Over the last few years I have been a roving SQL Server DBA contractor and tended to work contacts in small and mid-size companies that involved organizing, documenting and then tuning/optimizing existing SQL Servers in those companies. I have noticed one very disturbing truth over the years; no one seems to document anything. In fact, I was usually thankful if I could find something or someone who knew the sa passwords on each SQL Server installation, let alone knew anything else about their setups.

There are some things you cannot ignore if you want your workplace to meet the requirements of a global workforce that becomes increasingly aware of the necessity of “feeling at home while at work.” Meaning is something that increasingly matters. Financial rewards will follow if people are happy where they work. Remember: people are the only assets in any organization that multiply their output if given a little understanding, recognition, and care.

Perhaps no problem plagues the Internet as deeply as that of unsolicited junk E-mail, or SPAM. While there’s no doubt that SPAM can be annoying to the end users, SPAM can cause problems for both the network administrators and for those who own or manage a company. The reason for this is that SPAM robs your company of productivity and of system resources.

How do you view your own work environment–your company’s culture? Is it oriented toward the past or the future? Based on your best knowledge and your personal experience, where does your organization fall on each continuum below?

Mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances will continue to multiply and drive the economy in an open environment. Optimizing these organizational relationships demands that companies develop a collective partnership capability and capacity.

Are there times when you know you could be more effective and productive? Do you want to feel more excited, enthusiastic and inspired? Your environment plays a big part in this and discovering an inspiring environment is a worthwhile investment in yourself and the people you work with.