March 5, 2010

• I like older companies, how ‘bout you?

       I’ve worked for several companies over the years, mostly part-time, and all but two of them have survived the test of time. The first company I had the opportunity to work at was McDonald’s. Although one might not consider a statement such as “Welcome to McDonald’s, can I take your order please?” as one of profession, McDonald’s is a huge corporation that has been around for many, many years. My second job, which I started after my first year of college, had been a worldwide leader in the plastics manufacturing business for almost 40 years by the time I started. Working at a company that has been around through good times and bad and has withstood the test of time is a truly wonderful experience. Age-old companies can afford better wages, salaries and benefits packages, and generally have the right people in the right places with the right amount of specific work experience to solve almost any problems that may arise.

       Although young companies express a great deal of positivity and enthusiasm, they really don’t have the overall experience needed to handle unusual or unpredictable challenges that may arise, and most often have yet to hire the right people to fill any important positions they may have. The effectiveness of a company’s employees determines the company’s success. Hiring the wrong people into the positions that most affect the company as a whole is a recipe for disaster. A younger company usually doesn’t have the money to hire someone who fit’s the requirements exactly right off the bat, but a good business starts off by hiring the most positive and most enthusiastic people for their most influential positions. These people are respectable, fun to work with, quick and eager to learn and have the qualities necessary to keep moral and work ethic among the laborers high enough to keep the company moving in the right direction.

       As an current employee of a younger, smaller company, I get to experience the disastrous effects of both having the wrong people working in the wrong places and of all the new and unforeseen problems and challenges that arise. When questions arise, it takes a research and development team a few weeks to formulate an answer. When an employee shows complete incompetence and disregard toward his or her duties and toward company policy, even over an extended period of time, they continue to waste their money paying him/her. When the sales orders stop coming they keep production running “full speed ahead.” I could go on and on about how my employer is setting itself up for disaster, but I digress.

       My point is that I will never voluntarily work for a smaller/younger company again, unless the situation demands it. I’m at my current job because I was laid off from my last job when the economy tanked, and this job was the first to fall into my lap. I am grateful I have a job, and I do my best at it with what I have, but my loyalty will always be with companies who can afford good employee pay and benefits, and who know what their doing and how to do it in any given circumstance.

  Do you work for a big company or a small one? Do you like your job or hate it? Why?

  • 10:38 am
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