Monday, March 19, 2007

The Times, They Are a Changing

There comes a time in all employment relationships when things must change. Companies get bought, new cultures are introduced and an organization changes. If you hired into the new organization now, it would be just another big company; rules to be followed, supervisors to be answered to and a culture to be learned.

We (the company I was hired into) has been owned by another company for 20 years. Recently (about 5 years ago) our parent company was purchased by yet another much larger company. Now there is a desire to be a conglomerate and compete with the big boys. This push is making us change. We had, in days gone by, a can do attitude. Our catalog offered about 500 basic items, each with 5-7 options giving us a little over 3,000 products. Our specialty (this was my specialty for about 8 years) was modified products. We work with architects and designers who feel each project should be a statement, thus nothing standard will do. “I could use product AAA but I want the adjustability of BBB and add a glass…” somethingorother. Our philosophy was ‘time and money’ is the only obstacle. If you need it fast or cheaper, we cut back on some of the features… BUT we did it, I did it. As many as 140 per month usually about 100; submittal drawing, new part drawings, BOMs, production scheduling and on the floor to make sure it worked right.

We specialize in commercial, they specialize in residential… As the residential sector falls the hope is that the commercial sector can increase and even grow. Grow enough to take the company into the conglomerate, big boy arena.

(FU#1) - We merged computer systems.
(FU#2) - They insisted we change out cat numbers… all of them. Incase you have never been involved in something like that, it is like learning a new language. That thing that was an orange is now called broccoli, broccoli is now called lettuce, iceberg lettuce is called orange and romaine lettuce is now called peanut. (I live with a cross reference sheet)
(FU#3) - We formed cross functional teams (3-6 of them and one of us on a committee) to decide who had the best practice or procedure and adopt that way for the new merged system. Any guesses as to who had the best way to do things?? They did.
(FU#4) - We (the managers) learned new tricks (read – their way of doing things) but got no rewards (follows the analogy but kinda strong. We didn’t necessarily want a ‘reward’, a ‘thank you’ would have gone a long way). In the period of about 4 months, over 100 years of experience and product knowledge walked out… rumors say some were offered MUCH more money (along with other things) to stay. But to a man, they left.

There are 3 maybe 4 of us left with over 10 years each of history with this company. My 16th year anniversary is coming up in about 60 days. I don’t think I’ll make it. It’s time for a change.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's too bad DNR. Sounds like one of those: "Why couldn't they leave well enough alone?" situtations.

Good luck.

DNR said...

Thanks Freddie, yeah, if it ain't broke don't fix it!!

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear that DNR...Jose recently went through a very similar situation and had gotten so fed up he left the company he'd been with for years and started a new job in January.

Jay said...

I could never get used to all the silliness that goes on in an office. I hope to goodness I never have to learn. But you know, change can be good, even if it's prompted by less than favourable circumstances.

Kat said...

well, you know the ole saying... "If it ain't broke.... FIX IT TILL IT IS!"

bummer. :(

DNR said...

Mrs. JG – I know it happens all of the time, I just hoped it wouldn’t be me. Did it work out for Jose? I hope so.

Jay – I hope it makes things better…

Kat – LOL! Thanks… Hope changing jobs doesn’t mess with the Wall Ride vacation days… didn’t think of that…

Anonymous said...

Yes actually it did work out for the best, although it was a little scary at first. He actually is in a better position and makes more money, but a part of him still misses the old place.

DNR said...

I’m happy for your and Mr. JG.

I already miss the old place… the family atmosphere that has been replaced with ‘bean counting’ and ‘how does it affect the bottom line?’.

I believe I know how he feels.

Anonymous said...

I never understood why companies that take over other companies have to change everything. It seems like a case of someone needing to justify their job coming up with an idea that looks good on paper but is a nightmare in reality. Changing the catalog codes is idiotic, to say the least.

Kat said...

DNR - NO CHANGING JOBS TILL AFTER THE WALL RIDE!!!!! LOL

Kat said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
DNR said...

Janet – Good to hear from you!! You are right, it feels very much like ‘job justification’.

Kat – I Gotta do what I gotta do. We will see…

Deleted??? Come on guys, don’t delete your comments… Please.

Kat said...

LOL - I deleted that comment -- because the one comment I posted, posted TWICE. :)

DNR said...

LOL!!!

Dazd said...

I have been debating looking again. I've been working on my resume for a month now.

I need to find something that doesn't bore me. And pays good too!

DNR said...

Dazd - I stongly believe that 'doesn't bore you' and 'doesn't stress you out' are mutually exclusive.

The good money tends to run with the stress. Neither you nor I need that. KWIM?

Kat said...

That's true for sure... I can make WAY MORE working "in" Atlanta than I could in the suburbs. Among other things, one of the reasons is "hazard pay" for fighting the Traffic From Hell every day..... :-/

B. Miller said...

You'll be missed. Severely.

I know you've seen on my journal the posts about the fact that I'm thinking of moving back to SC... to tell you the truth, the deciding factor was all the stupid changes that have happened at our company over the past year. It's just not the same place I fell in love with a couple of years ago.

The only thing keeping me in Indiana is this job, and the rest of my family and friends are in the South. If the job isn't even making me happy any more, it's time for a change... of course, I'll still miss everyone.

Go. Follow your heart and be happy. Everybody thought I was out of my mind for leaving the comfort and safety of SC and moving 600 miles away to a place that I'd never even laid eyes on, but it turned out to be one of the best and most growth-inducing adventures of my life. Now I get to take everything I've learned and apply it to my life at home (if I ever get back there).

Just know that you're loved by your friends no matter what, and you'll be missed, but we'll definitely keep up with each other. :-)

DNR said...

b – Thanks! Like I said (and you said) the old place doesn’t really exist any more.