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79
stuff is the same; we want to give people opportunities that are fun and
exciting,” says Tom Little, company co-founder and executive vice
president.
So, on any given lunch hour, you may find ballroom dancers
twirling about, musicians tuning up their instruments or cardplayers in
an ongoing Hearts tournament poring over their hands. Little says that
the card tournament-currently in its eighth week-shows the important
role a fun group activity can play in the larger scheme of things.
“People get a chance to know one another outside of their usual
work situations. So when they're working together, they feel more con-
nected, more like a team,” he adds.
Outside the workplace, TVisions employees get together for soft-
ball and soccer games and rock-climbing expeditions. And once a year,
the company foots the bill for an employee/family getaway. “It is
money well-spent,” says Little. “Thanks to a highly selective recruiting
process, we have very talented people with whom we want to build
long-term relationships. Our goal is to provide a rich environment and
try to nurture our employees' skills all along the way,” he says.
And if you're talking growth, Lycos – the Waltham-based Web
chieftain-stands near the top of the heap. The company now employs
430 with another 780 comprising acquired companies. But a “start-up
mentality” still pervades the workplace, says Gretchen McAuliffe, di-
rector of human resources.
"In the beginning, it was almost familial. We've always had an
extremely casual atmosphere. That helps when you're working really
hard,” she says.
But, when the workday is over, Lycos folks don't have to drive to
their local health clubs to work off all that stress. There's a gym on-site.
Or, if group activities are more their thing, they can sign up for lunch-
hour Tae Kwon Do or kick-boxing lessons.
“Of course we've always had Ping-Pong and foosball tables in the
cafeteria. They get a lot of use,” McAuliffe says.
“And for the ultimate, tangible expression of the/non-traditional
Lycos culture, employees can have their cars “Lycos-ized” to sport the
Lycos logo. That might mean either a complete paint job or simply a
few strategically-placed magnets”, McAuliffe explains.
80
The road signs are clear: corporate culture is driving clear out of
uptight, traditional territory. The road ahead is designed to give hard-
working employees a smooth, satisfying and – above all – balanced
ride.
“Think about it. Have you ever heard an older person say, 'I wish
I'd spent more time at work? I haven't,” concludes ULT's Vallone.
COMPREHENSION OUESTIONS
1. According to the article, what really drives success?
2. What were employees expected to sacrifice in the 80s?
3. What is the one hard and fast company rule at Universal
Learning Technology (ULT)?
4. At ULT, which days of the week are casual dress days?
5. What does the co-founder and executive vice-president of the
Web design firm TVisions want to give his employees?
6. What kind of mentality still pervades Lyс.
DISCUSSION OUESTIONS
1. Describe the corporate world in Russia in the early 1990s.
How is it different now?
Why?
2. Was there a lot of economic excess in Russia in the mid-
1990s? Were people just driven by monetary gain then? Why?
After the economic crisis, did people begin to look more at what
really drives success? Why or why not?
3. What is the prevailing attitude at your company? Why? Are
people expected to sacrifice their personal lives for work?
4. Is your company working to build a corporate culture that is
fun, flexible and people-centered (like at ULT)? How? If it is not,
should it? How? What kind of corporate culture is your company cur-
rently trying to build?
5. Does your company encourage you to never miss one of your
kids' important events? Is your company big on parents being present
for their children? How?
6. Does your company give you and your colleagues a lot of
freedom to set up your own environment? Why and how?
stuff is the same; we want to give people opportunities that are fun and The road signs are clear: corporate culture is driving clear out of
exciting,” says Tom Little, company co-founder and executive vice uptight, traditional territory. The road ahead is designed to give hard-
president. working employees a smooth, satisfying and – above all – balanced
So, on any given lunch hour, you may find ballroom dancers ride.
twirling about, musicians tuning up their instruments or cardplayers in “Think about it. Have you ever heard an older person say, 'I wish
an ongoing Hearts tournament poring over their hands. Little says that I'd spent more time at work? I haven't,” concludes ULT's Vallone.
the card tournament-currently in its eighth week-shows the important
role a fun group activity can play in the larger scheme of things. COMPREHENSION OUESTIONS
“People get a chance to know one another outside of their usual
1. According to the article, what really drives success?
work situations. So when they're working together, they feel more con-
2. What were employees expected to sacrifice in the 80s?
nected, more like a team,” he adds.
3. What is the one hard and fast company rule at Universal
Outside the workplace, TVisions employees get together for soft-
Learning Technology (ULT)?
ball and soccer games and rock-climbing expeditions. And once a year,
4. At ULT, which days of the week are casual dress days?
the company foots the bill for an employee/family getaway. “It is
5. What does the co-founder and executive vice-president of the
money well-spent,” says Little. “Thanks to a highly selective recruiting
Web design firm TVisions want to give his employees?
process, we have very talented people with whom we want to build
6. What kind of mentality still pervades Lyс.
long-term relationships. Our goal is to provide a rich environment and
try to nurture our employees' skills all along the way,” he says.
DISCUSSION OUESTIONS
And if you're talking growth, Lycos – the Waltham-based Web
chieftain-stands near the top of the heap. The company now employs 1. Describe the corporate world in Russia in the early 1990s.
430 with another 780 comprising acquired companies. But a “start-up How is it different now? Why?
mentality” still pervades the workplace, says Gretchen McAuliffe, di- 2. Was there a lot of economic excess in Russia in the mid-
rector of human resources. 1990s? Were people just driven by monetary gain then? Why?
"In the beginning, it was almost familial. We've always had an After the economic crisis, did people begin to look more at what
extremely casual atmosphere. That helps when you're working really really drives success? Why or why not?
hard,” she says. 3. What is the prevailing attitude at your company? Why? Are
But, when the workday is over, Lycos folks don't have to drive to people expected to sacrifice their personal lives for work?
their local health clubs to work off all that stress. There's a gym on-site. 4. Is your company working to build a corporate culture that is
Or, if group activities are more their thing, they can sign up for lunch- fun, flexible and people-centered (like at ULT)? How? If it is not,
hour Tae Kwon Do or kick-boxing lessons. should it? How? What kind of corporate culture is your company cur-
“Of course we've always had Ping-Pong and foosball tables in the rently trying to build?
cafeteria. They get a lot of use,” McAuliffe says. 5. Does your company encourage you to never miss one of your
“And for the ultimate, tangible expression of the/non-traditional kids' important events? Is your company big on parents being present
Lycos culture, employees can have their cars “Lycos-ized” to sport the for their children? How?
Lycos logo. That might mean either a complete paint job or simply a 6. Does your company give you and your colleagues a lot of
few strategically-placed magnets”, McAuliffe explains. freedom to set up your own environment? Why and how?
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