Corporate Mutiny II, Electric Bugaloo

Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS)
1

There have been some interesting developments since our last update that I thought I’d share.

Our CEO made an announcement that 1) We are bringing in an executive consulting firm to review how we do business and advise how to get to the next level (operating in the black) 2) He (the CEO) will be taking a three-week vacation, during which time he will be transferring executive powers to these consultants 3) During this period, the consultants will be interviewing everyone in the company to gain insights, etc.

It’s my opinion that the CEO won’t be back from his “vacation”. I had a conversation with my boss, and he told me that when the time comes for my interview, I should try to find a way to tell the consultants about the CEO’s faults without sounding like I was criticizing (much like the ‘Brutus Speech’ suggestion in the other thread on this topic).

2

Kudos to you. This is way more drama than I would ever handle. The first part of this saga I could see, but right after having that “conversation with my boss” I’d be looking for a different job. Maybe I’m reading too much into it.

3

I think the CEO is gone, and my boss goes with him. I’m going to take a run at my bosses job if he gets booted. If, as advertised, the consultants just come in and make a bunch of recommendations and then leave, I’ll be ok with that too.

Basically, I’m in an accelerated learning environment for senior management, which is exactly what I wanted. The problems with an environment like this are numerous and obvious, but the advantages are also pretty big as well. I was thinking I’d stay a year and move on, but I’ve got a lot more I can accomplish and learn here, so I’ll probably stick around longer (unless this whole consulting engagement goes the wrong way on me, which I doubt).

But yeah, it’s a lot of drama and I’d rather not have to deal with it.

4

The consultants may be there just to see if the company is salvageable or should be sold or shut down. What you tell them may be part of that decision or it may not, but in any case, if you can see how to fix it, say so, in detail. Look forward and be objective.

5

Sounds kind of “Office Space”-ey. I’d be more worried that they are going to shit-can a bunch of people than anything else.

6

Hmm, “outplacement” like the kind of consultant George Clooney played in Up in the Air?

They’d only need one guy to tell you about your severance package, maybe a security guard too, and it would only be a one-day engagement at most.

7

He’ll be OK as long as he remembers the cover sheets on his TPS Reports.

8

Yeah, and are the consultants all named “Bob”? Is the boss named “Lumberg”?

OP, when you talk to the consultants, make sure they know what you “do”.

9

This place has a total Office space vibe to it. No doubt. It’s crossed my mind that they might be canning people, but I kind of doubt it. We’re a small company, we’ve trimmed all the fat already, and (with a couple exceptions) we’re running with highly capable and industrious people. Going to work for a startup entails these sorts of risks, so I know what I was getting myself into. Hopefully they’ll shake up or shake out the Execs and start selling the product.

10

I honestly don’t think it’s that dire a situation. Our gap to profitability isn’t huge and we have a good customer base. I think we just lack steering. And sales. :wink:

11

Yeah, we call the consultants “the Bobs”. And sadly, our 24X7 customer support line folks report to me, so I’d be Lumberg.

And Friday is Hawaiian shirt day. I think only a couple of us know the Office Space tie-in, be it should be fun

12

I always loved this scene from that movie. Sadly, I find it very easy to identify with Tom’s desperate attempts at justifying his existence. (And to the OP: good luck on the corporate changes.)

BOB SLYDELL
So what you do is you take the specifications from the customers and you bring them down to the software engineers?

TOM
That, that’s right.

BOB PORTER
Well, then I gotta ask, then why can’t the customers just take the specifications directly to the software people?

TOM
Well, uh, uh, uh, because, uh, engineers are not good at dealing with customers.

BOB SLYDELL
You physically take the specs from the customer?

TOM
Well, no, my, my secretary does that, or, or the fax.

BOB SLYDELL
Ah.

BOB PORTER
Then you must physically bring them to the software people.

TOM
Well . . . no. Yeah, I mean, sometimes.

BOB SLYDELL
Well, what would you say . . . you do here?

TOM
Well, look, I already told you; I deal with the goddamn customers so the engineers don’t have to! I have people skills! I am good at dealing with people! Can’t you understand that?!? WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?!?