Blog 3 - CME
Now, even though mining and resources industry may not be as exciting and fun to some people as fashion or sport, it has been very enlightening and interesting to be exposed to a completely different industry to what I’m used to. My previous job has invloved intensive event management and to see the flip side of that coin has been an experience! The people I’ve met and industry issues and events I’ve been exposed to have made me feel a part of something bigger. Without the resources industry the Australian economy wouldn’t be as strong as it is during this time of such international economic uncertainty. To be a part of the peak representative body (The Chamber of Minerals and Energy) who are the voice of the WA resources sector is exciting. The people I have worked with and met have had extensive experience in everything from politics to law, economics and teaching and bring something different to a diverse team.
Last night I attended a staff function where we enjoyed a 7 course degustation meal as we seat swapped (speed dating style) to a different table with each new course!
This allowed me to talk to people in the organisation I hadn’t had the privilege to speak extensively with before. Office enviroments tend to get so busy with deadlines and meeting you dont have time to get to know people as well as you should. This night was as a thank you reward to everyone for their hard work and really gave a boost to everyone’s engagement and morale. It’s very important to build a strong corporate culture. As Cass Bettinger, (1999, “Use Corporate Culture to Trigger High Performance”) discusses in the Journal of Business Strategy, its about using corporate culture to trigger high performance. Shes says “the challenge is to manage the organization's culture so that you can tap the company's strengths to achieve superior performance and identify its weaknesses in time to overcome them before they cause serious damage” (Use Corporate Culture to Trigger High Performance, 1999). I believe it’s very important to make people feel like the work that they do is appreciated and valued, even though it’s what they are essentially paid to do. People are more likely to perform better and work harder in that type of environment as opposed to negative, unappreciative and un-incentive based environment.
What have your work places done to foster a culture of unity, fun and incentives???
-Lydia14266359
2 comments:
Hey Lydia,
It's good to hear that you are enjoying your placement! I absolutely agree with what you said about building a positive corporate culture! It's very easy to get stuck in a work routine where everyone goes to work just to do what they need to and then leave.I definitely think that changing things up in the workplace (either having a function or afternoon tea or even a 7 course degustation meal like you had) makes employees WANT to go to work and work harder.
I have found that when I worked at places where they had occasional outings or staff appreciation meetings, the corporate culture was more fun and positive. I think that this is something that every organisation needs to think about and incorporate.
Thanks for bringing up such an interesting topic and I look forward to reading your future blogs.
Amy (13948287)
Bentley Campus
Hey Lydia,
Long time no speak :)
It makes me happy to read about another organisation that is so focused on people capital and not just bottom line profits and deadlines.
Where I am working, Department of Sport and Recreation, there is a massive focus on keeping staff fit and healthy. Initiatives such as free massages during the day, free ergonomic assessment of your work area, walking groups at lunch and a sports room full of every type of sporting equipment just makes it that little bit more enjoyable to work at!
Sure there are deadlines, but I believe that because the staff are so much more relaxed, ideas flow more freely and everyone is a lot more hospitable and warm to their team members.
That's a brilliant insight into the inner workings of a corporate culture and I am sure there are a lot of businesses out there that would benefit greatly from such measures.
Now to work on getting a 7 course degustation menu during a lunch break next week ! Hahaha..
Take care,
Kieran
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