Chapter 1: Workplace Environment
1 Reading
Before you read
Discuss the following to help you prepare for the reading:
- Look at only the title of the reading. What do you think the title means?
- What do you think the reading will be about?
- Can an organization or company have a culture?
- Is it important to understand the culture of the company we work in? Why/Why not?
Read
Hi! I’m Ray, your Strategy Coach. I will give you some important tips to help you build your learning strategies.
Read the passage on the next page about how company values and mission statements affect companies.
Read the following:
Company Values
It is important to understand a company’s mission statement and values. They influence the culture of the company. They show what is important to the company. They help all employees understand the culture of the company. Employers generally introduce these values to new employees during orientation. Orientation is usually the first stage of the onboarding process for a new employee. People do not always realize how important these values are. Let us take a quick look to see how important they can be.
Our Mission
To provide accessible service of the highest standard to all our customers and clients.
Our Values
- Keep service foremost in mind.
- Empower people to do their best.
- Take responsibility and be accountable.
- Respect all types of diversity.
- Demonstrate a positive team spirit.
- Promote sustainability and be environmentally friendly.
First of all, a company’s values can influence the hiring process. Interviewers look at more than the interviewee’s education and hard skills. They also use these values to see if the interviewee is a good fit for the company. They look for skills and personality traits that match the company’s values. When preparing for a job interview, many people look at the company’s website to see if they can find information that shows the values of the company. They do this so they can be better prepared for the interview.
A company’s values are also important when employers make decisions to retain employees. Employers expect employees to show the right attitude and to demonstrate these values once they hire them. They expect employees to conform to the company’s culture and adopt its values. Many successful employees use these values to set goals for improving their soft skills. They know that many companies promote from within. They know that they have a better chance of getting a higher position in the company if they can demonstrate these values along with their hard skills.
How can you use your company’s values to help you become a better employee? First, you need to understand your new company’s culture and environment. You can do this by carefully noticing how the company itself upholds its values. Notice also how successful employees meet the company’s values. Identify any gaps and think of ways you can improve in these areas. Use this information to set yourself some clear goals for improv