The First Impressions of an ACM Consultant
So, how agile can a company be? Before I started working at ACM, I couldn't answer this question. However, after spending one month at ACM, I can confidently say that I am amazed by how we can experience all the values of agility here every day, and it seems like I will continue to be surprised for a while longer.
Especially in recent times, you have probably come across the words "agility, agile, scrum, kanban" quite often in your LinkedIn feed. Your connections share certificates in agility, many organizations talk about their agile transformation stories, and the most popular pages publish articles about agility as one of the future trends. You have surely come across one of them at some point.
So, how agile can a company be? Before I started working at ACM, I couldn't answer this question. However, after spending one month at ACM, I can confidently say that I am amazed by how we can experience all the values of agility here every day, and it seems like I will continue to be surprised for a while longer.
I want to share a few questions that I have been pondering over, especially in the last few years of my 12-year career. Perhaps you have come across some of these questions in different trainings, workshops, or surveys.
What are the essentials in a work environment for you? What do you expect from your teammates with whom you spend a significant part of your day, working towards a common goal? What are your values that you would never compromise on in life? How well do they align with the culture of the company you work for?
Personally, I prefer to be part of a culture that is fair, transparent, and trustworthy. At the same time, I highly value working in an environment where employees can freely express their opinions, take initiative in certain matters, and experiment and discover new things.
I dream of a work environment where we don't get worn out by processes, where we can reach results and implement employee-driven solutions, and where we have the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them. I genuinely wish for everyone to experience this. I find it extremely valuable to have colleagues who genuinely embrace and respect every opinion, not just in social media posts, but also in their everyday actions.
A few years ago, when I first met ACM as a client and worked on projects together, I had the opportunity to observe how close ACM was to the work environment I had envisioned. Today, as one of its consultants, I am about to complete my first month at ACM, and I am experiencing the peace and happiness of working in a company that aligns with my values.
When it comes to agility, ACM is likely the company you hear about the most from your surroundings. Now let me briefly share my initial observations on why this is the case.
The biggest difference is that it enables teamwork.
At ACM, we work in teams divided according to industry expertise, and in every project and process, we support each other as a team. When creating our schedules, making plans, providing training, or taking any necessary steps, we run to help each other and act together. And believe me, without exception, everyone is more than happy to be a part of it. No one thinks, 'You're creating extra work for me,' when they allocate time for a colleague. The satisfaction of contributing to the value created outweighs everything else.
On my second day, one of my bros in my team invited me to a training session. I had the chance to observe him during the training for three days and support him where necessary. After each session, we evaluated together—how was the energy of the participants, how can we start the next session more efficiently, did the exercises we implemented in the previous session benefit everyone, and so on. The sense of togetherness and the value given to ideas are so precious that even after a busy day, you don't feel any fatigue.
Thanks for valuing my opinion from the very beginning, Murat bro!
Now, imagine a company where every consultant's business card says "partner." Yes, we are all "partners" to achieve the same goal. Each of us is a part of a big team. It is a company where there is no hierarchy, no one reports to anyone else, and everyone works with their own responsibilities, motivated to create value with maximum efficiency. It is a company where every consultant is also a partner. Working in such an environment, where you can work freely, happily, and with trust, is proof that it is possible.
The culture of transparency is at the core of ACM.
Have you ever hesitated to share certain information, thinking, "I wonder if there is someone here who shouldn't hear this"? I'm sure you have. Now, where I am, we can freely and openly discuss any topic without hesitation, regardless of its confidentiality.Transparency is not just a dream in this working culture, it is a reality in agile culture.
There is also one aspect that I cannot skip under this topic: Imagine a culture where everyone knows each other's salaries. Yes, ACM is that transparent. We have a safe space where we work without hidden agendas or conflicting ambitions, and where we focus on success by trying to create more value.
Supportive comments that elevate each other are essential in every environment.
We highly value each other's observations and opinions, and we receive instant feedback from our team members for every value we create. We participate in meetings, training sessions, and workshops with at least two people to ensure we always have an objective external assessment. Not only in work-related processes but also in personal conversations, we always make comments that will help each other progress. In ACM, we not only applaud each other's achievements but also think together about what can be done to reach even greater heights.
In my first team meeting, I witnessed every team member giving feedback to each other. The feedback was so sincere, constructive, and growth-oriented that I wanted to spend more time with all of them immediately. In an environment with a "quality" feedback culture, you feel psychologically safe, and I experienced this in my first team meeting.
Experts who strive for 'employee-driven solutions,' without compromising on quality, create value.
At ACM, the aim is for all ACMers to be stars. Everyone's development is valued, and ACM nurtures both professional and personal growth. You can directly participate in the training you want without any restrictions on budget, without waiting for HR approval. This way, you are encouraged to keep up with new technologies and developments, and your skills in presenting innovative ideas are strengthened. In this way of working, where trial and error are appreciated, you can learn from every example and find the most differentiating and valuable path by experimenting and trying.
Customer satisfaction is the priority at the core of every job.
In ACM, which lives agility in its own culture, experts with excellent listening and understanding skills and extensive industry experience prioritize meeting customer expectations with the most accurate value proposition. That's why, in my first week, I received numerous calls from my former colleagues at previous companies. When they talked with their close circle about ACM, after my job change, they only heard positive thoughts. ACM has always created value for every customer it has touched. As a former ACM customer, I shared the same sentiment, and today, I am proud to be an ACMer myself.
Now, you may be thinking, "Is there really nothing negative about ACM?" I'm sure there are areas for improvement, but I haven't encountered them yet. Based on my impressions so far, I can say that I can happily work here as long as there is openness to development.
Through this opportunity, I embrace all my sis’ and bros’ at ACM with love and sincerely thank them for their warm and genuine welcome.
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