Have You Been Downsized?

Stop the bailouts...what a bunch of bleeding hearts. Bailout bah humbug

Welcome to the real world! Don't even think about using the words "It's not fair" We can thank the MBA's for turning the USA into a service economy. How competitive are we now with the rest of the world. We are setting a great example for the rest of the world. Take responsibility for your actions USA. Where are all the profits. Thanks you pencil necked geeks. When we stopped training people in 1980 is when the United State started hitting the skidder right down the toilet. Take your medicine and stop complaining. gee lets try and make something that people might buy. What an unusual idea.

AMEN!!!

About a year ago I left the tech industry for a position as production manager for an art studio/manufacturing facility. A real change of life. The best thing I've done in years.

Gosh I really don't know if "downsized" was the correct term for any of my career mishaps. I was RIF'ed (that was a new term for me to learn!) from an employer of twenty-six (26) years, and I was later discharged from a new employer after they were purchased by another company. But I have since then watch as many people were discharged from both companies in true downsizing efforts.

Am I concerned about my job? Always have been; always will be. I nowadays realize that it is no longer enough to just do an excellent job and behave oneself. That is my new reality.

What about a government bailout for other manufacturers? Don't do it! Oops, too late, I know. But. let's say that a government-backed loan is provided and it has exacting stipulations that critical business points must be met along a predetermined timeline, they must be maintained, and the money paid back in its entirety? Now, I will support that. But by merely providing a means of easy cash to some of our heavy industries we continue to promote a type of government welfare that rewards poor business decisions and the greed of corporate America and certain factions of organized labour.

If we lose our heavy manufacturing base we lose many well-paying jobs, and the taxes collected from same. So, I see the "ethical" side of the bailout plan from a point of social well-being. One can use Chrysler as a example of failure, success, and failure again. A quarter century ago Chrysler fell into serious financial straits due to poor product designs and poorer quality performance. It obtained a loan from the U.S. government and was able to restore itself as a key player in automotive manufacturing and repay the amount of the loan. But, Chrysler was at that time led by an engineer-not a business or financial "whiz". Now they are again in serious financial straits due to poor management decisions. The lesson was obviously not learned!

And who is Chrysler's current CEO? Why its the same person whose "leadership" sent the value of Home Depot plummeting. How this man can even obtain a job I do not know. I guess there is much forgiveness (or is that convenient forgetfulness?) at the upper edge of business management.

If you or I do a poor job, will we be bailed out? No sir, we will be kicked out-that is our reality. We have all grumbled as we watched a business climate develop where failure at the upper business management levels seems to be rewarded nearly as much as success at the upper business management levels. Can one blame it on the workers? No. Middle management? No. Upper management? Yes, a bit. The shareholders? Yes, a lot since our MBA-led business focus is on fast-tracking careers and making substantial short-term gains rather than making slow and (more importantly) continual improvement and growth.

In short, today's investors place little emphasis on growth and sustainability as long as the stock appreciates and/or healthy dividends are paid. If the stock owned today is not making substantial progress then it will be replaced with stock that will provide this progress, even if it is but short term.

It is the short-term focus that really agitates me. That is where it might be in our best interest to provide a bailout, but make it happen with stipulations that are far-reaching and long-term so the result is an improved business model. But; what does our government know about managing a successful business? Nothing. These automakers can each survive a complete bankruptcy provided there is no liquidation of assets. Sure, jobs will be lost and tax income will fall, but in the end the money that will provide the bailouts or pay for unemployment compensation programmes will come from the same source-the American taxpayer.

Best Regards,

Ing. Robert Forbus