Work

Is. Killing. Me.

We just did some fairly major re-assignments of various processes at my job. Myself and 6 other people are now in charge of a specialized process between my company and all the RX/Mental Health vendors throughout the entire National and Local divisions.

Over 100 clients in total. Over 2 million "bodies."

This went live on Monday. We pinged all the other units a month ago to have them tell us what issues they were experiencing, what special manual processes their clients might have, and what sort of backlog they currently had.

Do you think anyone replied?

It's beyond amazing to me how people will sit on blatantly broken processes for YEARS and not say anything, just roll with the punches. I guess it might not be a big deal when you only have 12 clients and maybe 1 of them has an issue.

It IS a big deal when within 4 days, we've discovered MASSIVE problems across the board with clients, processes, utterly STUPID special treatment contracts that shouldn't have been agreed to in the first place, and because it's 4th quarter, with 1st quarter coming up, nobody has the capacity to actually do anything about it.

Ever told a sales rep that you would not be working a single report more for their client until their issues are fixed, or until they stopped babying their client for the sake of their bonus at the expense of screwing all the people that ACTUALLY perform the services agreed to? I have. At least 10 times the week.

I have made many enemies in the last couple days.

This will be an interesting upcoming 13 months.

So here's the posed question: At your job, if you notice that something could be improved on, or that it's blatantly broken... Do you do anything about it? Or do you just turtle down and make it work even if it means horrible inefficiencies and greater cost to your company? Do you work small business, or a huge corporation?

I'm at a complete loss. I was excited for this re-organization, which is why myself and my manage came up with the idea a year and a half ago and pushed for it every step of the way. I am re-thinking that decision right now.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: At your job, if you notice that something could be improved on, or that it's blatantly broken... Do you do anything about it? Or do you just turtle down and make it work even if it means horrible inefficiencies and greater cost to your company? Do you work small business, or a huge corporation?

Yep.

I try. It's hard. I work at a place where the momentum of existing procedures and stubbornness of those involved makes it VERY difficult to implement improvements. Usually this means I am forced to "turtle down" as you say. It sucks. It berkeleying CRUSHES motivation and morale.

I work for a small business, part of a larger business, which is part of an absolutely gigantic corporation. 90% of the hurdles are local to me (in the small business, not parent company imposed).

Same here. I just ignore things because most of the other people don't care, and the ones that think they do (they don't) always make the time to critique what you're doing, but never to help. I work for a medium sized manufacturing company that's been bought and sold enough times that I'm starting to get concerned.

I feel your pain, but I think stuff like this is just considered S.O.P. for alot of companies, no matter what their core business may be. Alot of people don't like change, even if you can show them how that change can ultimately make processes better and more efficient. If it means a bit more work right now, then it's not worth the effort, regardless of how much easier the new process may be once implemented.

At my job, I decided early-on not to "turtle-down". I've made several suggestion to improve both quality and efficiency. Some were implemented, some were not. But at least I'm making the effort to make our company better.

On numerous occasions, I've completely stoppd our line over quality issues. Initially, I would get my ass reamed by my supervisors because I shut the line down for ten minutes while I waited for a Quality Engineer to finally show up. Ten minutes equals 7 vehicles that we did not build. Now the quality department knows that when I call them, they damn well better show up NOW!!!

Monkeys on a ladder Ben...

grafmiata wrote: At my job, I decided early-on not to "turtle-down". I've made several suggestion to improve both quality and efficiency. Some were implemented, some were not. But at least I'm making the effort to make our company better.

Sometimes you don't have a choice. I am constantly making suggestions to improve quality and efficiency as well. But until we implement procedures for them, I have no choice but to follow the current processes.

The good part is that working where I do, I've learned a lot about AS9100/ISO9000/whatever procedures and how to A) not write myself into a corner and B) not allow cumbersome procedures to ever be implemented... even if it's just "temporary".

Some of this is going to come off as sounding harsh. It isn't meant that way, I do understand your frustration.

That said - you just did a major restructuring and everyone hasn't adapted in 4 days? You're kidding?

It is easy to blame sales. Ever been in sales? Every company I've worked for blames the sales people for over-selling, under-working, and generally being lazy and selfish. Nobody wants their job either.

No one ever replies until it is well past too late. Then they kick and scream.

No one likes change, and yes - they would rather prop up an obscenely broken process than deal with change, even if it means vast improvement.

People cling to routine, and many have a stake in the status quo.

Sounds like management didn't get buy-in from all the affected parties before making the change. Common mistake - they think that because they see the end result, everyone will intuitively grasp it.

It is never just about "here's a better way". It is mostly about personality flaws, politics, gamesmanship, power-plays, schmoozing the right people and manipulating the rest.

That's why it is called "work".

I spend nearly half my time managing my managers, the rest doing my job. I work for a privately owned company with 1000+ employees. I am two or three tiers down from executive management, but the president of the company knows me and would take my call if I felt it necessary to talk to him. Been here 10 years, not afraid to tell ANYONE that they are full of it, and get glowing reviews every year.

You have to pick your battles, know that change occurs slowly and sometimes not at all, and realize that there are incredibly stupid people in powerful positions.

Being Self Employed makes the complaints department very simple to deal with

If you can soldier on through this, Celica, you have every right to take credit for the cost savings that happens.

DOCUMENT THE E36 M3 out of that cost savings, and bring it up when you apply for a management position.

aussiesmg wrote: Being Self Employed makes the complaints department very simple to deal with

Yeah, being self-employed eliminates alot of beuracracy... Unless you suffer from multiple-personality disorders. That's when things can really go sideways.

Ssssh, don't tell my boss I think he's a dork

bludroptop wrote: Some of this is going to come off as sounding harsh. It isn't meant that way, I do understand your frustration. That said - you just did a major restructuring and everyone hasn't adapted in 4 days? You're kidding? It is easy to blame sales. Ever been in sales? Every company I've worked for blames the sales people for over-selling, under-working, and generally being lazy and selfish. Nobody wants their job either. No one ever replies until it is well past too late. Then they kick and scream. No one likes change, and yes - they would rather prop up an obscenely broken process than deal with change, even if it means vast improvement. People cling to routine, and many have a stake in the status quo. Sounds like management didn't get buy-in from all the affected parties before making the change. Common mistake - they think that because they see the end result, everyone will intuitively grasp it. It is never just about "here's a better way". It is mostly about personality flaws, politics, gamesmanship, power-plays, schmoozing the right people and manipulating the rest. That's why it is called "work". I spend nearly half my time managing my managers, the rest doing my job. I work for a privately owned company with 1000+ employees. I am two or three tiers down from executive management, but the president of the company knows me and would take my call if I felt it necessary to talk to him. Been here 10 years, not afraid to tell ANYONE that they are full of it, and get glowing reviews every year. You have to pick your battles, know that change occurs slowly and sometimes not at all, and realize that there are incredibly stupid people in powerful positions.

I'm gonna quote this just because there are words of great truth there.

In reply to bludroptop:

All truth, for sure.

4 days wasn't really important other than the fact that it only took us 4 days to find out dozens upon dozens of issues and start raising hell about them. The bigger issue is that there are potential problems that have been going on for years, and nobody bothered to do anything about it.

When we sent out the feelers months ago to find out if there were backlogs, issues, special processes, etc... and didn't get any responses, we figured things were going well, and that's why we didn't hear anything.

Turns out it was merely that nobody cares but us.

I'm not trying to take all the credit for this whole turnaround that WILL happen whether everyone likes it or not. I work with a great group of people, and we all share the same goals in getting this crap taken care of.

Either way... we'll drag everyone into the future where everything works well and without bastardizing the standardized process that we (Myself and 1-2 others) worked for 2 years to create.

And i really don't care if they like it or not, or who we have to run over in the meantime.

I'm on a call with the VP on Monday concerning an issue that we've been having with one of our vendors. I had enough of the vendor after 2 years of dealing with them. Time to bring in the big guns, i'm not one to shy away from going as far up the ladder as i have to.

It's good to have a corporate structure that allows for changes to be made or experimenting in effiency.

Most companies are open to ways of making the process better, but you've also gotta prove your worth.

I'm very young in my career, and I've already decided that I no-longer can work for the stubborn egotistical small business owner. I'm enthusiastic about my job, I have an interest in doing something new and different every day. Having my boss tell me "this is the way we do it...so do it this way" is a hard pill to swallow.

I'm glad that I've moved up to a professional job (planning) where being progressive and always pushing for the latest and greatest way of making things better is a good trait...not something that gets you fired.

I'm still working with Zoning Ordinances from the 70's though...

aussiesmg wrote: Ssssh, don't tell my boss I think he's a dork

Probably more of a Power Dork.......

I'm self employed as well - can't blame anyone else when the complaints come in. It's been a good week - haven't been yelled at since Tuesday.

"That's the way the guy did it before me" was what I heard all the time in my last job.

Small business, and being one of three guys in charge of the whole business, I usually better things when I see I can, because I can, and the bottom line of the business directly affects what may paycheck looks like. Sometimes, as mentioned, there's no better process right now, and so things have to stand. I also always weigh the benefit / problem ratio of changing things. Sometimes the efficiency gained by a change is outweighed by the problems caused by implementing it, and if the old process doesn't have a big impact on the bottom line, I just let it go until the time is right. Basically, ya gotta choose your battles.

The customer's "oh yeah, I'm pissed 'cause it's been broken for 6 months" when they never called you is common in our business too.

Just remember, every job would be great if it weren't for the damn customers!!

In a company the size of yours, most good people learn that making enough waves is a good way to loose your job. Even if it is clumsy, it is often better to figure out how to keep your head down and git-r-done, even if it is in a convoluted manner.

This morning I spent doing PC based CAD drawings on a MAC with a Windows emulator. The Windows side of the partition did not have the appropriate access codes or authentifications and could not access the network or the wireless printers, etc. The CAD software is proprietary, and can't export a file in a manner legible to other readily available software, and we don't have a plotter. It CAN export to a second proprietary "reader", which I then had to find an online translator to convert the files to PDF's so other people can see them. Didn't work, because the translator only allowed one translation before requiring an upgraded license agreement.

The eventual fix involved translating the files through 3 programs and ultimately into a bitmap file which I copied onto a flash drive and had a co-worker print through her PC. I felt ridiculous wasting her time on such a convoluted solution, but her take was, "Don't sweat it- we are all in the same boat".

Huh??

Oh, and NONE of the equipment or software belongs to the company- most is mine, or other people in the loop.

Think I could use some tech support? Think I haven't requested it? Think I know better than to push any harder?

Oh, and this all happened the SAME DAY we were plastered all over the television news for being a community leader posting enormous successes and growth in a rotten economy.

I have convoluted solutions because management is not really as prepared to stand behind the necessary solutions as they say they are. When there is a need for money, or increased staffing, or capital forget it.

But if the TV cameras are rolling, ...

That all hits horribly close to home.

Thought it might

Just remember, my solutions got the job done. That's all management REALLY wanted. I could have spent the time (rightfully) griping and expecting them to deal with the problem. And the job wouldn't have gotten done.

They didn't hire me to point out the problems. They hired me to get the job done.

SVreX wrote: Thought it might Just remember, my solutions got the job done. That's all management REALLY wanted. I could have spent the time (rightfully) griping and expecting them to deal with the problem. And the job wouldn't have gotten done. They didn't hire me to point out the problems. They hired me to get the job done.

Yep, i hear that.

Luckily (or unluckily, either way), these issues are so huge that we (the 7) can't get the job done. The National Director is pretty sympathetic towards our issues, probably because she's gotten sick of hearing us bitch about everything for the last 3-4 years. She's a decent human being, so she's on our side.

Too bad NOBODY else is cooperating.

Oh well!

But you're right. I get paid either way.

I can think of LOTS of ways to be more efficient.

In the heat of the battle, those efficiencies may not bring value to the company or protect my job.

My ability to get the job done brings value to the company, and protects my job.

It enables the boss to stand in front of the TV cameras and brag about how wonderful we are.

And I get to come back tomorrow.

BTW- It's not just hype. We ARE a great company compared to most. I value his creative weirdness that keeps the company flourishing as much as he values my ability to get the job done.

SVreX wrote: I can think of LOTS of ways to be more efficient. In the heat of the battle, those efficiencies may not bring value to the company or protect my job. My ability to get the job done brings value to the company, and protects my job. It enables the boss to stand in front of the TV cameras and brag about how wonderful we are. And I get to come back tomorrow. BTW- It's not just hype. We ARE a great company compared to most. I value his creative weirdness that keeps the company flourishing as much as he values my ability to get the job done.

This is pretty much my day-to-day operations as well. Well said.

Well...

I just applied for a Business Analyst position reporting directly to the National Operations Director.

I know i'll at least be getting an interview, and with my specialized skillset (which happens to be the sole focus of one of the three open positions), i'd say there's a good chance of getting the offer.

I'd just have to determine within the interview just how much "Boat-rocking" they'd tolerate from this position.

If i'm going to go out (i really doubt it), i'm going to go out with a bang. I've already made a ton of great connections here with people i've worked with and for, so i'm going to take a gamble.

If i get the position and push hard to make the changes, making some enemies on the way, but end up ultimately being successful, there's the "hero" aspect. If i go out with a "bang," those that supported me would be able to supply me with references, and it wouldn't exactly be hard for me to get another job in this industry in the first place.

Bombs away!!!

Oh wait. Nevermind. Just as i hit the submit button, the internet browser that we're forced to use (Internet Explorer. Ha ha.) ate E36 M3 and decided to lose all the information that i entered on the last page.

Conveniently, this was the "long written answer page." I spent almost an hour on that page.

Looks like i get to do it again.

Note to self: For the first boat to rock, GET RID OF IE6.