Submitted by AnonyMouse on
in
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I work in IT for a large corporation. A year ago, my company announced it was being acquired. The deal closed almost 4 months ago. The corp has publicly announced layoffs of 15% over the next few years.
The IT organization still hasn’t completed its reorganization in the new company. The top 3 layers of IT leadership has been announced, but the full “new” organization hasn’t been promised until end of March.
The director for the department I’m “assigned” to has been selected and we know that the new org only has room for about two thirds of the total people assigned. I’ve had little visibility to the org process.
The site I work at has been announced as closing, though they have said many positions could relocate to another local site. Many of our business clients have been notified about positions and layoffs, but there have only been a trickle of people in IT getting layoff notices.
Over the past year, I feel like our group didn’t achieve anything. Those projects that weren’t canceled took much more effort for significantly less value. My performance, historically above average, was average, at best.
Bottom line: Morale sucks all around.
It’s easy to say, in times like these, "perform." It’s really, really hard to keep doing it in an environment like this for more than a year…let alone motivate others to perform.
A non-work friend suggested really hitting the job search hard, and that’s a whole additional level of emotional turmoil.
I guess I really don’t have a question, though advice and encouragement are welcome. I know what needs to be done: perform well, change what I can control, and help those I can. I also know it's going to be worse before it gets better. ::sigh:: I need a nap.
-Anon
(Looong time listener and M-T practitioner...)
Pursue your boss' goals
It sure sounds like a hard time, and it may be difficult to focus.
I have only a little advice here. There is a podcast on how to "manage your boss". As one of the points it deals with your boss' goals. If you want to make sure your performance is noted, this may be a good way forward.
Find it at: http://www.manager-tools.com/2006/01/managing-your-boss
We call it...
Our firm went through a series of acquisitions/mergers as our industry consolidated. We call the syndrome "re-org fatigue." It's natural, and you're not alone. You've got the right plan: "perform well, change what I can control, and help those I can."
Listen again to this great cast: http://www.manager-tools.com/2006/08/managing-during-mergers-and-acquistions-part-1-of-2
One more thing: hard as it is, you must update your resume, build relationships with recruiters, look at opportunities in your market, and be ready for a job change. Even if your performance was outstanding, nothing is assured under the circumstances.
John Hack
Sell Your Self to the New Management Team
How long have you been working in the company? If it has been over 2.5 years make a list of your accomplishments and start selling yourself to the new team.
Back in October of 99, I switched jobs. On Valentines day of 2000 the company announced a merger, and the hiring manager that I was so excited to work for resigned to go to our competition. March of 2000 the tech bubble burst, and I was working for a telco company that sold to test equipment to ATT, Worldcom, Lucent and other such companies. Our market was contracting and I was only on the job 4 months. Talk about a bad hand!
What did I do? After the new management team was announce which was 5 months later, I made appointments with each of the new managers at all levels of the division. I told them what I learned during my short time there, told them I was excited to learn about our new products, ready to help be a part of a new company. I told anyone that would listen, I'm ready throw me the ball!
Result - I became the lead product marketing engineer on a highly visible product that was to be launched in April of 2001. The launch was delayed, though my deliverables were ready. Once the product was launched, I went to Vegas for Interop. Then I went to Germany for sales training, then Australia and China, followed by two trips to Brazil and Argentina. I learned alot. Though it was not enough to create sales in that terrible dot com market. Then came 9/11. Game over! Laid off!
However, I was one of the last people in my group to be laid off, even my manager was let go 6 months before me.
Eventually the company went bankrupt, came out of bankruptcy and sold to another company.
I went to China to begin a new and exciting career all over again. Such is life. You'll survive, we all do. Think of what you can do that is positive and helpful for you, and make the best out of it. Do your best, focus on your goals and learn how to add value to your skills, it will come in handy.
JHB "00"
Thanks, folks. Writing down
Thanks, folks.
Writing down some of my frustrations and hearing your stories and encouragement have helped quite a bit.
Time to Keep on Truckin'.
-Anon