Rhino Office Products is a US-based office supplies company. Office Kitten is a similar outfit in the UK. Lion Office Products, a Japanese company which can trace its history back to 1792, is part of the same family. Parrot Products is all over the place, but its main nest is in South Africa.
Ever wondered why so many office suppliers are named after animals and birds? There’s never a reason without a rhyme and this one comes out of the mouth of babes and sucklings: “The animals went in two by two/The elephant and the kangaroo…/The animals went in three by three/The wasp, the ant and the bumblebee…/ When the office is clogged with animals and metaphorical porcupines mesh with pincushions, can the suppliers of quills and pins refuse to join the chorus?
Some years back, before the Bring Your Dog to Office Day became all the rage (in the US, not India), other animals enjoyed their place in the sun in the windowless cubicle farms. They raised a laugh and several humour writers made their reputations. Today, it no longer tickles the funny bone. (That’s been given to the dog anyway.) The Australian Institute of Management (AIM) even organises field trips to zoos. “Leaders of social species all face the same sorts of challenges, and there’s much we can learn, in particular from our primate relatives,” says the AIM. “We take business leaders to zoos to observe how the great apes do it (enforce discipline).”
Most employees would love to see CEOs in the zoo; it is unfortunate that they are allowed to convert the office into a zoo instead. Office Kitten asked Sandi Mann, senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Central Lancashire, to devise a test to identify what sort of animal you are. Do you put on make-up before meetings? You could be a Proud Peacock. Are you the office workhorse? You could be a Steady Tortoise. There are no horses amongst the 15 personality types Mann has developed but, then, the denizens of her menagerie are all positive creatures — no nags or other irritating equines. There is, however, an Integral Unicorn, perhaps a Flipkart approaching the $1 billion valuation (that’s what it takes for a startup to qualify as a unicorn) from the wrong direction.
What are the different species of Mann? They include:
The Intelligent Dolphin: Hyper-intelligent, you learn quickly and are quick to adopt new skills. However, as you tend to be on a different wavelength to most, you’re happy to be separated by sea from the other land animals.
The Strong Gorilla: Strong , dominant, you’re admired and feared in equal measure. Colleagues are quick to get behind you and follow your lead when it comes to implementing a new strategy or idea.
The Adorable Kitten: Everybody adores you, but you’ve got lots to learn. Even though you’re eager to progress, be careful you’re not getting under your colleagues’ feet.
The Integral Unicorn: The office myth — people know you exist, but few could pick you out of a line-up. Always in meetings, never in the office for long, you’re an integral part of the team — from a distance. You conduct your magical deeds behind the scenes with a sharp mind.
The rest of the line-up includes the Cunning Fox, the Proud Peacock, the Wise Owl, the Regal Lion, the Steady Tortoise, the Sharp-eyed Eagle and the All-rounder Butterfly.
These are the birds and the beasts your mother never told you about. It’s vital knowledge to navigate the world of cubicle firms. If you dislike the Jungle Raj, however, there are more serious classifications and categorisations
(see box). But it would perhaps be better to curl up with My Family and Other Animals.
ANIMAL FARM
5 different types of work personalities
High Achievers: Love them or hate them, high achievers are those talented, aspiring individuals whose main goal in life is to work hard and get ahead. They are persistent, single-minded and sometimes ruthless
Mr or Ms Dependable: Often described as the most conscientious of all, these workers are known for playing by the rules, turning up on time every day, persevering with difficult tasks and making long detailed lists of things to do
The Social Butterfly: These bubbly, friendly personalities love to work as part of a team rather than by themselves and actively take an interest in colleagues on a personal level
Original Thinkers: Workers in this category are known for their big-picture ideas, insightful approach to problem solving, and imaginative concepts. Highly analytical, these people are the first to speak up during brain-storming sessions and need to keep a pen handy at all times to draw diagrams to illustrate their point
Switzerland (aka The Fence-Sitters): Like their namesake country Switzerland, these people remain neutral at all times. Workers who fall in this category are essential for keeping the peace in every working environment
Source: Edited from Randstad
