Still with Spektra

Right after our final presentation, myself and Augustine discussed the sort of companies we wanted to work in. The key points that stood out were career paths and companies that will value our worth. We planned on staying in these companies for as long as it mattered. He found S. Tetteh + Associates and I, Spektra Global Ltd. We have been in these wonderful firms since 2012.

In school, I heard a lot about architectural firms not paying well and people quitting their firms to move to another. It was and is still uncommon to hear architects who have been in at least 3 different architecture firms in a year. Many architects at the end of the day become freelance or set up their own firms. 

I have attempted sending my resignation letter to William several times but could not even bring myself to typing it in the first place.  I think the pros of staying in Spektra outweigh the cons. Let me throw light on some of the major reasons I have stayed in Spektra all these years. 

First and foremost, Spektra Global Ltd is a design and build firm, located in Tema. Do well to visit our website and social media handles. Don't forget to like, share and subscribe.

Lets start! 

Family and Friends

My hubby, Augustine, has been my major backbone and raving supporter. He advices me whenever I am faced with difficulites both in the office and on site. He is very understanding. Only few men can tolerate their wives going to work at 8am and coming home very late in the evening. He is a gem. Augustine, always know that the love is deep. 

Working in Spektra and being awarded Best Staff in 2014 and recognised in 2018 for long outstanding service, excellence in delivery and dedication to the growth of the company would not have been possible without the help of Augustine, Millicent, my mothers, fathers, aunts and siblings. I go to work and do my job peacefully knowing I have good, loving and caring people praying and taking good care of my chipmunks and home.

William and Karen Halm

If you have been following my articles, you would have come across these incredible names. They are the CEO and COO of Spektra Global Ltd. They are both architects just like Augustine and myself... second reason nailed. I have a lot to learn from them. They have incredibly combined and kept their demanding jobs, marraige and family intact. 

They are business minded. This couple, to me have unearthed some of the key ways to bringing business into architecture in Ghana. Spektra is not run like the typical architectural firms in Ghana. The Halms have a vision in operating their firm like Gensler, AECOM, ABSA, Standard Chartered, Tullow etc that have clearly laid down systems, processes and organizational structure. And most of all have branches all over Africa and the world. Spektra is going to be a global giant in the design and build industry... Let me hear an "Amen"!

These guys, who are also Christians, have been my mentors right from the day I stepped foot in Spektra. Most of their advice have brought me this far in my family and career lives. Thanks guys. 

Salary

I have been in Spektra for over 105 months and never for once did my salary delay or not paid. Some of my friend complain about not being paid for 3 or more months. How can you work without being paid for 3 months? Well, man has to be seen doing something right? Both salary and allowances are received on time even during the peak of the covid. All taxes, SNNIT and Tier 2 are also paid on time.

Innovation

If you have been following Spektra you will appreciate our steady growth both in architecture and construction. In our effort to being a cutting edge design and build partners in Africa, we do our best to make sure our projects demonstrate some of the latest, sustainable and cost effective and effecient technologies. We research to make sure our clients really live their dreams.

DJ Switch

After 4 years working in the design department, I lost interst in designing. I yearned to always be on the move supervising, coordinating and managing construction projects. Well that's the first time I discussed leaving Spektra with William. He and KH were surprised as they always thought I enjoyed designing. Hmmmm architorture... They listened and understood my interest. To my surprise I was transfered to the construction department in less than one month.  

In the constrcution department, I have moved from being a Project Superintendent to Project Manager and currently Senior Manager- Construction. My Spektra journey started from being a NS Personnel to Junior Architect then to Architect. 

My Colleagues

I have had and still have wonderful friends at work. These incredible guys make going to work worth it. Sometimes I wake up not feeeling like going to work. I just want to stay at home, finish up my personal projects or just go window shopping. But I remember Isaac, Addison, Holali etc and our unfinished konkonsa, task or video and like Flash, I am in the office within seconds. 

The way staff at Spektra live hamoniously with each other can be seen the moment you visit our office. Even those who leave are always there to help when I call on them. Special thanks to Frederick, my first true friend at Spektra, Ebenezer- who made mentoring worth it, Fredrick- his enthusiasm made me love construction and Francis- my BOG. Don't try to guess... lol

Organizational Structure, Policies and Respect

When you see a huge forest, do not be deceived and think it's one big tree. There are lots of  trees and each one has a position and a role needed to create that oneness.

That's the same with Spektra. We have a well structured and flexible organizational structure, which clearly spells out roles, responsibilities and positions. This also makes it easy for one to develop a career path and progress accordingly. Spektra, being a design and build firm has different departments; Design, Construction and HR and Adminstration Departments. Every department has its own structure. If you are interested and qualified to move to another department you will be encourged and supported. Just like I was.

We have a strongly developing HR department that is doing well in setting up policies and processes for the staff and company. These policies cater for the needs of the staff interms of leave, renumeration, allowances etc. Can you image your architecture firm having and following a well approved manual and policies? The moment you are employed you are given a HR manual which becomes your company bible. This helps to minimise doubts and makes one understand the general system and operations in the company.

When it comes to respect, I need not say much. Right from the board of directors, CEO, COO, managers to staff everybody, is accorded the necessary respect per position, age, skills, gender, expertise etc.

Can you call your CEO and superiors by their first name? Well in Spektra, we call each other by our first names. COO even prefers to be called KH to Karen. 

There are more reasons as to why I am still with Spektra but the above are my tops.

I know majority of you reading this article are architects working in firms or freelancing with hope of setting up your own firm. I hope you will take some cues from this write up to help you retain some of your valuable staff. Always remember that the people in the company can make or break it. 

If you have long serving employees, you have sustained institutional memory you can leverage on to grow your firm. Also issues with always going through recuritment, on-boarding and orientation processes are minimised.

Let's do our best to create the necessary environment to retain our staff.

Well, I am still with Spektra.