Flat vs Hierarchical Organisation Structure - Good or Bad

I used to work in multinational head office and never like it because of office politics.  I think office politics is damaging.  I think politics exist because of:
- power seeking;
- people involved have their own interest in mind; and
- breakdown of communications.

It brings in acts that are unproductive and waste of time and raises frustration among employees.

I started with my current employer when it was a small 25 employess company with 2 offices.  One in Sydney and one in Melbourne.  The Melbourne office have 8-9 employees. 
It was a flat reporting strucutre where all employees report directly to the boss, who comes only once a month. We did have weekly teleconfence meeting for brief update of the week. Small office, everyone focus on his/her work, very relax environment.  The only setback when we are not in main office, is, internal support, such as IT is slow.  The good thing is, if there is any problem, we directly hightlight that to the boss personally.

My company is doing well and is expanding.  New reporting hierarchical structure has been put in place.  I report to a leader and he reports to the boss.  We no longer meet weekly and the boss may not come every month as there are new offices set up at other states.

While the company is doing well, it is good to know my job is secured.  I think it is effective that the boss focus on strategic decision that moves the company forward.
However, with the new structure in place, that means there is a gap with the boss, especially we don't see him in the same office.  He relies more on others' input to make decision rather than own observations.  I do hope there will be no office politics in future for reasons mentioned earlier.

So, is flat structure better than hierarchical structure? 
It depends on the employees in the organisation.  If the boss is not smart and sensitive enough to ask the right questions and detect hidden problem then either sturcture is bad. 

Going back to the fundamentals:
- it works well if the employees' goals go along with the organisation goals/objectives;
- we are in the generation where Money is important, but Job Satisfaction carries the same if not more weight;
- we get defensive and disappointed when feeling not appreciated and misunderstood;
- it does take everyone's effort to respect the boundaries that each other have at work place.

An example will be my earlier post of the cheeky colleagues of mine taken my parking spot rudely.  It is not a matter of car spot.  It is a matter of being selfish and for own convenince, but affecting others.

So, let's see what comes next.

It is not how long you work

"I am working hard.... long hours.... but don't feel appreciated.............."

Sounds familiar?

Well, it is time to realise it is not how long you work, but the return of the time you spent.  A good worker does not always mean the one who arrives work early at 8am and leave late.
Cruel reality but it is true.

The fact is:
- when you cannot resolve a problem, it may be a good idea to stop and work on other tasks.  You might see the light after a short break.  It works extremely well for me when looking at a programs that I develop for so long and I can't see a simple mistake.

- If you are working on number crunching / formulas/ programs, it is worth writing simple list of possible solutions on paper and tick as you go.  I found myself lost track of what I have tested after  a long while.

Ultimately, it will be satisfactory only if there is a solution.
Well, when there is no solution, we only says "I have tried my best".

- No one will pay good money for something that they don't find value in.  When asking for pay rise, focusing on what value you bring to the company, not how long you work every day.

Seriously, it is not worth it when getting good money, but no time to spend it. 
No wonder job satisfaction is important nowadays.  Just imagine we are underpaid to work late with no satisfaction. 

That will be really groomy.............  Sigh......

Telemarketing - does it work

"Ring ring ring..............  Ring ring ring......................"

I just got into the door, and heard my house phone ring.  I picked up the phone, guess what......

"Good afternoon, madam, how are you?"
"I am good, thanks"
"I am calling to offer you the service to block all telemarketing calls.  Once you register with us, the telemarketers cannot call your house phone.  It is illegal that they contact you once you register with us..,... "

All sounds good.............. 
The caller keep talking, then he asked for my name, confirm my address and then ...  mobile phone number....

Ok, do you see what is missing here?  There was no mention of cost by the caller...  and.. why would I give my mobile number to a stranger?

"How much will that cost me?
"..  Oh.... that is a very good question.  Just let me explain... once you register with us, it will block all telemarketing calls, charity etc etc and you will only receive calls from your friends and relatives.."

"Ok...  how much will that cost me?
Knowing he can't get away with it....  "that will only costs you $49.95 and it will block all telelmarketing calls..... "

Sigh......... 
- He has just wasted my and his time;
- It is real hard work for telemarketers.  He must have made so many calls and getting impatient;
- By the way... I still don't know which company he calls from;

Typical response to telemarketing calls is "No thanks, I am not interested".  Worst of all, probably just hang up the phone.
So, does telemarketing really work?
With so many scam out there, I will suggest not to give out your details, and be careful before engaging the service, when we have no idea of the caller.

Even if I remember the company, we don't even know whether he actually comes from the company he claims.

So.... think twice before engaging the service.

Photo of Trees - EP 1

Ever wish you have your camera in hand when sitting in the car? 

Cheeky collegue at work

Cheeky : "it is a word used to describe someone who does something or says something sort of rude / disrespectful".


I used it regularly and most of the times, it refers to my friends who do somethings funny but not harmful

However, in the following incidence, cheeky is not funny at all.


I work as as a consultant and am allocated a car spot at work, as 85% of my work is from the office.  I share that spot with my colleague (Belinda).  Whenever I am not in the office, I let her know to avoid her looking and paying for meter parking.  There is no private parking around the area.

Another naughty colleague of mine, Jon, often takes the spot at his own discretion without letting either of us know in advance.

Belinda has confronted him and explained that the spot is allocated and he should not take it.  If he really needs it, he should at least let me know so that I have coins with me to pay for meter parking.

Jon think it should be first come first serve and he has permission from his manager that it is ok to park.

He probably genuinely think that he has the point, which I think he is such a bully.

It is not a matter of car spot.  I think he is so disrespectful. 
- I was allocated the spot.  If he needs the spot, out of courtesy, why shouldn't I be informed?
- who is he to make the rules?
- if it should be first come first serve, it should applies to all employees.  It is not a car spot reserved for someone who makes his own rules.
- if he thinks it is unfair, speak to the boss who has made the decision to allocate the spot.  Don't be a cheeky smart ass.
- He is not sorry at all because he think he has the points.

What makes it more annoying.........  I see a whole day street parking, but have to get some coins change.  By the time I get back, it is taken.  So, he has turned his problem to mine. 

How cheeky, selfish, annoying, self-center he is?...............  VERY VERY MUCH SO............

You and Relationships (The Circles - by Kerry Armstrong)

I have recently read a book "The Circles" by Kerry Armstrong, and would like to share that with you.  It is a tiny little book with only a few lines each page and easy to follow.

If you are puzzled about life and confused with relationships around you, this is a simple guide to sort out your feelings.  There are seven circles and you slowly putting down the names of people in your life according to where they fit in.  There is no right or wrong answer, just go with your instincts and sort out your feelings with people arounds you.  It is about You.

Below are some wise statements in the book that I would like to share and hope to encourage you to read the book for yourself :

"Sometimes we take people who love us for granted and spend more energy trying to please or impress new and exciting people".

"Benefit others.  If you can't benefit others, at least don't harm them." (Dalai Lama).

"I just had to realise how to not only be me, but how to let myself be.. and let everyone else in my life just be".

"We all want to feel good about ourselves........  Sometimes, how we feel about ourselves depends on how we let other people affect us...... Belonging to a group where you feel afraid to be yourself can be unsettling, sometimes even humiliatiing".

"You may end up feeling lonelier with the wrong people than you did on your own.... "

Communication online

Internet is a great creation.  Majority of us at least use it an hour or two a day.

We read news, research, email, go to facebook, and drop a few lines for friends...   you name it.  It has become so important in our life.

If you ask a question of: what do you do on your day off, you normally get an answer like, sleeping in, shopping, suffing the net etc etc. 

Interesting enough, I just type 'what to do on day off', the list just goes on for more than 12 pages.  Not that we spend time defining what is day off, but rather, many of us post our stories and thoughts online.

Instead of catching up with friends after work or study, we need some quiet time, thinking time, relaxing time.  Reading other blogs allows us to share same interests, frustration, solutions.  It opens the social network for the less outgoing fellows.  We can think twice before posting comments and erase it as and when we want.

Althought it is easy and convenient, remember to stay in touch with real people around you.

When your husband/wife/partner/girlfriend/boyfriend are complaining that you spend too much time on the net, it is time for you start communicating.   Of course, never never call him/her a whinger.....  before you know it............  TROUBLES COME...........