The story about Franklin’s competitor felt way too familiar. I’ve met people like that,smart, well-connected, tons of potential,but they burn out fast because they’re too busy showing off to actually run the business right.
Also totally agree on the perks part. If the top people are spending company money like it’s personal cash, it sets the tone for everyone else. I’ve seen that happen even in small teams. People pick up on that stuff real quick.
Quick question though. When you’re looking at a company from the outside, how do you even tell if the culture’s solid? It’s not like they advertise bad habits. Are there little signs you look for that give it away?
Good question, Blanca. The bad habits are easier to find today, as they're often published by employees on Reddit, Glassdoor, etc. Those should all be taken with a grain of salt, however, as those are the most upset current/former employees and may not represent the average experience at the company. Investigating the good habits requires more sleuthing and it comes from a combination of speaking with current/former employees, speaking with competitors and industry experts, reading local business journals, etc.
You’re absolutely right. I’ve actually checked out those forums and their social circles, and a lot of what they talk about are problems their companies are facing right now, plus some management issues. You know how it is,every company has those high-up people who basically do nothing. They get their jobs through connections or who knows what, but their skills probably don’t even match a janitor’s. Meanwhile, the folks who actually know what they’re doing have to take orders from these useless bosses. Anyone would get frustrated in that situation. Back when I was in Zurich, I once threw an ashtray at someone like that’s head (that was the old me, not who I am now). Bottom line is, it’s up to us managers and owners to really understand what our employees are dealing with and the kind of pressure they’re under.
The story about Franklin’s competitor felt way too familiar. I’ve met people like that,smart, well-connected, tons of potential,but they burn out fast because they’re too busy showing off to actually run the business right.
Also totally agree on the perks part. If the top people are spending company money like it’s personal cash, it sets the tone for everyone else. I’ve seen that happen even in small teams. People pick up on that stuff real quick.
Quick question though. When you’re looking at a company from the outside, how do you even tell if the culture’s solid? It’s not like they advertise bad habits. Are there little signs you look for that give it away?
Good question, Blanca. The bad habits are easier to find today, as they're often published by employees on Reddit, Glassdoor, etc. Those should all be taken with a grain of salt, however, as those are the most upset current/former employees and may not represent the average experience at the company. Investigating the good habits requires more sleuthing and it comes from a combination of speaking with current/former employees, speaking with competitors and industry experts, reading local business journals, etc.
You’re absolutely right. I’ve actually checked out those forums and their social circles, and a lot of what they talk about are problems their companies are facing right now, plus some management issues. You know how it is,every company has those high-up people who basically do nothing. They get their jobs through connections or who knows what, but their skills probably don’t even match a janitor’s. Meanwhile, the folks who actually know what they’re doing have to take orders from these useless bosses. Anyone would get frustrated in that situation. Back when I was in Zurich, I once threw an ashtray at someone like that’s head (that was the old me, not who I am now). Bottom line is, it’s up to us managers and owners to really understand what our employees are dealing with and the kind of pressure they’re under.
Safety first!
"Shareholders make money off the income statement, but they survive off the balance sheet”
-Edgar Wachenheim
Great job; one of your best notes yet!
Sidebar-secret to Southern cooking: just fry everything 😉