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An Ideal Workplace - the dream and the reality

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All play and no work makes Jack a mere toy – Unknown source


We all want different things from work:




The list is diverse and, if you do some research, there are significant differences in the combinations of goals that people have.
And this impacts on the workplace they want.



The most significant feedback I have received over the years is:

I need to feel safe, but I need to be stretched.

While I know lots of people, mainly entrepreneurs, who love to live on the edge, already considering the next high risk project while the current ones are starting to roll out, it seems to me that there is a general resistance to change and risk.   Of course, with high risk comes high reward, although simply staying in the same position can leave you in the right place at the right time, too.

So #WhereIWork was a thought process that I had considered for many years before taking on the running of Accsys.
It started with what I didn’t like about certain companies where I worked, as well as what I loved.   As my whole career was client facing, from programming to being a director of a software company, I had access to literally thousands of companies over the years.    Culture became something I closely observed.   Around 10 minutes in a busy reception area gives you a pretty accurate first impression.

What did I want in #WhereIWork?

·         Mutual respect was number one
o    For the people in the company
o    For the clients
o    For the solutions / products we service and market
·         The Game of Work being played with intensity and a desire to win but no cheating


The various lists in this article are by no means definitive!   

The one thing I realised quite early is that there is no final destination, not one single day when you can turn around and say #WhereIWork is just where I want it to be.








 Jim Collins focused on having the right people on the bus.   So true – to me it’s about getting the balance right between
people who fit the culture while still having the energy and drive to create change that enables the business to grow.






Every day forms part of the journey to a positive, inclusive, kind and profitable culture.   And almost every day there is a reason to rethink some of the processes and concepts.




#WhereIWork is the July Theme for the month on LinkedIn.

Links, References and Notes

Accsys provides people management solutions ie Payroll, Human Resources (HR), Time and Attendance as well as Access Control/Visitor Management.
The company develops, implements, trains and services our solutions.  We provide readers, turnstiles, booms and CCTV.
We run both on premise and in the cloud, as well as mobile options for ESS.  Recruitment, online education and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) are part of our offering, too.
http://www.accsys.co.za/accsys-peopleplace-talent-management
email:      tschroenn@accsys.co.za
twitter:   @TerylSchroenn

Note:   Thank you for reading Teryl@Work.   Should you wish to use any of the material, please acknowledge this blog as the source.
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