Things I liked, things I miss, things I admire.
Things that made it the best place I ever worked.
1 – Friday morning breakfast cobs, on the company. Bacon, egg, sausage, all of the above, whatever you want, more or less. That little bit of recognition and reward for the hard work. And that sign that the weekend is coming!
2 – Totally flat organisational structure, the directors sit next to the trainees. Everyone mucks in. Nobody is too grand to help. If you have a problem the top boss’s door is just there, and its open.
3 – The acceptance of some rather non-standard issue haircuts. Someone’s worth will be judged on their performance, not when they last went to the barbers.
4 – The recognition of hard work and dedication. Those who really went the extra mile were noted and rewarded. Not just with another ten projects, but with promotion and advancement.
5 – The growth of the company. Watching the small office fill, the move to the bigger office, which then had to change to accommodate more growth. Success breeding success. More work, more people, more shoulders to the wheel, more minds to pool.
6 – The balance of professionalism and hard work with a good working environment. There is always time for a quick chat and a laugh, even if it’s just to relieve the pressure when it’s all getting a bit frantic. Directors laughing and joking with new starters. No subject is off limits if it’s going to generate a laugh, ease some stress and help the day sail by.
7 – Being able to walk into the boss’s office and say, “I went to the circus last night, it was great, you should pay for everyone to go” and he says “OK, good idea” so we go, and its great.
8 – Working with old friends and colleagues for decades. People who had been colleagues but then became clients. People I knew for year, after year, after year. With Make being the steady, reliable, safe pair of hands that they would turn to by default, time after time. The reward for doing a good job was having the next job handed to you. Good performance provided security.
9 – Being able to walk through the door completely unannounced and be welcomed like an old friend. No complaints about me taking up the time of people who should be working, I’m just made welcome and offered a drink as if I’d just walked into my regular local.
10 – Feeling a little bit sad that I’ve left this wonderful, talented, hardworking bunch of people to continue their journey without me, but knowing that if I needed work, or Make needed another pair of hands the call would be answered immediately, by either side.
Giles Warhurst MRICS (now retired)