The Contractor's Guide to Corporate Culture

By Dan Rutman

Okay, you're looking forward to your next contract, and you want to make sure it's a rewarding endeavor. Too often, contractors only consider three key factors: rate, location and type of work.

There's another set of equally important, less tangible elements that help to determine whether you'll enjoy a project, and more importantly, whether you'll be a productive, highly functioning addition to the project or department.

It's all about how well your personality fits the culture of the organization you're going to be working in.

Here are a few of my own highly subjective observations:

1) Lunchroom

If a company has a great cafeteria, it can really improve your productivity, attitude and social life.When you're able to enjoy the entire food pyramid at noon, you'll have much more energy to lead a highly charged meeting or tackle that not-so-invigorating-yet-necessary monthly variance analysis.

In addition, it's much easier to learn about your company and colleagues if there's an inviting setting for sharing a repast.Asking someone “Can I join you for lunch?” has more appeal than “Want to head over to the machine for some Jujubes and a Fresca?”

2) Parking

Ramp = good. Surface lot = bad (especially if you don't get to work by 7:30 a.m.).

Some of our local corporate giants with only surface lots actually use shuttle buses in the winter. Problem is, in the early spring shuttle service stops--15 degrees, typhoon gusts and sleet slamming into your face for a 20-minute walk sort of puts a damper on your whole day, and scraping off an icy car in two feet of snow ends any festive plans for the evening.

For those of you with hair, don't bother combing.

3) Corporate Fun

Although contractors don't usually participate in employee activities, a company that puts emphasis on fun and special events will tend to have higher morale.That makes for higher energy and, in general, a better working environment.

Good Companies: Boat Cruise Day, Massage Day, Cake Day. Bad Companies: Interpretive Dance Day, Foreign Film Day, White Noise Day, Bamboo Under Fingernails Day.

4) Department Fun

Most departments you'll join will have a 5

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