The lifeblood of LettUs Grow
The lifeblood of LettUs Grow
Often when I mention that I work in operations I’m met with a sympathetic smile, a friendly nod with a tone of disinterest. It seems that the general consensus when it comes to operations is that it is dry work.
Processes and paperwork…
And you can’t necessarily blame this opinion. Paperwork is dry and processes can become uninspired formalities. You don’t enroll into university to master the art of filing paperwork.
But to judge operations based on this assumption certainly does not do it justice. Operations is so much more than processes and paperwork. In fact, I like to think of operations as a vital lifeline, an absolute necessity in any successful business.
Vital support
In order for a company to prosper, it must have a vision or mission, a reason for existing. At LettUs Grow the mission is to reduce the waste and carbon footprint of fresh produce by enabling anyone to grow near the point of consumption. This is the beating heart of the company. But the mission cannot survive on its own, just as the heart cannot function solely within the body. In order for it to function, it requires assistance.
The heart and the rest of the body require blood. It fuels the organs and removes unwanted carbon dioxide. A company’s heart and vital organs need this fuel too and a way to rid itself of what no longer serves it. But where does a business get this fuel from?
Enter the arteries, capillaries, and operations. In the human body, blood is pumped from the heart to the arteries and these arteries then divide off into smaller channels called capillaries. Traveling through these channels, blood reaches every part of the body. Operations is the capillary network of a business, providing vital support to a system of complex functions.
Operations at LettUs Grow
Operations is all about supporting people and this is especially true at LettUs Grow. Being an operations officer means providing constant and meaningful support to all employees. It involves creating a professional atmosphere that fosters inspiration and exploration.
One way we exemplify this is through flexible working. Employees are encouraged to follow a work schedule that works for them. Whether that be a four day work week or leaving at 3:00 PM every day to pick your children up from school, we support you. On the same note, we provide a framework to establish and monitor personal development goals alongside professional objectives. Employees have learned to code, swung from 13-foot aerial silks and completed half-marathons. Providing a safe space to develop these skills has made for a positive and inspired company culture.
And whilst you can almost always find staff battling it out at the ping pong table, our passion for professional development takes precedence. We encourage employees to take training courses and attend workshops in their professional field. Knowledge and growth are eternal tools. We feel employees should be empowered to do their job - and that is something we will always invest in.
Final thoughts
Every business needs a mission, a heart. But that business survives from its support network.
So if you want to embark on a career that fosters creativity, provides a safe space and solves dynamic problems, then operations may just be the job for you.
Written by Chelsea Dow, operations officer at LettUs Grow