I was rushing to the Singapore PHP User Group June Meetup this evening and I stopped along the way for dinner. The service was good and the staff there were friendly. I ordered a plate of “Char Siew Roasted Meat Rice”. Shortly after, a waiter came back with what I ordered with a warm smile and he stood by the side, only leaving when he saw that I had settled in and had no other requests. Just when I thought that my dinner experience was going to be above my expectations, I heard a woman’s voice lashing out. I raised my head and saw the lady boss of the restaurant reprimanding the waiter, repeatedly reminding him at the top of her voice that he has “NO RIGHT” to touch the Sales Log of the restaurant.

The waiter had tried to help out but he received a very unpleasant treatment from his boss. It may be that the sales log happened to be extremely sensitive information, but was lashing out at him really the best way to manage the situation? After a moment of apologies, the waiter continued to serve other customers with a customary smile.

I would never choose such a working environment if given a choice.

Large companies can afford to make the mistake of providing a less than desirable environment for their workers who are stuck to the companies for their paychecks. But startups do not have such liberty. Startups work in small groups initially and the work can be really intensive. Success and failure is such a thin line that startups tread on and a great working environment will more often than not give the boost that entrepreneurs need to pull them through a difficult phase.