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  • #2266646

    Should I stay or should I go?

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    by jack-m ·

    I’m an IT dept.Manager with 9 techs and a PhD. I work for a medium sized company and have been there quite a while. I’m on a first name basis with the owner and it’s the kind of company where employees and their family problems are important. We’re pretty successful and a larger company is preparing to buy us. They have an IT dept. with a manager but I don’t know if the increase in size and customer base will support 2 IT managers. I don’t want to quit as I’m pretty settled, familiar with our customers and their equipment. The larger company has already approached me with an employment contract offering me a hefty raise to stay. If I stay I’m afraid I’ll be downgraded to a tech or worse terminated once they’ve picked my brains.
    If the customer base increases as they expect they may need two IT managers.(unlikely) Our businesses overlap with me being the communications engineer and IT mgr. and he being a computer engineer(non-degreed). At my age I don’t want to start over but I’m afraid once they’ve picked my brains I’ll be history.
    Anyone ever been in this type position with advice to offer? This deal isn’t going to be complete till August 1, 2007 so I have a very little time. Thanks for your time and attention.
    Jack

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    • #2585498

      I’ve had a similar point in my career

      by tony hopkinson ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      Not a buy out, but a completely new management team, fetching in it’s own people. Offered me an extra twelve k and a promotion to stay.

      However they had a very bad habit of breaking promises, the new IT director was big on having his people in place, and I had little time or his big plan to turn the job round. New broom same sweeping action.

      I left, three months later they went bust.
      Not because I left, I’m not that big headed. :p

      Don’t be in a hurry to go, but keep the radar spinning, if they do plan to get rid of you, intimations of doom will abound.

      • #2584964

        Nothing to lose

        by dt2 ·

        In reply to I’ve had a similar point in my career

        It seem that you have nothing to lose by taking a position with the new company. You’re out of a job if you don’t, anyway. I’d accept the offer (you don’t actually have to take it when the timne comes) but keep looking in case something extremely good comes along. Who knows, maybe they’ll see your qualifications, make you manager and move the other guy to tech support.

        • #2584895

          Easier to get a job when you have a job

          by neil.larson ·

          In reply to Nothing to lose

          I’d take the offer and get looking for a new job ( if you have concerns ). Like it was mentioned — keep the radar up and running — you’ll see the writing on the wall. It’s easier to look for another job when you have a job. I hate un-employment etc. myself.

        • #2584782

          Not me and not that clear cut

          by tony hopkinson ·

          In reply to Nothing to lose

          As the guy following said it’s easier to get a job when you have one, though I’d amend that slightly to it’s easier to get a better job when you have one.

          Keep the radar spinning, it’s the I’m indispensable, it won’t happen to me types who get done up the back while their head is in the sand.

    • #2585462

      Some thoughts about this

      by techexec2 ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      .
      ** Reality: You’re about to lose something very significant and there isn’t a whole lot you can do about it. Your relationship with the old company and the old company’s owner was your greatest strength. You still have your skills and knowledge, but those are less powerful. And, your advanced age and advanced salary level is a definite negative.

      ** Golden parachute: If they are serious and honest about keeping you, they will have no problem including a generous “golden parachute” clause in your employment contract. If they let you go, they have to pay you a cash severance payment of 5 years’ salary. After all, the clause will cost them nothing (unless they plan to let you go that is). Does this sound crazy? It shouldn’t. Executives get deals like this, and much much better, all the time. Demand an honest relationship with the new owners. Demand that clause. If they refuse, you know exactly where you stand right now, and don’t have to wait to find out a year from now. And, don’t accept the “we don’t do that sort of thing” response. That’s a dishonest response. They can do anything they want to do.

      ** Full benefit vesting: You should be getting full benefit vesting in the new company carried over from the first day at the old company (pension plan, retiree health care, whatever).

      ** You are already starting over: The fact is, you are starting over because your greatest strength is being eliminated. Looking at it that way, being downgraded out of management is not the worst thing at all. If you want to stay in management, you may have to switch companies. Or, perhaps you can dazzle the executives at the new company and reestablish the same or better position of strength there.

      Good luck!

      • #2583466

        Overstated

        by prefbid ii ·

        In reply to Some thoughts about this

        Your suggestion about a golden parachute is extremely overstated. Many, if not most, companies only offer parachutes to Senior Executives — and some are not even offering those anymore. A lot depends on the size of the company. A 50 person company being bought out by a 100 person company is not in a position to be offering parachutes to anyone — certainly not in the 5 year range.

        Asking for a parachute is probably harmless, but threatening to leave without one is foolish unless you happen to know that your knowledge is the absolute key to the corporate success.

        Aquiring companies have built in motivation to see as little technical turnover as possible. My experience has been (from the view of the buying company) is that 10% of the people will bail in the first 6 months based on a perceived threat. They are not usually the highest performers, but it is a pain to deal with. These people would have gone no matter what since they are jumping based on fear and not knowledge.

        Another 10% will go within the next 6 months because they found better opportunities. These are people who started looking “since everything is up in the air anyway” and found a good deal. These are often the best the acquired comapny had and could have been prevented with a realistic incentive package.

        After the first year attrition returns to normal. At some point you realize (around the 2 year mark) that you picked up some dead weight in the deal. These are the bottom 5-20%. These are the ones that you get rid of.

        Timelines for these events change based on the profitability of the combined company. If one or both of the companies were bankruptcy candidates, speed up the timeline considerably. If the deal was actually a finacial disaster — bail, because a bad acquisition will start random layoffs.

        • #2583366

          Overgeneralized

          by techexec2 ·

          In reply to Overstated

          .
          [b][i]”…Your suggestion about a golden parachute is extremely overstated. … A 50 person company being bought out by a 100 person company is not in a position to be offering parachutes to anyone — certainly not in the 5 year range…”[/i][/b]

          Let’s make up some statistics about the size of the companies and then use it to criticize my advice. What an excellent straw man.

          If “Jack-M” is as important to the old company as it appears (“hefty raise to stay”, language, reading between the lines), he should not be bashful about seeking to establish a solid relationship of respect with the new company. He doesn’t do that by meekly accepting what they offer. His greatest remaining position of strength is during negotiations with new company BEFORE he signs any contract. After he signs a contract, his power drops dramatically. If he really is special and the new company is honest about wanting to keep him for the long term, and not just to extract his knowledge and then dump him, they will accommodate things he asks for during negotiations, especially if [u]they cost them nothing[/u]. If they are not accommodative, that will give him a clear message [u]right now[/u].

          If he wants to get the best deal, [u]he must ask for it[/u].

          [b][i]”…but threatening to leave without one is foolish unless you happen to know that your knowledge is the absolute key to the corporate success…”[/i][/b]

          I never said “Jack-M” should “threaten to leave”. Another straw man.

          [b][i]”…Many, if not most, companies only offer parachutes to Senior Executives — and some are not even offering those anymore…”[/i][/b]

          “Jack-M” should not make decisions based on what “many” or “most” or “some” companies do. This varies widely and there are no set rules. Key people, key executives, key managers, and key senior staff, get great deals only when they know their position of strength and negotiate accordingly. I assumed “Jack-M” wants to achieve a great deal for himself and provided advice accordingly. If I thought he wanted to achieve mediocrity, [i]I would not have taken the time to post any advice at all[/i].

          [b]If you don’t want a direct response…[/b]

          If you don’t want a direct response, then don’t challenge someone else’s advice and just offer your own directly.

        • #2584887

          Too quick

          by jack-m ·

          In reply to Overgeneralized

          The more I think about this the more I realize I was way too quick (and flattered)
          to publish what sounded terrific at the time.
          I’m now being a lot more cautious as the feeling I’m being used grows stronger.
          This whol;e deal is moving quickly, perhaps at the present owner’s urging. I have to just wait and see what happens and how they unfold.
          Jack

    • #2585426

      Thougths

      by meyou-and-them ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      If I may offer my recommendations…

      Change is constand in life….and we all must adapt with it…nothing last forever…especially in Technology lifespan..

      With that said…

      The new manager will be fighting the IT forces at hand…and the buying company will need your skills to successfully migrate your comapny into theirs…even if their intentions down the road are to omit, this will still be at least 6-12 months down the road ( maybe longer)…and will leave you some more time for thought.. If you do not accept the higher offer..they are still going to need you to consolodate…

      Since you have stated you may be a senior gentelman..you may want to consider the $$$ depending….

      Customer based increasing is a forcast….and forcasts and migrations/consolidations both have something in common…..they can fail…and since every company depends upon succesfull technology base…they are going to need you to make this happen..( at least until if/when they complete the consolidation)…

      These are my thoughts and I hope they shed some light so you can make the most appropriate decision for yourself….

      Best Regards
      RF

      Keep your resume updated,,,skill sharp, and keep in good standing with your present peers and assiciates..
      1.) Never become settled..technoology does not…and neither should you ….The IT industry ( corp America) has already shown us their intentions in the past as we are all numbers to the bean counters.

      Speak with the owner and present the situation to him if you are in good standing..

    • #2583607

      Tough choices

      by mjd420nova ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      You made no mention of the benefits package involved but that has to weigh pretty heavily in the choice you make. Depending on the size of the company buying you out, they should at least be comparable. You won’t really know what your eventual position will be for at least another six months if you do sign on, but I would feel that the papered person would get the senior job over a non-papered person, regardless of previous positions unless the other IT guy is an a$$kisser and brown nose, but you’ll find that out in the first week. I give it a go and see what pans out before making any career moves. It can be pretty tough finding another position and the benefits again play more of a part for the older worker.

    • #2583590

      For me it’s the money…

      by taboga ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      Positive working relationships are a good thing, please don’t take me wrong. But in the end, it all boils down to financial gain. Financial gain is the ONLY reason we work to begin with.

      Trying to predict what may or may not happen down the road is usually a waste of time IMO. And I would be willing to be that the new company that is taking over — don’t know what their plans are for you. How then could you possibly know.

      Some have said to keep your eyes open for other positions out there just in case. I agree. But isn’t that something we should always be doing? The “age” thing is overblown too IMO. If you’re good at what you do — you’ll get a job. Besides, it’s not like a perspective company is looking to sign someone on for 50 years anyway. The way our profession comes and goes every couple years, employers are not really concerned about long-term investments in personnel.

      If you like the money they’re offering — take it. If you find something better a week later — quit. When it comes to jobs, money is everything to me. It’s the only thing you can control and depend on.

    • #2583583

      Don’t Decide Based On Fear

      by wayne m. ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      My recommendation is to stay and see how it plays out. My experience has been that it takes the acquiring company 9 – 12 months to figure out what they’ve bought and start instigating changes. I would recommend that you do start looking for a new company, but set your bar really high. Look for the nearly ideal position; you have the time to be really selective.

      Also, remember that if you stay, you will have at least some opportunity to preserve some of the corporate culture. A good relationship with the current owner may put you in a good position to recommend approaches to new policy, etc. that will affect the staff.

      Give things time to play out, but realize the real changes won’t happen on day 1, they will be a year down the road. If you can find a better opportunity, go for it with no regrets, but while you are at your current job, you can work to make it your ideal.

      • #2583457

        Agree

        by prefbid ii ·

        In reply to Don’t Decide Based On Fear

        I would add that most acquiring companies are not necessarily enthralled with their own people. You can not tell before the acquisition who is the top candidate for a leader position. When the buying company is huge, there is a chance that you become a faceless number and they won’t take the time to evaluate who needs to stay and who needs to go. Smaller companies can’t afford to skip the evaluation process.

    • #2583564

      Stay but look…

      by slappymcnasty ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      I’ve been through a couple of buyouts on each side. Some of the other posters have stated that there will be a grace period before anything is decided (I would put it more in the 9-18 month range).
      Take the gig with your eyes wide open, but shop the market to see what else is out there.
      Only other thing is to read the contract extreemly carefully, look for non compete clauses, paybacks for early termination, or language indicating short term employment. One other thing to look for is “milestone guarantees, meaning after some time period you will receive such and such a raise, bonus or additional benefit…

    • #2584401

      What do you want to do with your life?

      by madsmaddad ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      A couple of other replies have suggested that you are ‘getting on’ but I don’t see that in your question. If you are, then it is necessary to think about what you want to do in the future. Do you need the money? Do you want to move, if the worst comes to happen.

      When the company I worked for was bought out, there was a rumour that they would maintain a ‘centre of technical excellence’ in our area. – Hogwash, we were all made redundant if we didn’t want to move or commute at least an hour each way.

      I decided that I didn’t want the commute- I haev spent enough time on the road, and looked around. I have changed my whole path and found a position teaching technical stuff at the Local University.

    • #2584371

      New is scary

      by bobhaines1 ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      I have been in a situation where the company was merging with another. The choice was to stay or go. Both involved working for new management. There is always the chance by moving to a new job that you go from the frying pan to the fire.

      What you could do is to sit down with your new boss and ask him what are his problems? With your knowledge, can you help solve some or all his troubles? In a new organization either you win or the other manager wins out for the IT position. If you help your manager solve his problems maybe it is you who would survive. There is always the chance that the IT manager in the old company has a very good relationship with the management. If you find that no matter what you do, it does not look good, you can reevaluate what your options are.

      If the company is growing, is there another closely aligned area that needs managing? I have found in my career that my job was constantly changing and I had to change with it.

      Think of the situation as a new job. You have to impress your new employers. If you do, great. If you don’t, then you will have to keep trying to find a new position either with the same company or with another until you do. Life does not come with guarantees. A new job could be worse or better than the one you have.

      If you do stay, you will get the opportunity to see how the new company does things different from your own company. This is a good learning experience opportunity. Is what they do better than what your old company does? Then help merge the old system into the new one. Is what your old company does better for the bottom line of the new company, then you could ask if the new management would like to migrate to the new system. Is there a third way of doing things that is proven better than what you both have? Then you could suggest to lead a study group to explore the benefits of the third system for the combined new company.
      If you believe in yourself, the situation could be managed into an opportunity instead of a disaster.

    • #2584367

      I’m an IT dept.Manager with 9 techs and a PhD!

      by preistland47 ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      Let’s turn the table around- You’re number one in your dept. You’re on first name terms with the owner, so obviously you have a certain degree of power, you have been there a while and so you’re well respected.
      Your company is ‘pretty successful’ yet you’re smaller than the one who’s buying you out. You’re business, it seems, is a bit of a threat to them!
      Sounds to me as though it’s their IT manager who needs to be a little bit cautious. Can you get to know the guy a bit before you sign, he doesn’t have a PhD! He doesn’t know your customers or their businesses- use that to your advantage.
      Always think of Number 1- You! After all this is business remember!- You have rights, get a solicitor to check out that contract and see if he can work it to your advantage. Get one of these ‘2-3 or 5yr salary’ clauses. It’s true, it won’t cost them anything if they keep you!
      If this company has already approached you with a ‘hefty raise’ in that contract then they must think you’re worth it!
      But you want a title within that contract, use that PhD to your advantage, don’t accept a downgrading, and certainly dont let them ‘pick your brains’- always keep a little bit back!
      Overall- go for it! and if you do find yourself looking for another job, then at least you will be leaving a ‘bigger’ company than you’re with now!
      Aim high- go for the top, broaden your shoulders and don’t let them knock you down.
      I wish you every success, whichever path you choose

    • #2585047

      Do you trust the new guys?

      by david ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      I was in a similar situation. I had helped build a small firm for 15 years. I was the first to be made “Partner” in the firm. I felt pretty secure. Then I got a call and learned that the company was being bought out. I worked twice my normal hours for the next three months during the transition. I was even on the transition team. All the time being assured that I was “part of the family” and that I was partly responsible for the success the owners had enjoyed. I was told I would always have a place at the table. When the transition was complete I got a call from the IT manager at the new company on a Thursday telling me to clear out my office on Friday. They just didn’t need the overhead. Just remember that no matter what your relationship with the old boss, you have a new boss. You are the “new guy” now and your personal relationship with management doesn’t exist. Do you trust the new company? If you can get a good severance package written into the contract that would be great. Although it might not seem important try to keep your title or a similar one. If you have to go job shopping you don’t want your resume to look like you were demoted and then let go. I hate to seem pessimistic but today the company stock price is much more important than the people. I wish you the best of luck. I am glad I don’t work for the new company. Within a year 70% of the smaller company was gone and two divisions of the bigger company were shut down. I can’t help but think I am better off. Again, I wish you the best of luck no matter what you decide.

      • #2585025

        I think you should stay

        by mikegall ·

        In reply to Do you trust the new guys?

        I agree with most people, stay but keep looking ofr jobs. You have a lot going for you:

        1) your educated and the other guy isn’t
        2) since you know the customers you seem to have proven you business mindset (can the same be said for the other guy? Something to look for, if he is the typical IT guy, he might be so in love with the technology/busy that he doesn’t have a clue when it comes to business) Being in a smaller company you probably had a bit less systems to manage, so you might have had time to get business experience that a guy in a larger company wouldn’t.
        3) Bigger company, now a bit bigger as well, depending on the initial size of the acquiring company, this might put them in the size where they need some new senior management positions. Would you be interested in a CTO or chief architect position? Again, you have the education and experience, the other guy doesn’t.

        Companies don’t like to have people with titles like CIO, CTO with no letters after their name. It makes there business look like it is run by amateurs.
        4) Finally don’t fear that the downsizing will look bad on you, the people who will be interviewing you will understand what acquisitions/mergers do as presumably they are interviewing you for an IT position themselves.

        That being said I wouldn’t blow my big raise either. If your like most people you probably don’t have enough of a savings. Funnel the extra cash into short term investments, if you do end up losing your position, you’ll want about 3 months salary to give you time to search. I agree you should have at least 6 mths before anything happens as they will need time to evaluate the company, and pick your mind. Use that time to save like crazy. If you stay on, push the money over to your retirement savings, if you don’t you have it.

    • #2585030

      At your age?

      by eoghan ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      Dear IT Mgr, my age is nearly 60, and I’d start over in a second.

      I’ve been where you are, and yes, things change. But they’ve offered you more money to stay. Better than be asked to stay (please be loyal to us) and then getting the kiss-off at the end (been there too).

      My advice, sign the conract as fast as possible. It is your guarantee of income. And your free ticket to go ahead and keep looking.

      Do I understand it is YOU with the PhD? In that case the pay raise is probably in recognition of your education. If they try to make you a tech, remember, you are the manager. You take that to your boss and tell him, Hey, I was a manager when you asked me to stay and stay I have, so what’s up?

      Nothing wrong with technical skills, but best to keep them under a basket and let the newbies shine. At least you have something to discriminate the truth, and not a lot of IT managers have that.

    • #2585010

      Unanswered Questions

      by madsmaddad ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      There has been lots of good stuff here for you to think about.

      Please do let us know what you do at the end of the day. I hate those shows on TV, even news items etc where something happens and you wonder what the outcome was.

      • #2584892

        I’ll let everyone know when I know.

        by jack-m ·

        In reply to Unanswered Questions

        This whole thing is moving too quickly for a naive country boy. The more I ponder it the less realistic it seems and the more I think I’m being used for a short period of time and then spit out like a chewed up piece of gum. Just call me worried.
        Jack

    • #2584991

      Lots of good stuff here

      by mlashinsky ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      There is lots of great advice here. As I see it:

      1) If they are offering you a contract, there is room for negotiation. Keep it realistic, but ask! If this is a medium sized company, and they cannot afford a 5 year golden parachute, ask for what you actually need. How about a 6 month severance package with a continuation of benefits throughout that period? That seems reasonable, if you are bringing as much to the table as you say. If they won’t commit to that, you probably don’t want to work for them anyway.
      Remember, no matter how much you know about the customers and technology, a minute after the transfer, they already have the customers and technology. No one is indispensable. They might lose the customers and fail to use the technology correctly, but they can also limp along, hire a contractor, and make apologies well enough to pull it out without you. Some companies would rather take the hit than feel like they are being blackmailed. Be sure you let them know, you are not trying to put the screws to them, you just want to prevent getting screwed yourself.

      2) Talk to the Boss, the new one, and ask what the company goals are. Show him/her how you will be committed to those goals. (If you don’t like the boss, or the goals, coast at your new salary until you find something better.) He is not just interviewing you, you are interviewing him too.

      3) If you are really that solid with your old boss, ask him his/her opinion on the offer, the new company, and your concerns. Let that help you decide, but not decide for you.

      4) How committed are you to the company/product? Even if you personally built that tower with your own hands, it isn’t your baby. It never was, that is why your old boss was able to sell it. If it is your life’s vision to complete this work: a) try to get the new management to see your commitment as well as your expertise so they will value you more; b) get a life. It is just a job; c) go into business for yourself and bring as many of the customers with you as you can. You haven’t signed a contact with them yet, now is the time. d) If you really don’t think they will keep you, become an independent contractor and charge them as much as the market will bear. They will still get rid of you when the time comes, but you will have made more $ and have your own consulting business up and running.

      Just some of my thoughts. Now all the more qualified posters can tell me how wrong I am, how many laws I violated, and such…

      Best of luck.

      • #2586037

        more on pt 3 &4

        by madsmaddad ·

        In reply to Lots of good stuff here

        Pt 3. I still have the tapem recording of my ex-Boss telling me that my job was safe, That I was so good technically that they wouldn’t want to get rid of me… It gave me a warm feeling at the time, but I ended up out in the cold.

        Pt. 4 How many people do I know who were in a similar situation and ended up as contractors to their old company because they were the ones that knew how to do the stuff? — too many to count. A possible viable alternative.

    • #2584941

      You Are Experiencing The Mushroom Effect

      by coffee junky ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      mushroom effect – keep you in the dark, feed you manure, and can you – when you grown. Had Qewest communications do this to my office on a thursday and fired 45 out 50 people, the best were kept ? eventually the 4 top people and I left… AS for employment contract, think of it as a pre-nuptial aggreement (it is a vanilla contract – it heavy favors the offering party) if you ask ? would you mind if my lawyer reviews it ? and the response is NOT ! SURE, no problem and our lawyer is …. and might instead – you dont need a lawyer ? tell me in what professional arena where employment contract are the norm sports, tv actors, film, tv news, corporate..) they would work without one reviewed by their lawyer ???
      Your lawyer – will remove their discretion to fire at will, and might go for an agreement that provides: severance based on years employed – say 6 months base plus one month for every year, example a 12 year stay = 6 months+ 12 months = 18 months of pay. Citibank aggreed to something similar ! for myself, and provided me full benefits over those months.

    • #2584935

      Tech has some good points

      by dr_zinj ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      Your job is changing even if you’re in the same position. Do you WANT to work for the new company?

      Just on the info you provided, I’d venture to say you’re better qualified for the position than the new company’s current manager.

      So if you want to keep that job, or jump to the higher position within the new company, treat it like a new job. Research the new company, talk to the people and the managers, figure out what makes them tick and what they need the most and then give it to them to demonstrate you’re the one to retain.

      A golden parachute and full vestment are both valid parts of the salary negotiation. Like Tech said, if they are going to keep you anyway, then the parachute and the vesting are zero cost to them. And if they won’t give them, then you know EXACTLY where you stand and can get on with a real job search.

    • #2584934

      no clear answer, but some things to consider…

      by prussell23 ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      Hi Jack,

      I feel for you. Let me start by saying that I am not a career counselor or psychologist by profession. I have managed a number of organizational changes and coaching bright, technology professionals is what I enjoy most.

      You obviously feel loyalties for your current employer but aren’t sure those will be reciprocated once the new regime takes over in August. It’s a good bet they won’t.
      Some things are pretty universal in a merger or buy-out when a largely intact group takes control of the newly formed entity:
      1. Changes take place at a fast pace for a while. Then if management is on target with its Phase1 Plan, things stabilize a bit until results can be assessed.
      2. Key personnel (it sounds like you may be one) are needed to stick around and make the transition successful. This is especially true for a key person (or a few, depending on size and complexity) who really know the guts of the business systems. Whether or not they are needed long term depends on their individual transitions and each workers ability to forget about “the way it used to be” and get on-board with the new program – whether you’re talking about the company as a whole or an individual’s job.
      3. Your position, if you stay, is essentially a new job for you. You’ve got to treat it as such. Your new employer doesn’t know you well enough to attach much intrinsic value to you. You’ll have to earn that. Like you say, they will want to take full advantage of your knowledge and experience. At a base level, that?s what?s in it for them. On the flip side, you shouldn’t feel any burden that you owe them anything other than what you contract to do for them. Remember, this is a new job. So, if it works out and is ____ (fill in whatever motivates you) for you, then you stay and life is good. If not, you manage the short term as best you can and begin planning your next move. This may sound cold and uncaring, but it’s the economy in which we work.
      Now for my coach?s speech: figure out what you want to do and be committed to it for a period of time. Have your own Phase1 plan, if you will. There will undoubtedly be a lot of office scuttlebutt and some folks are going to feel disenfranchised by the changes. That?s unavoidable. DON?T ALLOW YOURSELF TO GET CAUGHT UP IN IT. There are at least two good reasons I say this. The first is, it is unhealthy and unproductive for you. It may feel human to support others during a difficult time, but by doing so you empower a very unproductive behavior in yourself and in those others who choose to agitate a situation instead of either supporting the change or stepping aside and giving those who do support it a fair chance of succeeding. My second reason has to do with your professional reputation. Whether you stay and find a new home in the newly formed organization or decide to move on to a career elsewhere, your reputation is one of your primary assets. Remain positive in your attitude and demeanor. Hold your head high regardless of what others are doing or saying around you. What others think of you (your reputation) isn?t only fueled by what you say or the work you produce, but it is often a function of how you are perceived. Make a decision, be committed to that decision and when a change is warranted, make the change and begin again.

      Good luck, Jack. I?d enjoy hearing how it goes if you feel like corresponding.

      Patrick R. Russell
      Prussell23@hotmail.com

      • #2584792

        Good Advice: Don’t Get Caught Up In It

        by wayne m. ·

        In reply to no clear answer, but some things to consider…

        Patrick offers some good advice. During an acquisition, there is usually a lack of information. Part of this is that no one really knows what the end result will be; most of the ongoing effort is going to be legal and contractual and most of this information will be, by necessity, kept hidden from most employees.

        On the plus side, you have been offered a raise; this is a very good sign. If the new company only wanted to pick your brain, the standard approach is to offer a 2 month or so transition contract at current salary.

        For the short term, an IT Manager is a fairly secure position. On Day 1, your company will still use and manage the IT infrastructure that it has had in the past. The next step will be to integrate e-mail, networks, and applications. This will be a great opportunity to work with and get to know your counterparts at the other company. There is a risk (9 – 12 months out) that they may eliminate your position, but everyone likes a team player, and good working relationships can often overrule financial concerns.

        Take the offer of a higher salary as a good faith statement of intent and don’t get too concerned about lack of information – lack of information is standard. Once the IT effort to unite the companies begins, work closely with your new peers with the intent of making everything in the IT house transition smoothly. There are no sure things, but don’t get too worked up about the transition. Wait until 6 months in and make a decision based on the facts.

    • #2584906

      A different approach

      by shujach ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      Fear, is something that creats a bad experience by itself, whatever that is there for you in future will be dictated by the emotions you have TODAY. so be aware of your FEARS (False Evidence Appearing Real).
      If you keep the emotion of fear alive, then be ready to face the same as real. BUT this is also true in quantum physics that positive visulizations bring Positve events. Anyway the bottom line is
      “” Thoughts becomes Things””. whatever decision you take, must remember to fore see a bright future for yourself, think positive, make positve.
      Good Luck for a happier journey
      ———————————-
      Love n Light

    • #2584842

      You have more to gain …..

      by cedric.tanga ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      Be positive & proactive, …. consider this that you are successful, the big boys wanted your biz and now you can pik their brains.
      You will have access to resources that you may have dreamed about.
      The only point I would consider with your new contract is not so much the money but the scope of what you can do, what you have access to, how much freedom you have, and ensure that what R&D you do is ALL or at least 75% yours in value.

      Think about what you have to gain!

    • #2584835

      Stay and reap the benefits.

      by aljatrad ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      If as you say the company buying out the company you are with, has offered you a “hefty” raise to stay, means that they want you, whether that is as a tech or IT manager, doesn’t really matter, “they want you”. I am sure you will be able to work out the finer details as they progress in time to come, is the title “IT” manager worth the prestige? I have worked in the 2 way and marine electronics industry where I was being paid more than the Supervisor, just to be a “Tech” because they wanted me. Titles mean nothing unless the dollars are there too. What the heck are you worrying about, as you work in any industry people are picking your brains all the time, just be big enough to have confidence in your ability, and let life flow along, enjoy it.

    • #2584758

      I’ve seen it happen many times

      by docshub ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      Start looking so you have a head start. Save your money and do not make any major life changes right now.
      If you have a cheap salary, they may choose you and get rid of the higher salary person.
      The most likely thing to happen is not keep you to pick your brain, it will be to offer you a package and let you walk.

    • #2586086

      Stay

      by r2warped2 ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      Used to be Operations Mgr./IT person for a growing printing co. New Boss gave me a hefty raise, fired me as soon as I got everyone up to speed. He told the unemployment people he fired me for incompetence. When asked, I told the unemployment people to ask why he gave me a $2k/mo. raise if I was incompetent. I got my unemployment, which kept me going till I found a good job. (NOTE: I also banked all the “raise money”, since I suspected his motives. That helped, too).

    • #2586035

      Hi Jack

      by richard.gardner1 ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      Your call sir, but I was in a similar position 3 years ago and staying was the best decision I ever made.

      First off – is the company public or privately owned? If they’re answering to share holders their decisions will be a lot less friendly to people and families – if they’re private they can be a lot more patriarchal in their outlook.

      Secondly – are you any good? If you’ve been out to pasture and not doing a lot then I’d probably be worried – if you’re proactive and have plenty of ideas I wouldn’t be worried.

      Also, I don’t know about the States but in the UK we have laws when we’re being taken over that our period of employment is continuous, so over here you’re looking at 9 years redundancy if they want to get rid of you.

      Personally I’d take the cash, work my hardest to ensure I stay and take the redundancy if it comes to it.

    • #2586006

      Been There, Done That

      by donb51 ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      While all situations are different and require their own unique analysis, a course of action for you depends on a lot of things. For me, when I was in your situation, there were some moves made by company before they were bought that set the tone for the actions that followed. For example, my company fired (layed-off) 100 people without any notice. They were ordered out of their offices in one day. A lot of these people were my friends who I had worked with for over 5 years and they were just gone.

      Also, after it was announced that we were bought, all the senior vps and senior managers were just gone one day. They disappeared without a trace. We were told to just keep doing what we were doing but don’t do anything new.

      After about two months, I was finally told to turn over all my projects to a certain set of people and I was going to get a “new” project. A lot of us had had no interaction with any of the new people from the new company. I sort of just resigned effective immediately and after looking back on where that company is, I am glad I did. They basically bought our company to shut down our competitive products that were in competition with their products. Everybody who had stayed eventually were gone within two years.

      Again, everything depends on what is going on now and what actions were done prior. There was no action on the new company’s part to make the bought employees feel welcome. In fact, they replaced everyone with H1B visa techs from India.

    • #2585913

      It Happened To Me Too

      by mr_sprouts ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      I took the money and 16 months later, after disconnecting from the existing parent and integrating into the new parent, downsized.

    • #2585889

      Why not wait and see ?

      by highlander718 ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      Even if they want to get rid of you later, you should still receive a nice severance package that would give you the time to search for something else.
      Why jumping from the boat when it’s not sinking yet ?

      • #2584063

        Nice severance package?

        by mlashinsky ·

        In reply to Why not wait and see ?

        If it isn’t in the contract, there is no reason to believe you will get a severance package. Get it in writing. As I stated before, 6 month severance, 3 month severance, figure out what you need and ask for it. If they refuse, you know their intentions.

    • #2585878

      State you conditions

      by sir.ptl ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      I retired from management in 2004 albeit not from the IT profession. In my experience with those situations you don’t want to just sign whatever they offer you. If the deal is lucrative have a lawyer look it over and tell you what your and their options are before signing, it’s probably worth the cost if only for peace of mind. I would give the matter careful consideration, decide what I want from the company, decide what my goals and ambitions are and sit down with them to negotiate a deal that makes sense to both parties. Just remember, a deal is only a good deal if it benefits all involved.

    • #2585840

      A contract is an agreement between two parties….

      by rclark2 ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      In this case, you and the company who is offering it.

      It has to have a stated term to be legal. What is that term? If it is one year or less, yes you probably be downsized.

      If it is a standard employment contract, it will probably be for three to five years anyway. Unless it is totally one sided, it will give you terms for termination. Except for constructive termination, those are pretty well industry standard. If you fail to perform, or going out of business, etc.

    • #2583995

      Get excited

      by ataylor230 ·

      In reply to Should I stay or should I go?

      Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life. Take the raise. Fit in. Enjoy.Think positive. The other guy is the one who should be concerned.
      I know a guy who got a hefty raise and a 12 months contract. After 6 months they let him go but paid him for the year. Please quit worrying you have got it made.

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