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Office Politics

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by dylan teo 2 views

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Just wondering how many CIOs are aware of office politics within their own departments. How do they handle such events.

Recently, my department is undergoing a major split-up after merger. The bought over company seems to be running the company and getting promoted. Staffs from the buying company is either being forced to leave, retire or put in miserable jobs. Surviving staffs cannot even talk freely in the office.

One can argue that maybe buying company staff are not up to measurement. Seriously, an entire department of IT professionals with degrees and above are not up to standards with non-graduates?

Does CIOs knows what's going on under them or are they just reviewing reports and statistics? How do you know your middle management is not doing something politically to consolidate their position?

How does CIOs resolve such anormalies and the impact to the organisation? More than ever management in asia are not capable of handling people issues. They are more concerned with getting credit for other people's work and climbing the corporate ladder.

Note : Please do not advise on reporting to CIOs or upper management, asians will take actions against the people who bring this up. Asian management staff are not openas American or British management on such discussions.

8 replies

by prefbid ii

If I didn't know better, I would have thought you were talking about a merger in the US. What you are experiencing is nothing new.

Are CIO's aware? Most of the time they know exactly what is going on. Can they do anything about it? Not always.

Especially during a merger its very hard to please everyone. Its also much more complicated than what everyone expected. As such, most people (CIO's included) will simplify their key decisions to some comfortable and concrete system. That system may be to focus on 9 or 10 key features such as "stay within budget". The "soft" features of a good work environment, like "treat people fairly and equitably" are harder to maintain a hold of and are often neglected.

I can tell that is whatis going on. I don't know that I know of a good way to survive it.

by dylan teo

Prefbid,

You are right in saying a merger of 2 big US
companies. Which also include affiliates in Asia.

I do understand the need to stay within budget and
all the management issues. But does it make sense
to ostracize employees of 1 company and promote
all employees of the other company.

I felt victimized, as we are assigned systems
which will be decommissioned whilst the other
group either gets promoted and work on new projects as well as support current systems.
Soon we'll be out of a job.

I have not thought the management of this huge
company, 1 of the world largest corporate will
use such dirty means. The rest of our team were
forced to retire or have already been retrenched.

With our people gone, the staffs of the other
company moves in to fill their positions.
A further announcement was made informing us that
headcount will be reduced by 50% in IT operations
by 2003.

Just a little highlight, to CIOs and CEOs out
there that the little people are being victimized.
I don't blame the top management for taking swift actions if the company is not profitable. But ours
is making profit in the worst time.

From the smallest to biggest mechincal machinery uses it. It is the very blood of our energy hungry
society. Corporate culture and department mottos,
sounds to me like echos in an empty vessel.

Only fools would belief in it now. Thank you for your input.

by prefbid ii

I went through a merger this past year. It was a bankrupt company being taken over by a profitable one. I jumped ship early in the process. In fact I only stayed on at the new company a total of 5 weeks (2 of them on vacation). I had lots of contacts left in the company and I kept tabs on the transition. Of the dozen's of IT people that I tracked, I only know of 3 that actually got a permanent job with the new company (The CIO, one of his direct reports and a web programmer). There may have been others, I just wasn't aware of them.

At the same time, the acquiring company gave out lots of promotions to its people.

All that being said, I'm glad I jumped ship when I did. I'm in a better job. I feel that since the companies showed no loyalty, they shouldn't be surprised when I do the same.

by dylan teo

eSuiter,

I guess I am opening a can of worms, most CEOs
and CIOs are probably the best players at this
game.

But inorder to highlight my point is that the
kind of politics one plays is driving some of the
best prople you have in your organization to look
elsewhere for more peaceful job.

It is very tiring to be always on the lookout. It
waste our energy and counter-productive. Most CIOs
and CEOs would rather sweep this issue under the
carpet.

But I belief that it is getting way out of hand.
Ostracism corners people and in a desparate
situation people may do drastic measures. Imagine
the aniexty and pressure you might feel if you are
in a position like me.

CEOs, CIOs and VPs take a 2nd look and maybe youcan find a solution.

by lance.gillis

Got that "T" shirt last year. Went to work for a very small firm that appreciates my talent and experiance. It turned out to be a more humane and friendly evironment. The level of my involvement and athority increased as well. My advice, find a small outfit where you can make a difference and your input matters. The money may not be as great in the beginning, but if you persist in making a positive impact, the cash will follow. Change is only as hard as we allow our fear to make it. Dumpthe jerks and follow your heart. It will turn out just fine.

by dylan teo

Absolutely what I have in mind but until I can
secure the next job I have to be the silent lamb.
Working now on database server and obsolete NT
servers.

My previous contract job with Sun Microsystems was
very satisfying. I am willing to put in the extra
mile as I was entrusted with the authority and
trust to execute my work.

Job satisfaction top my list of job selection. I
supported Nortel and Lucent PBXes in Sun. Cash is
important only that I can make ends meet but is
not my main job selection criteria.

My ex-director gives us room to improve our skill
set and soft skills. We were given room to
improve and opportunities to show the senior
management our excellence. Involvement in global projects and regional work prove our worth and
given due recognition worldwide.

Outsourcing forced me to move on, I was not confident that I can handle major projects. My director gave me full support and guidance which
help me pull through the difficult times.
We worked in a small group, we defend and
political incursions as a team (director included)
.

I am know what my heart wants, all my markers are
supporting me out there. I just waiting for my
big break to show the blind people in my company
what talent they are wasting away when I am around. Til better times, I will bear with it.

The old chinese saying, "A piece of jade is discovered in a stone, not found on the ground."
Until then I will swallow my pride and wait.

Thanks forthe advice.

by dylan teo

You got a lucky break, I know what you mean. My
department was assigned a lady as manager. She is
so obsessed with statistics and numbers. I am not
prejudice against woman or a sexist.

Work don't mean much unless it shows great numbers
on her report. We are extras in a grand show of
politics, a matter of time before we become
attrition on her report to the senior managers
due to the war waged.

I agree on your ex-company shows no loyalty. I
believe in fighting side by side witha worthy
field commander. As a general under an able
leader, I would put my life on the line if I had
to.

With my current company, it over my dead body if
they ask me to sacrifice. So far only my director
in Sun would be able to commandthe kind of
respect, demand my commitment t my work. Many of
the supervisors and managers in my current co.
can't even behave, let alone lead us.

Loyalty is commanded not demanded, leading by
example is the best way to communicate to staffs.
A final comment is that able leadship is hard to
come by but Sun Micro has one of the best in
S'pore, if not the best in S'pore.

I am glad I was under his tutorlage and leadship, I learn a lot working with him. A manager can be a
positive influence, bad one makes life miserable.

If any senior management notice our comments,
hope you can find someone like my director in Sun.
He is the kind of management that many co. need.

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