From the book "Near the end of the first lecture, I explained what WordPerfect Corporation was not. This set the stage for the next two days, when I would expl

From the book "Near the end of the first lecture, I explained what WordPerfect Corporation was not. This set the stage for the next two days, when I would explain what WordPerfect Corporation was. WordPerfect Corporation was not a platform for personal achievement, a career ladder to other opportunities, or a challenging opportunity for personal improvement. The company did not put the needs of the individual ahead of its own. The company was not concerned about an employee's personal feelings, except as they related to the company's well-being. WordPerfect Corporation was not intended to be a social club for the unproductive. While other companies might condone many personal or social activities at the office, ours did not. Things like celebrating birthdays, throwing baby showers, collecting for gifts, selling Tupperware or Avon, managing sports tournaments, running betting pools, calling home to keep a romance alive or hand out chores to the children, gossiping or flirting with co-workers, getting a haircut, going to a medical or dental appointment, running to the cafeteria for a snack, coming in a little late or leaving a little early, taking Friday afternoon off, and griping about working conditions were all inappropriate when done on company time. Even though these activities were condoned by many businesses across the country, we felt there was no time for them at WordPerfect Corporation." While all this can be justified, why would anyone want to work at a compnay like this? I found this interesting since most companies these days at least pretend to do many of these things in order to attract and retain a talented workforce. There is no mention of any ESOP like scheme either. But WP made a lot of money so they must have done something right and hired at least a few good people. Maybe the eighties was just a different time.