Tgt vs other companies--I work at Tgt & do notice the importance placed on networking (GTKYs), being perceived as positive/team player, making boss look/feel good, image (grooming, presentation) & interested in input from those who worked elsewhere and at Tgt. Do same organizational traits exits at other companies or is it much different or more severe at Tgt?
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Target puts a lot more focus on visibility than companies I've previously worked at. Statuses were a completely foreign concept when I came in, and would be seen as slacking off most other places.
That said, I don't believe a single person who says "my work speaks for itself." It doesn't. There's always going to be office politics, and ensuring you have visibility to your peers and your leadership is what sets people apart. It doesn't matter how great your work is if no one knows about it. Target just does a really good job at preparing you to do that.
United Healthgroup very similar regarding dress code (who uses the term "dress slacks" anymore?) - at UHG all they care is how you present, how many pearls are in the ladies neckware, how polished your shoes are, if you have a Hublot or a regular Tag Heuer, and your manners in a meeting. Very toxic. If you are a dilligent producer who cares more about work well done rather than your grooming, you are set for failure because you don't belong to the club. GenMills is more about getting the job done. Every company is different. but UHG and Target exaggerate their grooming and dress code policies to horrible levels.
Thanks for the input, i have heard from people that Gen Mills has a lot of similar culture at Target (they also are going through mass layoffs), and some other companies like Medtronics have similarities but heard other companies like United Health, Cargill are more about production. Consensus from many who come/leave Target say it is a very unusual environment and most people who have worked elsewhere earlier in their career and come to Target feel confused about the culture.
Yes and no. Some other companies value consensus and "managing upward" like Target. General Mills is a good example. Other companies not so much. At my current company, your work determines your success. People come in, get work done and leave. Your output determines promotion eligibility. It's quite refreshing.