Industrial MRO

I think it is pretty simple. A company's first order of business is paying their shareholders. Good leaders work toward that goal in the most efficient way that they can.

Employees are a valuable asset and resource toward that goal. A bad leader or manager may not utilize those resources effectively and decisions are sometimes made that are unjust or not in the companies best interests.

A good manager or leader will seek out employees that make the best contributions toward the company's bottom line and work hard to both recruit and retain key talent to meet and exceed company goals.

Now that you understand the base rules from a company perspective, you can now begin to shape your perspective. Never forget that you are always competing with other employees.

What that means is, if you desire to stay and grow within a company, you must work very hard to become invaluable to the company as a trusted resource.

However, even doing that is not a guarantee of remaining employed. Bad things do happen. But, if you do work harder, and you do expand your knowledge base, and you do set yourself on a course of continuing self improvement, you will have the skills and the abilities to be desirable in the eyes of another company.

Employers look for, and pay you for, the wetware programming between your ears.

If, you are unable or unwilling to do that, the only other course of action left to you that I know of, is to seek out a job that has a good union.

What that means is, if you desire to stay and grow within a company, you must work very hard to become invaluable to the company as a trusted resource.

I have to take a little issue with this sentence. In my experience, a worker who is invaluable in his position is never allowed to grow out of it. Better to cultivate a reputation as someone who can meet any challenge, but quickly grows bored. And it doesn't hurt if your higher ups know that you think they are dolts.

Of course, you have to be very good.

Spot on.

I agree with what you say is the first priority: paying shareholders. But this was already made in the times of the father of our original poster. Otherwise bankruptcy comes.

I think is more a result of business culture change. On old times, most business men take care of the future. Now I think they are just looking at very short time, trying to get the highest benefits in the shortest time, regardless the long time consequences(they think when the company fall they should be in some other one).

Of course this is not an "absolute" way of thinking and not all top managers think so.

But Del's answer reminds me what I'm telling from several years ago: We are in the second phase of capitalism, the first one was when capitalists exploited workers, this second is when managing people are exploiting shareholders.

• But this was already made in the times of the father of our original poster. Otherwise bankruptcy comes.

The difference here being the RJR Nabisco debacle. (I cannot find the evidence to back up what I'm about to say - my Google-fu having failed me - I'm going from memory here) After the dust had settled, US legislature was modified to hold CEOs and others to their shareholder's interests as the primary reason for existence. What this means is that an exec is upholding the law (technically) if they do something immoral that increases the company's stock price.

Put another way, performing an action that helps the environment and is good for the long term health of the business at the expense (however large or small) of quarterly profits is illegal.

Again, I don't remember this word for word - if anyone knows more I'd be much obliged.

US legislature was modified to hold CEOs and others to their shareholder's interests as the primary reason for existence.

I don't want to be cynic, just I'm not living in the US and un know a lot of your country (well, of mine too...) but this law you mentioned was previous to ENRON case?

All what I mean is that the real problem is not just to make laws but to comply with those already approved. In Spain, we have hundreds or maybe thousands of laws, but even the article 14th of our Constitution says that "All Spanish citizens are equal regarding laws, independent of their sex, race, religious beliefs...." everyday what any independent observer can see is quite different.

• this law you mentioned was previous to ENRON case?

Well. Nearly two decades.

• All what I mean is that the real problem is not just to make laws but to comply with those already approved.

The US has a government agency in place to essentially uphold that one law. Believe me, when it's broken, the guys in black go in and it makes the evening news.

• "All Spanish citizens are equal regarding laws, independent of their sex, race, religious beliefs...." everyday what any independent observer can see is quite different.

You guys just have bad lawyers - note that there is no mention of income in that article...

US businesses don't care because it's the law. US workers don't care because we've been told it's not in our best interest to. US businesses led the world (in our eyes, anyway) for so long that screwing the little guy became our biggest, most lucrative export. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Cheers,

-- bn

You guys just have bad lawyers

No, we have good lawyers, but they are very, very expensive and just the most mighty can pay for them....

Cheers

probably very true, and that to me would say that the shareholders arent getting the max benefit and those managers/boss' should get fired. I would say that employee ownership is crucial to a shareholder and should then be crucial to any boss. An employee should love to come to work, then at least you have someone happy, working hard on something they are completely willing to devote themselves to. But then again, this is the type of thing you get from capitalism.

Oh what do I know, just an ignorant student.

I agree...

stimulating subject.

People who start and/or own companies come from all backgrounds and walks of life.

i'm just a cubemonkey, but i realize if i don't like way things are i can start my own company.

I'm lucky enough to work for a small company (35 employees) in a high tech niche market. The products & technology are interesting to work with and the workers all pull together to get the job done. The atmosphere is one of mutual help & respect rather than bosses & workers. From what I've read here & elsewhere this in quite unusual so I consider myself to be very fortunate.

While the bottom line is always a concern, no money - no jobs, not all companies have stock holders. I work in a large city hospital. I started 30+ years ago as a part time phlebotomist. I have worked my way up to clinical engineer of a radiation therapy department. I was most fortunate to have a boss, also a 30 year vetran, that had great insight and belief in people. He realized that there are people that truly care about what they do and how they do it. He lead by example and gave praise when earned and chastized those who deserved it.

From what I have seen if a compnay has good management that can truly lead and not act as corperate puppets there is likely to be a chance that emplyee satisfaction will be high, that employee loyalty will be good and the outcome will be done great.

We all need to realize that there are managers and then there are leaders. They are not usually the same person.

Fortunately, my own specific case is good. I've been well considered by my bosses and they never asked me to do impossible or stupid things. My relationship with them could be considered as very good.

But my case is not the only. I remember some years ago when that Japanese wave of "Quality Circles" arrived here, I was appointed to attend a course for "Quality Circle Leader" and my surprise (well, not only mine, rather general) was when they explained how to motivate people. We look each other and say between us: "Then, they know how!!!, Why then doesn't apply it?"

As we say in Spain: It's easier to knock the door than go downstairs to open it.

Best regards

Employer - employee relations are a double-edged sword. There are some companies, usually privately owned, who go the extra mile for their valued employees. Then there are the others who treat employees like disposable parts. My friend has worked for a company for many years, as a sales person. He was just let go so that the owner's new son-in-law could take his position. On the other side of the coin, I worked for KJ Quinn for over 35 years, and I have seen the owner-president go to unusual lengths to aid an employee in difficulties. Look around you at your co-employees. Do they keep the place clean? Are they efficient? Do they come to work with a smile on their face? There are a lot of companies, and especially factories, where the place is a disaster, trash everywhere, dirt, dust, people are grouchy, don't relate well to each other. Fights may even break out. Where does the blame lay?

Now culture is only make more money at any cost. Jump the jobs for more money, whoever pays more join them. No dedication or loyality to company. If you stick for more than three years you are considered as dump guy. For more money work like donkey,forget family and others,even your own health, be prepared to work for long hours.This is to-day's culture.

Suresh Sharma.

I don't think any big companies really care about the individual employee. The company makes mistakes whether they be management or production related and someone must pay to show the share holders that things are being done to fix the mistakes. It is all according to how big a mistake it was as to what level of employee pays. But one thing I know is that it nearly always rolls down hill from the top guy. I have seen good people loose their job just because they didn't play the company politics game and make every thing they do a big production so their work got noticed and not claimed by someone else. Also I have seen the sorry ones keep their job by claiming the work of the others. The thing that gets me is the total lack of remorse and the "its only business so don't take it personal" attitude the upper management guys have when they let someone under them go. It is hard to be loyal and care about a company after seeing this crap go on for a few years.

pipewelder

OH! Don't think that this attitude is only in large companies.

I work in a SMALL R&D department. I have been working here for about 1.5 years. EVERY single thing that I have done here was displayed by my manager to the owners before I knew about it. I was there for one and he never said "Hey, look what bill did." He just said "Check this out." So he never "really" took credit. But since HE presented it the owners think HE did the job.

Just yesterday, I heard the owners talking and they said "Man! the new XXXXX of (My bosses name) sure looks great! We are gonna sell a ton of those!" My boss could not bias a transistor on if a gun was pointed to his head. So not only did he NOT have a damn thing to do with the XXXXX I did it ALL and HE will get all the credit.

We are a small company, only about 50 people. But when your boss tells you that you are "Not to do anything for anyone unless they fill out a request form for me to approve" You know your in trouble. He actually was angry with me because I helped one of the owners with something. He actually expected me to look at the owner of the company, the guy that signs my check! and say "Sorry..You need to clear that through my boss"

You may ask...Why I stay here. Well its easy. I have a AS degree in electronics and about 25 years of Technician experience in consumer electronics (read Old TV repairman). BUT here! I am an Engineer! I build, design, and LEARN more about electronics everyday here then I did in two years of trade school. PLUS! I get to do new things that I would never get the chance other places. Like learn to program embedded microcontrollers, and attend a big conference from Microchip that is coming up. But trust me...Once I feel like I have enough experience to land another Engineering job. My under-ware will have to catch the next buss home!

Maneging people is a art form. It starts with one simple concept. And that is the manager has GOT TO CARE about his people and there lives as much has the job they do. Its a symbiotic relationship that has to be fostered from both sides.

My boss actually nearly fired one of our team...for get this...forgetting to call in late when his wife was in a car accident and was in the hospital!

This guy quite not to long after this because he could see this guy could care less about him, his family, health, wellbeing, etc... He just wanted the work done so he could take credit for it.

I remain hopeful that one day I will find a company that will treat me with the respect that I deserve, pay me what I am worth, and know my wife and kids names. When I do I will be home and will do whatever it takes to do whatever they lay on my plate! But I not sure any exists anymore.

Mutual respect is a GIVEN when you start a new job. But it can be lost by either party in a blink of an eye and regaining this respect can be almost impossible to regain.

I Hope the poster above is right and that things will start to change for the better.

I will close with a quick story from my last job. It was time for the summer party and I needed to pick up my tickets. It "was" a Large company 1500+ employee's. I got in the line to get my tickets that were organized by last name. I got up to the girl at the desk and said my last name. she said "I don't care what your name is honey...Whats your employee number!" I left to take this job in a smaller company hoping for a change....Boy was I wrong.

Good luck all!

bill12780

That's an interesting last story. I work as a contractor at Johnson Space Center - one of who knows how many thousands. As part of NASA's upcoming 50th anniversary celebration they sold T-shirts to the employees (well worth the $5 cost). When I went to pick mine up, badge in hand, the lady asked my name, not my number.

Even in a huge operation like this, employees can be made to feel like actual people.

Gosh! you too! Your experience is virtually the same as mine except I was stupid enough to put up with it for 6years. This happens a lot in small UK companies where big-organisation "managers" are brought in to prepare the company for "growth". These people actually pride themselves on being able to lie, cheat, exploit and bury their mistakes . . . and they sleep very well at night too. Sadly, in today's business world they are usually very successful at acquiring personal wealth at the expense of all around them - because in part, they do keep the shareholders happy. . . at least for a while anyway. Just long enough. So that's ok then.

Sad but true. Good Answer.

Dragon

The individuals that make up our modern work force are not dumb. They are, as children are, a product of their environment. They know and understand that when a company needs to "downsize", it won't be the CEO, CFO, or any other member of the senior management team that will receive their walking papers, it will be them. They are also aware that, in our modern corporate jungle, the company has and shows loyalty only to it's management team and it's customers. The employees feel no loyalty from the company and because of that the have no loyalty to the company. This in effect puts all our employees on the defensive, in that they take all deviations from the norm, in there job responsibilities and performance, as a personal attack.

It has been my experience that the more technically competent the individual/s are, in knowledge and execution of their responsibilities, there more they care and take ownership of their responsibilities. Knowledge and experience seem to be self-empowering because it breeds self-confidence. In other words, once an individual has developed enough self-confidence to feel comfortable in the knowledge that they can perform their responsibilities without error, their focus becomes maintaining that level of proficiency hence the focus on improving there work lives which has to include insuring that nothing goes wrong, which would be taken on a personal level. And since it is personal, that makes it appear as ownership. Also, since the basic individual is unmotivated, the focus is insuring that nothing or no one alters "their" process which could cause unforseen issues (personal level), this also apears as ownership. True ownership is a rare occurance and is seen mostly in the skilled trades level employees and then only if the company truly empowers them.

I recently joined and am having problems logging on. If you have any comments please send them to me at skip.landry@tropicana.com

I am a lower level manager at a Fortune 500 global corporation. Our location is by far the most productive and profitable in our field in the country, if not the world. The workers are paid fairly well and the benefits are reasonable for the hourly workforce. But, the workers are unhappy and on the most part hate their jobs. Why? The management is arrogant and believes the workforce is greedy, lazy, and disposable. Management's belief is that their are 20 people waiting for each position in our facility (although this is grossly untrue). The jobs are skilled manufacturing jobs located in a small town where the education levels are fairly low. It is frustrating to see the people come to work each day to be constantly told they lack drive and productivity. I don't know if this is the norm in this country, but if it is this is a scary trend.