In Good Company is a refreshing comedy, rallying against
corporate treachery and mass globalisation. Behind the laughs,
the Hollywood blockbuster carries some important lessons for the
first days on your new job!
In The Beginning
It’s your first day of work. But your day begins before you even
step foot into the office - your work day starts as soon as you
leave your house. Carter Duryea (Topher Grace) meets a lovely
young lady in the elevator on his first day, and sheepishly
tells her that he has no idea what he’s supposed to do at work.
Of course, we quickly find out she is Alex (Scarlett Johansson),
daughter of Dan Foreman (Dennis Quaid), whose position in the
company Carter is taking over. Outside of a Hollywood
production, a slip-up like this might prove to be more
career-threatening than embarrassing.
Another story comes to mind, this time in real life. A friend
was driving to work in heavy morning traffic when the driver of
the car directly behind him started sounding the horn, cut out
to pull up alongside him, and then swerved into his lane just
ahead of him. But not before making a certain hand gesture we
have come to be so strangely familiar with. When my very upset
friend finally arrives in the office, he finds - horror of
horrors - the errant driver is the new employee the company had
hired. Needless to say, my friend has not spoken a word to him
since.
New Kid On The Block
Carter shuffles in and is shown his new corner office with a
beautiful view. Everything’s rosy, except that has been Dan’s
office since dinosaurs roamed the earth. The look on Dan’s face
when he sees a kid half his age sitting in his chair is
priceless. And the hilarious moment conveys an important lesson
for your first day: Introduce yourself!
You feel like a cheese-roll on an ants’ nest, and you’re
convinced the whole office - if not the world - must be sizing
you up and sniggering about “the new guy” when your back is
turned. The problem is not half as bad. Most people won’t be
able to tell you apart from Adam. Remember: It is just another
day at the office for everyone else. Until you introduce
yourself to your new colleagues, you could well be mistaken for
a client, the dispatch courier, or the air conditioner
repairman. Until you’ve introduced yourself, you’re a stranger -
so don’t be surprised if you’re treated like one!
The Name Game
When Teddy K (Malcolm McDowell), Carter Duryea’s Rupert
Murdoch-styled conglomerate CEO, sweeps into the newly-acquired
Sports America office, he is worshipped in a fashion typically
reserved for heads of religions, states, and - a more recent
phenomenon - American Idol finalists.
His confidence, poise, and demeanour are inspirational. And you
cannot help but notice how he addresses his staff directly, by
their names. In fact, Carter is awe-struck when Teddy K
remembers his name and his accomplishments.
Whether you start your first day as the CEO of the world’s
biggest MNC or at the first rung of the corporate ladder, make
an effort to learn, and remember your co-workers’ names. Most
people respond better when addressed by name. And you might find
help is more forthcoming too. If your name recall standards
stretch to all of three seconds after shaking hands, research on
memory-aid techniques or even take notes if you have to. It
would be less embarrassing than calling out the wrong name.
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Slideshow to one of Winstons finest speeches…
