What Makes A Good Company?

Today's largest corporations did not come out of the blue like some magical entity. They started from somewhere, and like a plant that eventually grew into a giant-like tree, these companies started small and eventually expanded.

These companies had so many competitors when they were small (and even now that they are gigantic), but not everyone grew into the powerful corporations they are today. What made them grew and the others not? There has to be a difference somewhere, right?

Most business experts will tell you that it's all deeply rooted in the company's culture. Like nations and races, companies also have their individual cultures different from the others. These cultures distinguished them from their competitors when they were young. These cultures made them what they are today.

Of all these characteristics, there are some that has to be emphasized in this post. First of all, these companies, when they were small, promoted team spirit rather than individual efforts. No manager could do everything alone. He/she had to rely on his/her subordinates at some point. It was all a matter of working harmoniously to achieve a certain goal.

Secondly, when mistakes in the business were committed, they were looked at as failures, but as opportunities to learn and further grow. There was always room for improvement. Mistakes, though not exactly welcomed, were not taken devastatingly.

Thirdly, they were flexible to changes. Times and trends change. They had to learn how to cope or else be left behind. When times were bad, they would cut down spending on office furniture's. When interest rates were low, they would borrow enough capital to proceed with projects. That was how they worked. Like a bamboo, they knew how to bow when the winds blew so that when it was over, they were still standing tall.

Lastly, and most importantly, there was a leader figure who steered the company to the right direction. These leaders should know how to make the right decisions and how to motivate the workers. They had to know how to make things work for the company. They had to find a way to make each worker an asset that would contribute to the company's growth. If you'll think about it, a ship without a captain (or any sort of leader) is as good as no ship at all.
Taken From (http://www.office1000.com/blog/company_culture/20081027-144919-What-Makes-A-Good-Company)