Logica & you

Our business is incredibly exciting and fulfilling, but it isn’t for everyone. The pressures, demands and goals of the business might get all of us here fired up – but they might not do it for you. To get a better idea of what life can be like working in one of our businesses – and whether you'd enjoy it – take a few minutes to read through the following situations, and ask yourself truthfully what you would do in the circumstances.

  1. Q: Your project’s deadline is set in stone. Problem is, your client is making more and more last minute requests and incorporating all of them is causing major headaches. Do you:
    Knuckle down and work as fast as you can. The project is business critical and although it’ll be tough to do everything, you can understand why your client wants to add in the extra features.
    Putting clients first and understanding their point of view is second nature at Logica. So while we applaud hard work, it’s often wiser to make sure you can definitely deliver what you promise. Keeping a client satisfied also means keeping them informed about a project’s progress and making sure they’re not disappointed if absolutely every request isn’t met by a certain point.
    Take some time out to go though the requests and work out how long each will take and which will have the most positive impact on the end result. Then go back to the client with a recommended order of priority, explaining that you want to make sure the most important requests are given the time and attention they deserve.
    Well done. Even the most demanding client respects the ability to prioritise the important tasks, build in contingencies and check progress is on track.
  2. Q: One of your colleagues has broken her ankle and will be out of action for weeks, meaning that your team is busier than ever on a high-profile project. On top of it all, you’re due to go on a four-day technical training course that could be pivotal to your future. Do you:
    Rearrange the course for a later date. It’s more important to deliver the project on time, keep the client happy and not put your colleagues under any extra pressure.
    Good answer. It’s great that you’re thinking of your team and the needs of the client and don’t want to let them down. However your development is important – not only to you but to the company. And a little flexibility might mean that no-one misses out here.
    Speak to your team about the possibility of getting some extra support for when you’re away and offer to put in some extra hours before and after the course. It’s important that you keep up to date with current developments in technology if you’re to give your clients best advice.
    Almost certainly the better option. We look for people who are flexible and adaptable when things don’t go exactly to plan. So if you’re willing to do a little extra, we’re more than happy to do our share too.
  3. Q: You’re helping put together an important bid for an exciting new piece of work. However one of the recommendations a colleague has come with doesn’t quite make sense to you and you have an alternative suggestion. Do you:
    Listen carefully to the reasons for the recommendation, see where your colleague is coming from and decide to keep quiet. After all, he’s a lot more experienced than you.
    It’s great to respect other people’s views – and it’s an important part of working in a team at Logica. But you should never be shy about saying what you think. We encourage constructive debate and weigh up different opinions in order to come up with the best solution to our clients’ problems.
    Voice your concerns openly and honestly, even if you think you might look silly. If your colleague thinks you have a point, you’ll be able to put forward your suggestion then. The important thing is to work together to get the best end result.
    Spot on. We want to hear your ideas no matter how new you are to the company – and the best solutions are rarely produced in isolation. Collaboration is key.
  4. Q: You’ve heard about an upcoming project that you’re keen to work on. However, your current project still has at least three months left to run. Do you:
    Be disappointed but keep it in perspective. You want the satisfaction of seeing your project through after all, and you know you’ll never be short of other opportunities within the company.
    Optimism and the ability to bounce back after setbacks are an essential part of the make-up of everyone here at Logic. You should be congratulated for putting the client’s needs first and for recognising that another great opportunity will be just around the corner.
    Decide to canvass your Manager to let you leave the project early. Determination to succeed is one of your strong points and this new project could teach you a lot.
    Yes, the determination to overcome obstacles is important at Logica – but not at the expense of an existing client. We like our people to be committed to team goals as well as their own.
  5. Q: You’re assigned to a client site within a few weeks of joining. It means moving to the other end of the country and shouldering a lot of responsibility in the front line without much preparation. Do you:
    Feel nervous but excited. You welcome the chance to get a real insight into the client’s operation and look forward to building a close working relationship with them.
    Good for you. Around 50% of our staff at any one time work on client sites – and they do that for a reason. Being at the heart of a client business brings an even better understanding of a client’s needs and viewpoints – and a greater ability to identify and resolve issues as they arise.
    Feel anxious but relieved when you find out there’ll be more experienced Logica staff on site as well. At least you’ll be able to rely on them to do all the client liaison while you focus on the job you have to do.
    There’s no doubt that working on a client site can be daunting at first. And it’s reassuring to know you’ll have plenty of support. But it’s important you make the most of every opportunity to get under the skin of the client and become an extension of their business. And you won’t do that by relying on others.
  6. Q: The IT industry is moving forward at such a rapid pace it can be tough to keep up with developments. However, you know clients will look to you for cutting-edge industry expertise. Do you:
    Make time to scour industry magazines and websites for news stories on the latest industry initiatives and take a keen interest on what competitors are doing.
    Absolutely the right thing to do. It’s vital to be aware of global trends and to have a strong understanding of industry developments and competitor improvements. At the same time, it also makes sense to be up to speed with what’s going on in your own company too. So take time to chat.
    Make a point of networking with colleagues to find out what they’re working on. At the end of the day, Logica is usually first with everything anyway.
    We can’t deny it. You’ll find out about some of the most advanced projects in the world when you talk to the people who work here, so make the most of every networking opportunity. All the same, we don’t operate in a vacuum. So be sure to keep up to speed with what’s going on in the wider IT marketplace as well.

Thanks for taking the time to complete our quiz. Hopefully it will have given you an insight into the qualities we look for and whether you would enjoy working here. If you think you have the client focus, initiative, planning and teamworking skills t to make your mark and thrive, check out the business areas you could work in. Or if you’d like to cut to the chase, then apply here.

Straight talking from Logica