Reflections on a Great Work Environment

Sometimes it is the small things. Sometimes it is something profound. Other times it can be a fun and relaxing event together. Or it can even be a sad happening that hits everyone in the gut and brings tears. Regardless, all of these events and happenings result in clarity for me, and allows blessings to be recognized. Working with and along side your business colleagues is actually something most people do more than precious time with their own family. So, my reflection today is about how blessed we are at Qk4, Inc. to be collectively part of such a warm, loving, fun, flexible, and understanding environment.

While it has been engrained in us to "put our clients at the center of everything that we do", it has been the fun events together, the sad heartbreaking news where we rally together to help those of us hurting, knowing that we all have each other's backs when needs arise, and the dreaming of the road ahead together that really keeps me excited and motivated. I guess what I am really getting at is, I feel like I work in one of the greatest work environments.

Google may drive their employees to work, feed them for free, have all kinds of games to play during the day, and even give them 20% of their time to explore personal passions. Other employers my pay more, or have better benefits, or provide all kinds of added perks. However, there is just something unexplainable about Qk4 that makes us different, and I wish more people could experience it in their workplace.

When I really try to pinpoint what makes this place special, I cannot single out one specific thing, beyond the collective family environment with the sharp client centric business focus, that can effectively explain it enough. However, there are a number of "mind-ideas" and narratives that I think about often for you to contemplate.

1) Would your friends want to come work with you, if you asked? - Really think about that for a second. If you have a close friend, or a family member of a friend.....would you be able to with 100% confidence ask them to come work with you? And, would they agree to do so without hesitation?

2) If something happened to you tomorrow, do you feel comfortable that your work family would take in your loved ones at home as your own? -Really think about it, would your supervisor or your department colleagues go out of their way, or put their life on hold for you and yours?

3) If a company event was announced or scheduled, would you have difficulty deciding between that company event and another previously planned family related event? -Again, really think about it....would you ask your own family to reschedule something, so you could attend a company event?

4) Can you envision 20 years down the road, and the picture that comes to mind includes most if not all the same people you are working with today? -Really think about it. As you work today, is there a clear path and strategy on how all of you will still be able to work together and reach all of your personal goals together? If your work family is like your real family, then you don't ignore this on a day-to-day business level. I get excited and love the 20 years down-the-road picture I see.

5) Can you put real, hard, dedicated effort towards some goals, aspirations, opportunities and actually have the support and backing of your colleagues to make it happen without actually having to ask your colleagues, superiors, subordinates for that support/backing? -I know, it is getting old....but really think about it for a moment. Do your ideas or aspirations get downplayed or hit road blocks before you even get to test the viability or upside of them? Or, do you know that if you put the upfront legwork, research, and relationship building in place, that your work family will support your efforts for the benefit of the whole?

6) If someone at a competitor, or even some off the wall company with a dream job in a different market sector, called you and offered you double what your currently make, would you say NO without hesitation? -Last time, really think about that for a moment.

So, just some reflections and thoughts on our little but great work environment, and why it is so easy for me to spend more time with my Qk4 family than my own wife, daughter, and son.

Until next time,

MV