January 11, 2006

A Bit Of Why

Bad couple of weeks folks. BAD. Despite the fun had with the "take over" and the wonderful time had at Fritz Fest - it's been a BAD couple of weeks.

We are doing a reorganization at work. Always scary. Hell, terrifying would be a better way of saying it. I'm ok - just had more work added and it looks like there is a real possibility I'll see a smaller paycheck. THAT does NOT make me happy.

But here was the kicker. The icing on the cake, as it were. Yesterday we were told that we, the sales folks, are disposable. Not replaceable but disposable. Big difference there.

I know that I am replaceable. Everyone is. But disposable gives the connotation that you have no value. I've got a real problem with that. It's very hard to give your all, to really focus on bringing in results when you know that you have no real value in the eyes of your management.

And it's not just me. It's the entire sales force. All Of Us. Morale is so low it's almost painful to go into the office.

I've been a manager. And if I must say so myself - I'm a damned good one too. I think what made me successful, at least in part, is my belief in the importance of the individual. Of making sure every single person on the team KNOWS that they matter. Helping everyone to realize that the team would be different without them. It's called *Positive Reinforcement*. And it works. Really well.

So - that's been occupying my thoughts pretty consistently lately. Takes the motivation to write and/or be funny right out the window.

I'm sure things will get better soon. The universe will "right" itself and Tammi's World will be calm and peaceful again. But right now - yeah, it's kinda foggy here.

Posted by Tammi at January 11, 2006 07:02 AM
Comments

Wow, and I thought I was a bad manager.

Posted by: Contagion at January 11, 2006 07:27 AM

Horrible choice of words. One of the key roles of a leader is morale, high morale yields high output (I'm sure there's a scientific study to back me up on that, if not- trust me). The leader should never miss an opportunity to praise, encourage, and pump up his/her employees.

Unfortunately, in my experience, too often leaders in sales resort to scare tactics and threats to motivate folks. Anything I can do, let me know.

Posted by: Sgt Hook at January 11, 2006 07:51 AM

That has to be one of the worst choice of words -- and finest examples of piss poor management I've seen in years. You know I have your back, if you need something let me know.

Posted by: Laughing Wolf at January 11, 2006 08:01 AM

Sounds like a pretty shitty place to work ... but hang in there. We've got ya.

Posted by: Princess Cat at January 11, 2006 08:37 AM

Wow, that makes the football analogies we were inundated with at last night's management meeting sound pretty cheery.
Was it RSM that said there's no "I" in Team, but three of them in Multiple Personality Disorder???

Posted by: Raging Mom at January 11, 2006 09:41 AM

... two words, Tammi... bail NOW... don't give the bastards the satisfaction...

Posted by: Eric at January 11, 2006 10:09 AM

Hopefully the fog will lift soon. Lord knows we could use less of it at my house too...

Posted by: Richmond at January 11, 2006 11:57 AM

The nice thing about bein' a good sales person is that if you are good, you can sell anything, shoes to snakes, freezers to Eskimos.

Get your resume out.

Posted by: Peter at January 11, 2006 11:58 AM

Would you like me to start bringing Rockford papers down to you on Sundays? All the more reason to stop by hehehe

Posted by: ktreva at January 11, 2006 04:31 PM

I have an inkling into the insecurity of the situation. First week back this year we found out there is serious consideration to eliminate an entire department - the one I'm in. Kinda sucks to be this good and not have it make a damn bit of difference.

You've got a gift, Tam - go out and sell your selling skills to another company.

Posted by: _Jon at January 11, 2006 05:16 PM

Holy crap. That's just amazing. Everytime I think I can't possibly hear a worse story about poor management, I hear one.

Posted by: Bou at January 11, 2006 08:00 PM

I never wanted to be a manager. In fact, I wanted nothin' but the opposite. In a way, they become the company's whore.

I deal with melon heads on a daily basis. Yes, more "melony" then me, if you can believe that. One thing I always try to keep in mind is the fact that I was lookin' for a job when I found the one I have.

I ain't been through a dog and pony show(interview) in quite a while, and don't want to go through one where I'm the dog, or the pony... All companies nowadays seem to have lost loyalty to their employees. It's a one way street in business as far as loyalty goes. They want yours, but more often then not, keep theirs. Face it. They're out for their bottom line. Two way loyalty can affect your bottom line in a negative manner.

Yeah, some try to make everything seem warm and fuzzy, like a baby seal, but that's just so when the wack you in the noggin' with the walkin' tall stick, they've got a precedent for doin' so...

I'm just sayin'. Didn't mean to be a downer. I've been in the worl' long enough to get a lay of the land... I've seen some good people, and workers, get their walkin' papers. Some shit just ain't right. But it is, nonetheless.

Posted by: RedNeck at January 11, 2006 09:41 PM

Is this your boss?:

http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/dilbert-20060101.html

Posted by: Harvey at January 12, 2006 09:26 AM

those jerkfaces do not deserve your talents. you get a different job and then shove this one in their faces.

Posted by: sarahk at January 12, 2006 10:14 AM

I agree with all. Screw em! Find a good job where you are appreciated and they don't give it to you dry. :)

Posted by: McHenry_Dude at January 12, 2006 11:04 PM