I actually think a few of the points Gary Hamel made in his article "The Facebook Generation" will be good for businesses. I think it's great the way the internet is effecting businesses. The company I work for, Select Design, is extremely successful, yet the two owners still come into the office and walk around our production department. They know everyone's names, and if you have an opinion on something they will listen and consider it. So many larger corporations such as Apple, Facebook and other web or technology based companies are adopting this "small town" feel to their offices and I think it's great for moral. I also love the emphasis on creativity and profit sharing that we've seen lately. No business is successful without the web and social media. It's important to include that in your company.
The only thing that really bothers me is the internet's influence on work ethic. I have seen quite a few younger kids right out of college that will walk out of meetings, throw fits, and send out insulting emails to colleagues. This kind of attitude of "I want to get my way no matter what" and "I don't have to do what you tell me to do" is so infuriating. Sometimes you have to do what your boss/leader says. You don't always get to choose what you do, and there will come days where you have to force yourself to do stuff.
It's hard to hear about young people being so immature, but lets hope that is not the typical person in the work place of that age group, but just the ones who need to grow up.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you 100% Cynthia!! I love that the founders of the company that I work for call me by my name and that they truly make me feel like my opinion counts. They also make it very clear to everyone that they DO NOT want anyone neglecting their home life for work. We are made to have a healthy balance.
ReplyDeleteAt my old place of employement we had people that would close their eyes during meetings and nap because they felt what was being said wasn't important. We also had some storm out because they did not like that they were being told that they had to do their jobs. All of these people were in their early to mid twenties. I believe this offive behavior has less to do with the internet and more to do with the fact that they have never been disaplined.
Of course that's just my opinion :)
I have to agree with you about the whole work ethic thing. I have had to employ care givers for a member of my family and they all start out with an attitude of "I'm here to do whatever you need." Eventually the electronics come out and their work attitude shifts in a massive way. They lose focus and are more concerned about getting what they want and not doing the job they were hired for. I have finally come to the place that I will no longer hire someone to help my family because good help is almost impossible to find any more.
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