues do and they tell me to always make sure that a customer gets what he needs and some more. I really appreciate my internship site for its enriched culture and ethics. They value every customer no matter what. I also like the fact that is is in a very diverse and populous area. I meet people of all different parts of the world all coming in and out of one room. I got to interact with them and solve their problems. That is something that I take great pride in and I love the fact that I get to do it.
ReplyDeleteI love that the people at the Courthouse check up to be sure each person gets the assistance they need. Wish more organizations did that!
Delete