Culture IBM V Trilogy Essay Research Paper

Culture- IBM V. Trilogy Essay, Research Paper

Whenever two or more people come together with a shared purpose, they form a culture with its own written and unwritten rules for behavior. Our families, workplaces and communities all have cultures. These cultures have a tremendous, though rarely recognized, impact upon our behavior as individuals, and as groups.

Each cultural environment provides a somewhat unique set of standards to which we must adapt. Our behavioral patterns change dramatically from cultural context to cultural context. For example, on the job we are expected to behave in accordance with certain social standards. Expectations about behaviors at work usually differ from what is expected of us in our kitchens and in our bedrooms.

We may not choose to behave in accordance with our cultures, but if we choose not to go along, we must be prepared for ongoing consequences. When we select goals for ourselves that violate the culture, we must either change the culture or endure a never-ending struggle.

I’d like to illustrate the seeming similarities, and the actual differences, between the cultures of two organizations- Trilogy and IBM. This comparison is unique in that it points out the major similarities between two very different organizations. IBM with its 200,000+ employees is a virtual giant compared to Trilogy with just under 1,000 employees. How can these two cultures be so strikingly similar. Current industry recruiting trends follow what’s desirable to college graduates! We’re fast approaching the millenium, and the new buzz-words are PEOPLE, PEOPLE, PEOPLE!!! But, while many companies boast to potential hires of freedom and friendship, many of those same companies fall short of following through with their promises. Realistically, there are limitations that come with having over 200,000 employees. Likewise, there are limitations with having only 1,000 employees. How do these two companies stack up in comparison.

So, what are the desired job traits that college graduates are looking for. To name a few:

. Personal and Professional Growth Opportunities

. Flexible hours and freedom

. Likable teammates

Personal and Professional Growth Opportunities

It’s not surprising that today’s companies place emphasis on employee ‘growth’. As recent graduates, new hires are accustomed to a constant stream of new knowledge and skills. Obviously this learning has led to great success, so why stop there. Recent graduates are well aware of the importance of marketability. To ensure a secure career outlook, continued training and experience are a must.

“Learning happens by leaps and bounds when brilliant minds meet and share their knowledge and experience.” (www.trilogy.com)

When Trilogy talks about leaps and bounds, they mean it. In their own words, “For the first two months at Trilogy, employees spend almost every waking moment learning, working and playing together.” Sure, learning is desirable, but what about personal growth. Bonding with colleagues makes work much more enjoyable, but what about family. Perhaps the message conveyed here is a bit more extreme that most that are seen in today’s market.

“It is a unique culture inside IBM that employee’s career growth goes with the job.” (www.cybrblu.ibm.com/html/lucy.html)

Employees at IBM tend to emphasize the level of career growth that they have experienced. Or, perhaps the quotes featured on the Career web page are biased. Recently during a visit to IBM, I visited a client site with one of my new colleagues. She has been at IBM for a year and a half. She has been working with the same client for her entire time at IBM. Her role has not changed, and she has not experienced the kind of growth that she expected. She is well aware that her situation has not led to very marketable experience. She stated that if things don’t improve soon, she will move to a new company. So, it’s not clear that companies always reach the goals that they advertise.

Flexible hours and freedom

Adjusting to the professional world is not easy. Perhaps one of the most difficult adjustments is working normal hours, rather than pulling all-nighters. Both Trilogy and IBM emphasize the freedom of work hours and work styles offered by their company. Could they be telling the truth. Is it really that flexible.

“If you’re true IBM quality, we won’t let little things like time and space stand in the way of your success.” (www.ibm.com)

This is a strong statement, and tempting to recent graduates. Unfortunately, it leaves out some aspects of the job. Consulting for instance: Monday through Thursday is spent at the client site, frequently requiring a 3 night hotel stay out of town. This is not a particularly flexible situation. It all comes down to choices; on Fridays, employees are expected to work from home. Does this make up for the 4 days out of town.

“For the first two months at Trilogy, employees spend almost every waking moment learning, working and playing together.” (www.trilogy.com)

Again, every waking moment. How much flexibility does this offer. Perhaps at Trilogy, work is so much fun, that it’s not a problem to spend all of your time there. Still, this statement is actually contradictory to Trilogy’s statement that they don’t believe in alarm clocks.

Likable teamma

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